The history of French colonialism in Algeria can be traced back to 1830 when the country was invaded by the Kingdom of France. After 132 years of colonial presence in the region, the country gained independence in July 1962. Set in Algiers following this declaration, Bey’s characters grapple with a changing country, one bent on pushing out and eradicating the impacts of over a century spent under French rule and embracing Arab unity in the formation of a codified nation state. I