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donnaadouglas's review
5.0
Since 2008, I have a complicated relationship with Morocco. I lived there, married (and divorced) and had a child with someone from there. It's a country I know well, initially as a tourist, but also on a deeper level than an expat, as I lived with Moroccans and got to know a lot of the 'real' Morocco. I love Morocco, just as I love my own country - Scotland. Both are beautiful, both have amazing qualities, but neither are perfect.
This book is accurate. I know some of these characters. Obviously not the real ones - this happened 60+ years ago - but men and women just like them. The poverty that is depicted in this novel still exists today. The misogyny that exists in this novel still exists today. The seediness that exists in this novel still exists today. The greed that exists in this novel still exists today.
I remember a discussion I had with my ex about how Morocco was depicted in a particularly controversial film that came out a few years back. He questioned the filmmaker's choice in making the film, saying that it made the country look cheap and disgusting to other countries. He didn't deny the truth of the film - he saw its accuracy, but he had issue with it being shown. I imagine he, and others, would feel the same way about this book. It does not display the Morocco of the tourist ads, with carpets and souks and medinas. It's depiction is harsh, visceral and very much real. And for me, that's the making of this book. I loved Choukri's honest (very honest!) portrayal of his younger years, and the reality of life in his country. It saddens me that not much has changed since then.
This book is accurate. I know some of these characters. Obviously not the real ones - this happened 60+ years ago - but men and women just like them. The poverty that is depicted in this novel still exists today. The misogyny that exists in this novel still exists today. The seediness that exists in this novel still exists today. The greed that exists in this novel still exists today.
I remember a discussion I had with my ex about how Morocco was depicted in a particularly controversial film that came out a few years back. He questioned the filmmaker's choice in making the film, saying that it made the country look cheap and disgusting to other countries. He didn't deny the truth of the film - he saw its accuracy, but he had issue with it being shown. I imagine he, and others, would feel the same way about this book. It does not display the Morocco of the tourist ads, with carpets and souks and medinas. It's depiction is harsh, visceral and very much real. And for me, that's the making of this book. I loved Choukri's honest (very honest!) portrayal of his younger years, and the reality of life in his country. It saddens me that not much has changed since then.
jooogm's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
5.0
An insight into a life we'd have never had if it wasn't for Choukri. Historic relevance.
stusahn's review
3.0
For Bread Alone is gritty and frank account of the author’s destitute upbringing after his family escapes famine in the Rif. The first half of the book was tedious to read because of Choukri’s almost constant depiction of his pubescent fantasies, but once he escapes his father’s abusive hold and moves to Tangier to fend for himself, he begins to reflect on life and discover himself with several adventures along the way. In the backdrop of Moroccan independence struggles, third-wordlist revolutions, and the nakba, the book gives glimpses into the definitive moment. Eventually Choukri’s desire to improve himself through education sparks, but he remains honest and confident in his upbringing and flaws.
argimiro's review against another edition
5.0
Brutal. Crua. Autobiogràfica. Imprescindible para conocer el universo magrebí.
batooli's review
reflective
fast-paced
2.0
Quite reductive and was far too vulgar at times. Choukri did not explore the emotional aspects of the book in enough depth (perhaps this was done purposefully). That being said the political aspects of the book were incredibly interesting.
lesbianwolves's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
3.75
As a narrative, it's great--harrowing and strange. As a translation, though, it's not the best. Choukri's thesis is about literacy as a power that pulled him from the confusing squalor of poverty and gave him access to his own soul, but Bowles' body of work (esp. his translations of oral Maghrebi stories) centered around romanticizing illiteracy.
Choukri writes about his illiterate childhood and adolescence as a horror, but in his translator's preface Bowles talks about how Choukri was lucky to grow up with "an illiterate mind." It's just disrespectful!
I hope that one day a different translator will revisit this book. (Maybe even someone who actually knows MSA!)
Choukri writes about his illiterate childhood and adolescence as a horror, but in his translator's preface Bowles talks about how Choukri was lucky to grow up with "an illiterate mind." It's just disrespectful!
I hope that one day a different translator will revisit this book. (Maybe even someone who actually knows MSA!)
kasso972's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0