Waciny Laredj revisits the legendary 19th-century Algerian love story of Hizia and Sa'id. This is not a simple retelling; the novel deconstructs the myth, weaving together history, poetry, and raw emotion. Through a chorus of voices, Laredj explores a forbidden love crushed by rigid traditions and tribal conflict. He challenges the romanticized version of Hizia's death, searching for a more complex and human truth behind the legend. It's a powerful exploration of passion, loss, and the eternal struggle between desire and societal chains, offering a haunting look into Algeria's cultural soul.