The first English translation of one of the novels that helped change modern Arab literatureMohamed Choukri one of the most important writers of modern Moroccan literature grew up in extreme poverty in Tangier and was illiterate until the age of twenty. After learning to read he realized that writing could also be a way to expose to protest against those who have stolen my childhood my teenagehood and a piece of my youthfulness. His vivid portrayals of marginalized people which had been considered taboo led to the censorship of his work and a cultural backlash in the Middle East.In Faces the third book in his trilogy of fictionalized autobiographical works he describes gritty events extreme poverty prostitution violence sexual revelry deprivation and abuse.