About:
'The Question' by Jean-Paul Sartre, James D. Le Sueur, Henri Alleg, Ellen Ray is a powerful and unsentimental account of Henri Alleg's time as a prisoner of the French paratroopers in Algeria in 1957-1958. Alleg, marked as a communist and agitator for a free Algeria, is captured and tortured, shedding light on the brutality of the paras and the complicity of the government. The book provides a graphic description of Alleg's abuse at the hands of French troops, emphasizing the psychological and emotional effects of both the tortured and the torturer. It also delves into the themes of torture, morality, and the human psyche, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in French colonialism, human rights, and the impact of torture on individuals.
This short yet impactful book offers a raw and honest narrative that not only captures the horrors of torture but also highlights the resilience and bravery of the human spirit. Alleg's account serves as a poignant reminder of the inhumanity of torture and its long-lasting repercussions, resonating with readers across generations and cultures. The book's relevance transcends time and borders, drawing parallels between past and present instances of torture and shedding light on the ethical and moral implications of such practices.
From The Publisher:
Originally published in 1958, The Question is the book that opened the torture debate in France during Algeria's war of independence and was the first book since the eighteenth century to be banned by the French government for political reasons.
At the time of his arrest by French paratroopers during the Battle of Algiers in June of 1957, Henri Alleg was a French journalist who supported Algerian independence. He was interrogated for one month. During this imprisonment, Alleg was questioned under torture, with unbelievable brutality and sadism. The Question is Alleg's profoundly moving account of that month and of his triumph over his torturers. Jean-Paul Sartre's preface remains a relevant commentary on the moral and political effects of torture on both the victim and perpetrator.
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