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Mohamed Choukri

Streetwise

In his early twenties Choukri takes the momentous decision to learn to read and write, and joins a children's class at the local state school in Tangier. When not at school he hangs out in cafés, drinking and smoking kif. Some nights he sleeps in a doss-house, but mostly he sleeps in mosques or on the street. He befriends many 'lowlife' characters, while the café habitués help him with his Arabic and the local prostitutes take him home, providing some human solace. Choukri's determination to educate himself, and his compassion for those with whom he shares his life on the streets is heartfelt and inspirational. 'As a writer, he is in an enviable position, though he paid a high price for it in suffering.' — Paul Bowles 'Choukri's irrepressible, ultimately indomitable spirit is most touching and human.' — The Independent 'Choukri is a powerful teller of stories. His telling of oppression is vivid and remarkable.' — Morning Star
188 printed pages
Copyright owner
Bookwire
Original publication
2012
Publication year
2012
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Impressions

  • louna2707shared an impression8 years ago
    💩Utter Crap

Quotes

  • Christian Jensen Kværndruphas quoted3 years ago
    This is life in the time of mistakes. I had been polluted by the night of the streets. Even the decent crazies on the streets have disappeared.
  • Christian Jensen Kværndruphas quoted3 years ago
    trap was being set for me – that was my first thought. But I decided to move into the hotel anyway, spurred by curiosity and a devil-may-care recklessness.
  • Galina Mironovahas quoted7 years ago
    They don’t use firewood for heating. And they always bolt even their windows. And every door has an eye in the middle of it, like the eye of a dead fish. Who can bring himself to knock on their doors?

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