Qissa of Bibi in Black Burqa and Forty Men

by Afsar Ahmed, Kathakali Jana (Translator)

Qissa of Bibi in Black Burqa and Forty Men
A Poetic Journey of Memory, Womanhood, and Mystical Resistance

For readers of Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things and Elif Shafak’s The Forty Rules of Love, comes a bold and poetic exploration of memory, womanhood, and inner transformation.
This Indian magical realism novel blends fiction of mystical resistance with lyrical prose, offering a rare journey through the symbolic and emotional.

Bibi walks cloaked not just in a black burqa, but in veils of emotion, silence, and stories untold.
Her path intersects with forty archetypal male figures—each representing love, power, longing, trauma, and healing. What unfolds is a collection of South Asian literary fiction that is deeply introspective, stylistically experimental, and emotionally rich.

Rooted in the cadence of traditional qissas, the narrative moves with a quiet rhythm, evoking dreamlike transitions where past and present blend.
As Bibi navigates inner landscapes filled with memory and myth, the book reflects on what it means to be a woman in a world of watching eyes, quiet resistance, and buried truths.

This feminist literary fiction is not just symbolic—it’s alive with metaphors drawn from South Asian traditions and psychological fiction by Indian authors.
Written in poetic, luminous language, Qissa of Bibi in Black Burqa and Forty Men belongs on the shelves of readers seeking books about inner journeys, strong female characters, and magical realism fiction rooted in cultural identity.

176 pages, Paperback

Published May 16, 2025

Reviews

[Ranadip Roy Chowdhury · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first time I read one of the works of Afsar Ahmed. I liked the writing style. It was quite easy and engaging. The chapters are of moderate length.

The story revolves around Rehana, who has been recently married to her third husband, Kalam. After the marriage, she gets to know the secret that her in-laws kept from her and her family. Her husband is a madman.
After two failed marriages, Rehana's expectations were not high. Because he is insane, her husband allows her to be free of the constraints of being an obedient housewife.

However, things do not remain this easy for long. After some time, her husband appears to be cured. And now he makes his wife to wear a burqa whenever she leaves the house.
Amid all, Rehana finds her own happiness. She is completely alone underneath the black cover. She enters another world where no one knows who she is.

The story addresses a variety of social issues, including extramarital love and patriarchy.
The story demonstrates how society treats women as if they are objects to be possessed rather than people.

The story leaves us with some questions about our society. It causes us to reconsider our definitions of freedom, love, sanity, and most importantly, the free will of women tied by the bonds of sacred marriage.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading literary fiction.

4 stars

[Annesha Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Qissa of Bibi in Black Burqa and Forty Men" is a translated work of Afsar Ahmed who probes the picture of rigid structure of identity and gender scenery where Rehana, the protagonist as a bibi explores her hidden burial of desires under the attire of Burqa out of pain and atrocities she endures in her marraige.

The story of Rehana is something I find uncanny who discovers freedom in her third marriage with a lunatic husband after first two marriages which did not last long, due to the abusive nature of husbands. Finding solace and savoring pleasure of having married a madman, she starts to like her marriage. But her freedom serves as a matter of fleeting hug to heaven while alive.

The fragrance of flower determine the main twist in the story which portrays the woman’s struggle to follow their own norms and the sexual assault faced by a woman in the house of in-laws.

The portrayal of forty men serves not just as a congest of mere characters but as a metaphor for the collective weight of male authority in the patriarchal society that defines and confines her existence. Afsar Ahmed through the context of a pervasive cultural machinery crafts the narration with playful tone to capture the suppressed voices.

Apart from that, this book speaks more of an uncomfortable truths of a traditional culture. The elements of hypocracy, misogyny, religious conservatism, and societal complicity have been denoted throughout the waves of the life of Rehana. There are some parts which is not easy for me to engulf since the constant haunting and unsettling dilemmas distracted my mind to take this as a fictional story.

[Palak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Qissa of Bibi in Black Burqa and Forty Men has been translated from Bengali by Kathakali Jana. So, this incredible narrative delves into numerous themes and allows the readers to dive into the story of a woman, Rehana, who tends to navigate the complexities of social expectations. We witness how, in the flames of love and madness towards the center of the story, her tumultuous life is woven into context as she marries a madman. The story touches all the societal norms and expectations that are often imposed on women, particularly through the symbolism of the black burqa. ‘The black burqa’ in the story signifies oppression and is often taken as a symbol that tends to highlight the cloak of anonymity, which eventually allows Rehana to exert her agency due to the revolving circumstances. It is a very important tool for shaping the story, as it enables Rehana to navigate public spaces without getting caught; it also allows her to engage in romantic escapades, which never come into direct reproach, as the burqa acts as a cover and conceals her identity with what she portrays to the society. Light has been thrown on freedom and subjugation too. We see that the burqa, which was earlier a symbol of concealment, becomes a symbol of constraints and freedom along with liberation. Rehana's internal struggles are what highlight the complexities of female desire in a patriarchal frame, so Qisa of Bibi in a Black Burqa is a rich exploration of women's quest for identity, how society perceives them, societal norms, societal constraints, autonomy, and her own tumultuous relationships, along with a constant struggle for finding her own identity. The story poses a critical question about freedom for all the readers, as in what masks people wear these days to navigate real life, so we see that when we follow Rehana's life, she is a woman draped in a black burqa who wants to navigate social norms and limitations of society, environment, and particularly her relations with other men, yet she finds herself the center of attention among several men in the market because they are drawn to her due to her beauty, charm, and fragrance, despite the restrictions that are imposed on women these days. When we talk about Rehana's secret life, we come to a conclusion that under the burqa, Rehana enjoys the freedom to live her life without social expectations, norms, and flirts without the fear of judgment, as her identity is concealed. The burqa and perception play the most important role in the story, as it acts as a sword for Rehana wherein she serves both as a shield and as a medium of individuality to embrace herself without direct confrontation. Although, when we talk about cultural tensions, we see that the presence of men who tend to follow her creates tension in Rehana's married life with Kalam. The climax throws light on the tension between respect and desire, which leads to a humorous and tragic outcome because the community witnesses a love story that is decorated with societal commentary. Societal commentary plays an important role here because the perceptions, illusions, thoughts, and the narrative are affected a lot by it. So, in this narrative, we follow the story of Rehana, wrapped not only in a black burqa but also in societal norms. When we look at it through the lens of patriarchy, we realize that it symbolizes the challenges that women often face in their lives. We look at the expectations of love and rejection here. So we see how the story depicts societal pressures, expectations, and norms, whereas women often wear a mask as a result of subjugation. Rehana's life has always been complicated, and the portrayal of dance between love and rejection depicts the change in her life when she is in a personal conflict with the truth.

[Piyush · Rating 5 out of 5]

“My mad husband is the one I want,” the book suggests, as if only when her husband is away can a woman move a little closer to liberty.
Afsar Ahmed in his Qissa of Bibi in Black Burqa and Forty Men breaks away from the obsolete ways of storytelling and creates a complex yet simple juxtaposition of situations that reflect the state of women. But what does it really mean for Rehana to take pleasure in marrying a lunatic? The book twists this idea showing that it is not frightening at all. A man that she married who is called a lunatic or “pagol” and because of him being a lunatic he can’t confront his wife with injustice, could not use violence, does not rape her on the first wedding night. Here Ahmed turns society on its head: the only way man can stop violence and subjugation of women is when he is lunatic.
In the case of Rehana, her third husband Kalam is revealed to be a lunatic, a fact hidden from her and her family at the time of marriage. This secret works as a mirror of society itself, where the true nature of a man is often only unfolded to a woman after marriage. Like Rehana, Kalam too has a history of failed marriages, and the book leaves us with difficult questions: did those women go back to their homes and choose another “sane” husband who could oppress them? Or is Kalam’s lunacy merely a ruse, another trap that will pull Rehana in an even more troubled situation?
There’s also one realisation a reader might have right from the beginning: how do you compensate a woman who has been cheated? In Rehana’s case, her in-laws attempt it by not interfering with her freedom. But then, is freedom for a woman just a form of compensation for betrayal? Her in-laws are not driven by guilt, nor are they feminist in any sense. They are simply ashamed of their lunatic son, and so their way of making amends or giving justice is by not treating Rehana like an object or a slave.
Ahmed also invokes the concept of extra-marital love, but in an entirely different light. Is it really illegitimate to love someone other than your husband, when the only thing he demands from you is obedience? Here, the book talks about or rather unfolds the conventional morality and exposes the hollowness behind what society calls “legitimate” love.
In all this, Ahmed’s satire is sharp, he manages to turn what seems absurd into a mirror of the ordinary, forcing the reader to pause and ask uncomfortable questions about marriage, freedom, and the fragile line between sanity and cruelty.
In the end, Qissa of Bibi in Black Burqa and Forty Men is not a story that gives answers, but one that unsettles the reader with its questions. It is an interesting story with a plot that is difficult to guess. Ahmed’s writing pushes us to see how easily society normalises violence and how quickly it brands kindness as madness. The book doesn’t let you settle—it makes you rethink what freedom, love, and sanity really mean for a woman trapped in the rules of society.

[Malavika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading "Qissa of Bibi in Black Burqa and Forty Men" feels like stepping into a lively, colourful world full of humour, irony, and everyday struggles of women. It is a window into lives that are both funny and real. It is a glimpse into the lives shaped by traditions that sometimes seem silly or oppressive, but are presented in a compassionate and witty manner.

Rehana, in her black burqa, is quietly strong. She is a woman who keeps her dignity intact while navigating a society that often tries to box her in. Her small acts of rebellion and her silent strength really hit home. The group of forty men with their letters, where each one reveals a little secret, provides a tiny glimpse into their hopes, fears, and flaws. These moments make village life feel lively, funny, touching, and sometimes shocking. They remind us that everyone has their own mess and problems.

Now, I will admit that some scenes are a bit uncomfortable to read, especially those where women are looked at or touched without consent, or where societal hypocrisy is boldly exposed. These moments might make some readers uncomfortable, but they are meant to shine a light on how bizarre and unfair our social norms can be. Approaching these scenes with an open mind helps you see what makes us think about what’s really going on beneath the surface.

The one thing I loved about this book is how it feels like a collection of snapshots, as each scene is vivid and every character feels real. The mix of humour and absurdity keeps you hooked. Sometimes it feels fragmented, but somehow that makes it more alive, like you’re really sitting with these people, listening to their stories. The narration shows tiny acts of defiance that challenge us to consider gender norms, social masks and hypocrisy.

Overall, I believe the translation effectively captures the essence of the original. It is warm, sharp, and honest. The story invites you to look at how society makes women and men act, and all of it is told delicately and with a good dose of humour. The characters are not perfect or lovable, but they are human. Long after you've finished reading, the characters stay with you, serving as a reminder of the universal quest for dignity in day-to-day existence. All things considered, it is an enlightening glimpse into a world that is both unique and human.

[Sukaina Majeed · Rating 4 out of 5]

oohhh...this is one fine agency given to a burqa clad woman and how a flower and later on the incidents regarding the flower and of Rehana's husband is a treat to read. A woman makes her burqa her weapon. not to harm but so much more. don't miss out on this book. Rehana comes with a history of facing violence by several husbands and one day she is married off to Kalam as is every woman in the patriarchal society but soon Kalam is declared mad and another tale begins..Qissa of Bibi in Black Burqa and Forty Men is a satirical take on Alibaba and 40 thieves where Rehana takes up the role of one of them. It's the rest of the narrative that makes you see a world only a burqa clad women can experience perhaps and somewhere a pompous man sits thinking he has the power but here it's something else altogether and the writer displays it quite efficiently in the book. A short novella of 180 pages says so much about the society and what happens when a woman in a burqa decides to live a little differently. we don't know how,but the men around her have no clue. the writing between the lines and the symbolism by the author lands beautifully. Don't miss out on this book. the book is also available on Kindle Unlimited

[Manya Wadhwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has to be one of my best reads ever till this day. I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did. Also there will be no spoilers but we'll keep this review detailed. Genuinely cannot express how much I enjoyed the writing, considering i am someone who rarely reads anything which isn't fiction or fantasy like I don't usually read this type of novels.
The first thing, this novel GRIPPED ME the moment I started, it has a DAMN STRONG hook, I couldn't put it out until I finished it all. Second of all which I really really liked is the fact that the language of the book is VERY SIMPLE. I liked it because it doens't make reading a chore, like you don't have to constantly check the meaning of words you don't understand. Another thing I loved was definitely the PLOT, The plot was something I did not expect, it was not at all too fast or too slow, it wasn't too descriptive or too dialogue focused it was just PERFECT. I am SURE YOU WILL ENJOY IT A LOT.

[Rira · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book rooted in magic realism that incorporates Bengali literature, regional landscape, mythology along with Hindi and Islamic traditions. The author follows the South Asian type of storytelling called 'qissa'. The novels MC, Bibi is a woman who has claimed herself for the first time in her life when she is married off to a madman in her third marriage. Dealing with forty archetype of men, Bibi observed and plots from behind the veil of the burqa. The very symbol of control becomes her vantage point in her life.
The book is translated from the author's original work in Bengali named as 'Kalo Borkhar Bibi o Kusumer Gondho Ebong Chollishjon Lok'. Kathakali Jana has masterfully translated maintaining cultural and linguistic reverence. Magic realism, feminist fiction and social injustice towards women have intertwined into a beautiful story in this work