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palwashahere's review
4.0
Manto knew how to write, you have to give him that.
This was my first time reading him and I think this collection is the right place to start from.
Five of the stories were 5 star reads for me the rest 4 or 3.
This was my first time reading him and I think this collection is the right place to start from.
Five of the stories were 5 star reads for me the rest 4 or 3.
muhuhu's review
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
palwasha_here's review
4.0
Manto knew how to write, you have to give him that.
This was my first time reading him and I think this collection is the right place to start from.
Five of the stories were 5 star reads for me the rest 4 or 3.
This was my first time reading him and I think this collection is the right place to start from.
Five of the stories were 5 star reads for me the rest 4 or 3.
pinkballoon100's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rsyngh's review
3.0
I had quite some expectations for this book as the back cover of the book lauds him as the forgotten but greatest short story writer of the Indian subcontinent.
The book did (almost) deliver that promise as the stories were precise i.e. captured the essence of what he wanted to be conveyed in the exact amount .
Manto was not concerned with giving a 'moral of the story' or a happy ending just for the sake of it.
But I did feel something to be missing in these stories. Its hard to pinpoint what but there was something not there .Maybe its my immaturity or maybe future rereads will give me that missing thing . So when I was done with the book , there was a sense of something lacking in reading it.
The book did (almost) deliver that promise as the stories were precise i.e. captured the essence of what he wanted to be conveyed in the exact amount .
Manto was not concerned with giving a 'moral of the story' or a happy ending just for the sake of it.
But I did feel something to be missing in these stories. Its hard to pinpoint what but there was something not there .Maybe its my immaturity or maybe future rereads will give me that missing thing . So when I was done with the book , there was a sense of something lacking in reading it.
arundathic's review
5.0
I have started really enjoying short stories recently, in part because of my shortened attention span and in part because some of them can be really really good.
In all of the stories, the focus was on the people. What he chooses to explore is what goes on in their minds and this appealed to me a lot. I especially enjoyed the stories that were set during the freedom struggle and partition, they were written from a perspective that isn't usually talked about.
Also, in the part where they talked about the author, I came to know he is called one of India's best short story writers and I don't know whether the fact that I hear about him only very recently says more about me or about the way we are taught English.
In all of the stories, the focus was on the people. What he chooses to explore is what goes on in their minds and this appealed to me a lot. I especially enjoyed the stories that were set during the freedom struggle and partition, they were written from a perspective that isn't usually talked about.
Also, in the part where they talked about the author, I came to know he is called one of India's best short story writers and I don't know whether the fact that I hear about him only very recently says more about me or about the way we are taught English.
lyallpur_kahani's review
3.0
I've read a few stories of Manto before, have experienced his thoughts visually as well through movies and it always left me in awe. Stories written decades ago are still prevalent, if I say in a much more normalized way it wouldn't be wrong.
I didn't enjoy this translation GOD knows why maybe because the stories lost their essence in the translation process as this translated version stands out as bland & boring to me. If it were in Urdu my ratings would've been different for it. I love how Manto writes and his boldness to express the issues which were & still are considered taboo.
I didn't enjoy this translation GOD knows why maybe because the stories lost their essence in the translation process as this translated version stands out as bland & boring to me. If it were in Urdu my ratings would've been different for it. I love how Manto writes and his boldness to express the issues which were & still are considered taboo.
lovelifeandbeyond's review
4.0
I am not a big fan of short stories and the only ones I've read are by O Henry and Poe. I am so glad that I came across this book because the stories were riveting. He has a twist at the end that leaves you in wonder. His views are progressive and many of his thoughts are relevant even today
sridevi93's review
5.0
Manto truly has a way with words. His stories were written over 60 years ago and yet (in some cases, sadly) still hold relevance to today's world. His stories on Partition and the Independence movement (Toba Tek Singh, Khol Do, The Dog of Tithwal, Ram Khilavan, For Freedom) provides a unique lens into the trauma and pain during this time period. His other stories provide a glimpse into the Bombay of the 1930s-40s in a way that I have not found in other contemporary South Asian writers.
My favorites:
-Toba Tek Singh (classic; been assigned in every South Asia history class I've been in)
-Khol Do (heartbreaking)
-Ten Rupees
-Licence
Also really appreciated Aatish Taseer's introduction discussing the political divide between Urdu and Hindi as well as an insight into translating Manto's works into English.
My favorites:
-Toba Tek Singh (classic; been assigned in every South Asia history class I've been in)
-Khol Do (heartbreaking)
-Ten Rupees
-Licence
Also really appreciated Aatish Taseer's introduction discussing the political divide between Urdu and Hindi as well as an insight into translating Manto's works into English.