If you are Moroccan or North African, you'll love this book. It was particularly eye-opening for me as a Moroccan born & bought up in London to read about the poverty and hardships Mohamed Choukri faced as a young man trying to find his way in Tangiers.
There are many funny parts to this book as well and you always have the feeling that he'll be alright.
I loved this book & have read it twice, its a book that makes me feel full of hope. Mohamed Choukri has come through these hardships, dealt with the death of his sisters, educated himself and is a great role-model for any young man in Morocco today.
I would strongly reccommend this book to anyone.