The Most Secret Memory of Men, this notable literary mystery by Mohamed Mbougar Sarr, won the Prix Goncourt—France’s celebrated book prize—in 2021. Prix Goncourt describes the book as “A gripping detective novel without a detective and a haunting investigation into the life of a mysterious author who disappeared without a trace.” Sarr is the first writer from sub-Saharan Africa to receive this prestigious award.
Sarr’s novel The Most Secret Memory of Men tells the story of Diégane Latyr Faye’s obsession with T. C. Elimane, a Black author who achieved literary success with his 1938 novel, The Labyrinth of Humanity, but then vanished when the critics accused him of plagiarism in his book. Elimane’s award-winning novel is also nowhere to be found. His star status on the literary front is no mean achievement, given the racism that existed in literary circles in the late 1930s in Paris.
Critics of Sarr’s work have noted that his story appears to pay homage to author Malian novelist Yambo Ouologuem, whose 1968 novel, Bound to Violence won the notable Renaudot Prize. Like Sarr’s elusive Elimane, Ouologuem was the first African to be honored with such a literary award. He, too, disappeared when he was accused of plagiarism.
“Reading this novel felt like entering a hall of mirrors or an odd dream.”
Mohammed Mbougar Sarr uses many literary devices to create a labyrinth himself as he takes the reader on a journey to find Elimane that seems to have no end. Reading this novel felt like entering a hall of mirrors or an odd dream. What seemed to be wasn’t; what wasn’t was. What was up was down and the reverse was also true. Sarr employs one paradox after the other, which underscores his intent on keeping us guessing, not only about Elimane but also about writers who are feted, their works, and their critics. Especially about Black writers, from former French colonies. Their work is too often met with disbelief, as if they have to cheat to reach literary heights.
Just as Faye finds himself on a wild goose chase to find the answer to Elimane’s disappearance, travelling from one continent to another and back again, so does the reader. As Faye continues his search for the elusive Elimane, he encounters the author’s friends, family, and lovers who offer clues to his whereabouts. We learn about his complicated family history and the question of his paternity. Two brothers loved his mother. We learn about their rivalries, their loves, and their fighting spirit, as one brother leaves to fight for France during World War II.
At times, I felt Sarr was mocking the reader as well as critics of literary fiction, with his tongue-in-cheek storytelling. But, given the colonial history in Africa, who could blame him? The Most Secret Memory of Men left me wondering how Sarr came up with this title. It’s as baffling as Elimane’s disappearance and Faye’s convoluted search for the elusive author. Still, I found myself entertained, not only by the story but also by the author’s wit. There are more than a number of laugh-out-loud sections. The question Faye poses to himself and the reader appears to be the question Sarr is posing in the publishing world: What’s race got to do with it?
Mohamed Mbougar Sarr was born in Dakar, Senegal, in 1990. He studied literature and philosophy at L’École des hautes études en sciences sociales in Paris. Brotherhood, his first novel, won the Grand Prix du Roman Métis, the Prix Ahmadou-Kourouma, and the French Voices Grand Prize. The president of Senegal named him a Chevalier of the National Order of Merit. In 2021, he won the Prix Goncourt for The Most Secret Memory of Men, becoming the first author from sub-Saharan Africa to win the award and one of the youngest at only thirty-one years old. The novel was also longlisted for the National Book Awards in the category of Translated Literature.
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster (Sept. 26 2023)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 496 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1668005689
- ISBN-13 : 978-1668005682
Diana Stevan likes to joke she’s a Jill of all trades as she’s worked as a family therapist, teacher, librarian, model, actress and sports reporter for CBC television. She’s the author of five novels and a novelette.
Her novels cross genres: A Cry from the Deep, a romantic mystery/adventure; The Rubber Fence, women’s fiction; and Lukia’s Family Saga series, historical/biographical fiction. Based on her Ukrainian grandmother's family’s life in Russia and in Canada, the series is a trilogy covering the years 1915-1943: Sunflowers Under Fire, Lilacs in the Dust Bowl, and Paper Roses on Stony Mountain.
When Diana isn’t writing, she loves to garden, travel, and read. With their two daughters grown, she lives with her husband Robert on Vancouver Island and West Vancouver, British Columbia.