Izas, rabizas y colipoterras

"Izas, rabizas y colipoterras is perhaps the best known of [Cela's] non-fiction books, noted both for its scalding text and the fine photographs of Juan Colom. ... Izas was one of Editorial Lumen's most controversial books, due entirely to its erotic content, which brought it much condemnation. Characteristically, Cela's text is brutal and frankly ribald. Colom's pictures are of prostitutes in the Raval, the Chinese quarter of Barcelona. Colom was making an extensive documentation of this old, raffish Barcelona district at the time, and was reportedly annoyed that Lumen only used his images of the area's prostitutes, but they are wonderfully evocative, memorable and unified as a group. He photographs his subjects without prurient leering, or passing judgement; they are ruthlessly observed and wholly devoid of cheap sentimentality, yet entirely sympathetic. By combining body shape with gesture, he manages to evoke character and individuality ..."--The Photobook : A History Volume I / Martin Parr and Gerry Badger. London : Phaidon, 2004.