CRITICS OF MYSTERY MARVEL is the debut full-length poetry collection by Youssef Alaoui, which delves into the complexities of human relationships across individuals, cultures, races, and genders. Alaoui skillfully employs archaic tones to create a unique artistic approach to metaphor in his verses, crafting vivid images that exist primarily in the imagination rather than on the page. This collection is divided into ten sections that reflect on Alaoui's family and heritage, serving as a rich source of inspiration for his diverse, dark, spiritual, and sensual writings. He weaves together elements of surrealism, magical realism, and linguistic transformation as he examines themes of love, gender, poverty, politics, racism, and war. Some poems are presented in French and Spanish, with translations into English. Drawing from post-beat influences in the San Francisco Bay area and Big Sur, CRITICS OF MYSTERY MARVEL offers poetry that resonates deeply, illuminating the soul with its metaphorical brilliance.