Streetwise by Mohamed Choukri
Having taken the momentous decision to learn to read and write when in his early 20s, Choukri joins a children's class at the local state school in Tangier. Here, he leads a life of desperate poverty. In order to survive, he does a bit of everything. When not at school, he hangs out in cafes, drinking and smoking kif (it's cheaper than cigarettes). On the days that he has a few coins in his pocket, he can afford a primitive doss-house, otherwise he sleeps in mosques or on the street. A wide range of "low-life" characters befriend him - the cafe habitues (some of whom are intellectuals and educated men) help him with his Arabic and widen his horizons; the local prostitutes take him home and provide a modicum of shelter and human warmth. On two occasions, he ends up in a mental hospital - the second time because he tries to kill a man who attempts to rape him. Another traumatic event is the long-drawn-out death of his mother, at which time Choukri returns to his village. This book is the second part of an autobiography of Mohamed Choukri, one of North Africa's most respected authors. Throughout his trials and vicissitudes, two things shine through - Choukri's determination to use literacy to rise above the cruel hand fate has dealt him, and his compassion for his fellow human beings who share this life of "the lowest of the low". Mohamed Choukri is the author of "For Bread Alone".
Mohamed Choukri is one of North Africa's most controversial and widely read authors. This poignant autobiographical novel, which spans the 1960s and '70s (together with his previous novel, For Bread Alone), ranks among the best works of contemporary Arabic literature.Choukri died of cancer in 2003.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780863560453 |
| ISBN 10 | 0863560458 |
| Title | Streetwise |
| Author | Mohamed Choukri |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Saqi Books |
| Year published | 2000-09-01 |
| Number of pages | 165 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |