Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of What the Day Owes the Night
Historical Fiction· Algeria

What the Day Owes the Night

by Yasmina Khadra
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 2008French
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

Yasmina Khadra's What the Day Owes the Night (2008) stands as one of the most significant works of historical fiction of its era. 'What the Day Owes the Night' by Yasmina Khadra is a sweeping historical novel set against the backdrop of Algeria's struggle for independence. The story follows Younes, a young boy whose life is shaped by the cultural and political upheavals of the time. Through its rich narrative and evocative portrayal of love and loss, the novel captures the complexities of identity and the enduring impact of history. Themes of identity, independence, love run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorYasmina Khadra
Published2008
Country of Origin🇩🇿 Algeria
LanguageFrench
Category🗺️ Historical Fiction
ISBN978-0099523773
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

🗺️ Historical Fiction

Novels set in the past, blending real events with fictional narratives.

Explore all Historical Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇩🇿 Algeria

This book is part of Algeria's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Algeria →

Editorial Assessment

Yasmina Khadra published What the Day Owes the Night in 2008, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of historical fiction from Algeria. The book's treatment of identity, independence, love, loss accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Critics and institutions have consistently placed What the Day Owes the Night among the notable works of its period. Our aggregate score of 30/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. Readers coming to What the Day Owes the Night for the first time will find a work that rewards patience. The book's handling of identity, independence, love, loss is layered rather than didactic, and a second reading often reveals dimensions the first pass only hinted at. Yasmina Khadra's role in the literature of Algeria is well established. What the Day Owes the Night can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Guardian 100 Best Novels
notable · global
20100
✍️
About the Author
Yasmina Khadra
Algeria
View Author →

Yasmina Khadra is a Algeria author whose work in historical fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

The Tribe Manager
The Leadership Companion
The Tribe Manager
Leading People the Way Evolution Intended
Manage with human nature, you get loyalty. Manage against it, you get quiet quitting.
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of Midnight's Children
literary-fiction

Midnight's Children

Salman Rushdie· 1981
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The God of Small Things
literary-fiction

The God of Small Things

Arundhati Roy· 1997
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of Wolf Hall
historical-fiction

Wolf Hall

Hilary Mantel· 2009
★Booker Prize★Costa Book Award
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Tin Drum
literary-fiction

The Tin Drum

Günter Grass· 1999
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score98/100
Cover of Celestial Bodies
literary-fiction

Celestial Bodies

Jokha Alharthi· 2010
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score93/100
Cover of A Brief History of Seven Killings
literary-fiction

A Brief History of Seven Killings

Marlon James· 2015
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score89/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is What the Day Owes the Night about?

'What the Day Owes the Night' by Yasmina Khadra is a sweeping historical novel set against the backdrop of Algeria's struggle for independence. The story follows Younes, a young boy whose life is shaped by the cultural and political upheavals of the time. Through its rich narrative and evocative portrayal of love and loss, the novel captures the complexities of identity and the enduring impact of history.

Who wrote What the Day Owes the Night?

What the Day Owes the Night was written by Yasmina Khadra, from Algeria. First published in 2008.

What awards has What the Day Owes the Night won?

What the Day Owes the Night has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is What the Day Owes the Night worth reading?

What the Day Owes the Night is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in identity, independence, love.

Where can I buy What the Day Owes the Night?

You can buy What the Day Owes the Night on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is What the Day Owes the Night?

What the Day Owes the Night is classified as Historical Fiction. Novels set in the past, blending real events with fictional narratives.

What country is What the Day Owes the Night from?

What the Day Owes the Night originates from Algeria's literary tradition. Explore more books from Algeria on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

🗺️More Historical FictionBrowse all Historical Fiction books🇩🇿Books from Algeria🇩🇿 Algeria literature📅2000s BooksPublished in the 2000s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time