Mohamed Choukri's seminal autobiography, 'For Bread Alone,' offers an unflinching and visceral portrayal of his harrowing childhood in poverty-stricken Morocco. Set in the mid-20th century, the book chronicles his desperate struggle for survival amidst destitution, hunger, crime, and social decay in Tangier. It vividly depicts a world without formal education, where the protagonist navigates life through sheer instinct and resilience, engaging in petty theft, prostitution, and various illicit activities to simply stay alive. A powerful and controversial work, it provides a raw and honest look at the harsh realities faced by many and remains a landmark in modern Arab literature for its candid exploration of themes often considered taboo.