Author Mohamed Amine Ben Hlel Unveils Debut Novel "La Cave d'Al Hafsia"
Genre-Bending Literature: A Blend of Magical Realism and Thriller
Mohamed Amine Ben Hlel, a writer and journalist, makes his literary debut with his first novel, "La Cave d'Al Hafsia" (The Cave of Al Hafsia), published by Cérès editions. The book was unveiled on May 3 at the International Book Fair in Tunis, with a signing event scheduled for May 8 at Librairie Al Kitab in Mutuelleville.
Ben Hlel began writing his novel before the COVID-19 pandemic, gradually giving it shape through a process of writing, revisions, and edits. "I read a lot of books and watched movies to nourish my imagination," he explains. "Once I finished, I submitted it to Cérès, who liked it and refined it to produce the final version."
For Ben Hlel, writing is a means of expression, allowing him to address unresolved questions and give voice to those whose stories remain untold.
Inspiration from a Marginal Character
The novel is inspired by a unique individual, a marginal character who spent his days at a local café. "We would meet every day for a half-hour," Ben Hlel recalls. "There were people from different backgrounds: an attorney, a doctor, a retiree... and then this person who stood out. He had behaviors that were outside the law, but everyone liked him. He didn't need money because he came from a wealthy family, but he chose a different path."
The story takes place in Al Hafsia, particularly in a real boxing hall, anchoring the fiction in a familiar and emotionally charged territory. Ben Hlel explores major themes, including love, justice, merit, and excellence.
Genre-Bending Style
Ben Hlel identifies his literary style as hybrid, blending elements of magical realism and thriller to tell the stories of individuals who were denied justice in life and return from the afterlife to reclaim their fragments. Through these characters, he lends his voice to those who have been silenced by the system.
The 145-page novel revolves around the central character, Saïd Radhi, a man with a chaotic existence who decides to change his life dramatically. This turning point leads him to cross paths with three ghosts, each with a tragic past, who share their stories with him.
Don't Miss the Signing Event
Join Mohamed Amine Ben Hlel for a signing event on May 8 at 17h30 at Librairie Al Kitab in Mutuelleville.
