Abibou Diouf's Debut Novel 'L'âge de déplaire' Challenges Senegalese Traditions

Senegalese author Abibou Diouf has published his first novel, 'L'âge de déplaire', with French publisher Albin Michel. The book follows Fadel, a thirtysomething headhunter in Paris who returns to Dakar after his father's death. There, he confronts the weight of patriarchy, religion, and virilism while navigating his role as the younger son in a family dominated by his elder brother Malick. Fadel is viewed by his relatives as a 'francenabé'—a Senegalese who has adopted French values over traditional ones. Diouf, who was born in Senegal and now lives in France, draws on his own experiences to craft a sharp narrative that questions traditions without dismissing cultural heritage. The novel is written in a direct, efficient, and precise style. Diouf discussed the book on RFI's program 'Sur le pont des arts', hosted by Nathalie Amar. The broadcast also featured Agnès Cornelie of the Calypso bookstore presenting Magali Bessone's 'Ce que nous devons à Haïti', and Solène Gardré's interview with Lebanese choreographer Yassine Khouloud about the performance 'Drill Baby Drill' at the Théâtre de la Bastille in Paris. The day's playlist included Alune Wade featuring Hindi Zahra with 'No One Like You' and Taylor Swift's 'The Fate of Ophelia'.