Banlieue et dystopie en littérature urbaine : les cas de Zone cinglée et de René

Abstract

The relationship between the city and its outskirts are at the core of urban literature, a literary trend which appeared after the 2005 riots in France. This literature tackles various themes, including urban policies and daily life on the outskirts of Paris. Two recently published novels, Zone cinglée (2009) and René (2012), offer a rather pessimistic vision of the future of the French peripheries by focusing on failed urban policies and problems linked to urban segregation which are prevailing in both novels. Dystopia, a popular genre in literature and film in times of political trouble, allows the two authors to draw an alarming portrait of life in the banlieues while warning the reader about potential dangers in contemporary French society.

Keywords

• urban literature
• ghetto
• dystopia
• hip-hop
• urbanism
• Kaoutar Harchi