Streetwise

Streetwise follows Muhammad Shukri's early life in Morocco during the 1950s-60s, picking up where his previous memoir For Bread Alone left off. The narrative chronicles his determined pursuit of education and literacy as a young man in Tangier. Through stark autobiographical storytelling, Shukri recounts his navigation of poverty, hunger, and the complexities of Moroccan society during a time of political transition. His experiences range from working menial jobs to learning to read and write at age 20. The book documents the author's encounters with both locals and foreign visitors in Tangier's international zone, capturing the city's unique cultural dynamics during this period. Shukri details his relationships with writers, artists, and the various characters who populated the cafes and streets. This memoir stands as an exploration of survival, self-determination, and the transformative power of education against a backdrop of social inequality. The narrative examines how literacy and learning can reshape one's place in society.

Readers describe this memoir as raw and unflinching in its portrayal of street life in Tangier. Reviews emphasize the stark, matter-of-fact writing style and lack of self-pity in depicting poverty and survival. Readers appreciate: - The unvarnished portrayal of 1940s Morocco - Clear, direct prose despite translation from Arabic - Cultural insights into post-colonial Tangier - Documentation of social issues that persist today Common criticisms: - Some scenes are too graphic and disturbing - The narrative can feel disjointed - Translation issues in certain editions Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (48 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Pulls no punches about the realities of poverty and child exploitation" - Goodreads "Important but difficult to read due to content" - Amazon review "The raw honesty sets it apart from sanitized poverty narratives" - LibraryThing

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🌟 Muhammad Shukri learned to read and write at age 20, yet went on to become one of Morocco's most celebrated authors 📚 The book was originally written in Arabic under the title "Al-Khubz Al-Hafi" (الخبز الحافي), which literally means "barefoot bread" 🚫 The book was banned in Morocco until 2000, nearly 30 years after its initial publication, due to its frank depictions of poverty, sexuality, and social issues ✍️ The English translation by Paul Bowles took five years to complete, with Shukri telling his story in Moroccan Arabic, which Bowles translated to Spanish and then to English 🌍 The memoir chronicles Shukri's experiences as a homeless child in Tangier during the 1940s, providing a raw glimpse into Morocco's post-colonial period and urban poverty