Voted best novel of 2008 by France Televisions and  RTL-Lire

What the Day Owes the Night is an epic love story with the Algerian Civil War as its backdrop.

We first meet Younes as a 9-year-old Algerian boy from an impoverished family. His father gives Younes away to his brother, a wealthy pharmacist with a wife of French heritage, so that he'll have the chance to be educated and lead a better life. They change his name to Jonas so that, along with his light skin and blue eyes, he will integrate more easily with the European descendants in their community.

He forges a unique friendship with a group of boys who become like brothers to him as they grow into teenagers and then men, until the arrival of Emilie -- a beautiful, beguiling young woman who captures the hearts of all who see her. Jonas's love for her is forbidden, but he cannot explain to her the reasons why. Emily is devestated and ends up marrying one of his friends.

Then the Civil War erupts and everyone's lives are thrown into turmoil. Jonas, who has spent his life caught between two worlds, is pressured to pick a side despite his hopes of remaining neutral in this conflict. After the war ends and those of French heritage, like Emilie, are forced back to France, Jonas hopes that somehow the time has come for them to be together at last.