Review of Mélanie MATARESE (2024): Comment la France a (encore) perdu l’Algérie, Les Presses de la Cité

Abstract

Mélanie Matarese's book examines the recurrent tensions in Franco-Algerian relations. Although the colonial past is invoked each time, it is not the only factor contributing to the differences between the two countries. The author questions the persistence of fixed perceptions influenced by stereotypes. The need of French political parties to exploit relations with Algiers in a context marked by the rise of the extreme right contributes to the poisoning of relations.