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Manto Saheb: Friends and Enemies on the Great Maverick
This remarkable anthology brings together stories about Saadat Hasan Manto, essayist, scriptwriter, and a master of the short story, by his friends, family and rivals—among others, Ismat Chughtai, Upendranath Ashk, Balwant Gargi, Krishan Chander, his daughter Nuzhat and nephew Hamid Jalal. These are accounts of grand friendships and quarrels, protracted drinking bouts, cutthroat rivalries in the world of Urdu letters, and intense engagement with issues of that turbulent age. Together, they form an unprecedented portrait of the literary and film worlds of the time, and of the great cities of Bombay, Delhi and Lahore.
They also offer a glimpse of the making of a legend even as they reveal Manto as a complex man of many contradictions. A devoted husband and father, he was as comfortable at home as he was at prostitutes’ quarters, seeking new material. Generous to a fault, he freely gave away his earnings and often put his family in financial jeopardy. Fiercely competitive and an outspoken critic of others’ writing, he brooked no criticism of his own, at times choosing to sever ties rather than have his words tampered with. And, for much of his adult life, right until the end, Manto was an alcoholic who fiercely defended his choice to remain one.
Honest, frank and personal, at times sentimental, and critical—even gossipy—at others, the pieces in Manto-Saheb constitute an unparalleled, multi-faceted biography of a genius
They also offer a glimpse of the making of a legend even as they reveal Manto as a complex man of many contradictions. A devoted husband and father, he was as comfortable at home as he was at prostitutes’ quarters, seeking new material. Generous to a fault, he freely gave away his earnings and often put his family in financial jeopardy. Fiercely competitive and an outspoken critic of others’ writing, he brooked no criticism of his own, at times choosing to sever ties rather than have his words tampered with. And, for much of his adult life, right until the end, Manto was an alcoholic who fiercely defended his choice to remain one.
Honest, frank and personal, at times sentimental, and critical—even gossipy—at others, the pieces in Manto-Saheb constitute an unparalleled, multi-faceted biography of a genius
- GenresNonfictionEssays
296 pages, Paperback
First published August 10, 2018
15 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 13, 2020
"Manto's ego would not allow him to accept the God which the crowd, the collective, accepted.But his own godhood was yet still a distant dream".
"To feel deeply, and to understand everything, is the biggest crime, and Manto's fireplace is alight with this crime".
"And he considered most people he knew intellectually inferior to him".
"People possess a propensity to remember the obscene writer but quite easily forget the storyteller".
"One has to become a woman when writing about them".
"He accused children because he loved them and was completely vulnerable in their presence".
The epitaph he wrote for his own grave:
"Here lies Saadat Hasan Manto and with him lie buried all the secrets and mysteries of the art of story writing. Under mounds of earth he lies, still wondering who among the two is the greater story writer – God or he.”
Unfortunately, this was replaced with another, on his actual tombstone by his sister. It might have been a wise act on her part, surely the masses wouldn't have been able to stomach such an utterance and would've likened it to blasphemy. The only irony is that Manto had to be disagreed with even in death.
"To feel deeply, and to understand everything, is the biggest crime, and Manto's fireplace is alight with this crime".
"And he considered most people he knew intellectually inferior to him".
"People possess a propensity to remember the obscene writer but quite easily forget the storyteller".
"One has to become a woman when writing about them".
"He accused children because he loved them and was completely vulnerable in their presence".
The epitaph he wrote for his own grave:
"Here lies Saadat Hasan Manto and with him lie buried all the secrets and mysteries of the art of story writing. Under mounds of earth he lies, still wondering who among the two is the greater story writer – God or he.”
Unfortunately, this was replaced with another, on his actual tombstone by his sister. It might have been a wise act on her part, surely the masses wouldn't have been able to stomach such an utterance and would've likened it to blasphemy. The only irony is that Manto had to be disagreed with even in death.
May 8, 2022
The book will take you deep into the life of Manto. His friends through their articles tries to bring forth the inner feelings of Manto. Besides, the contributors through articles discuss the ingenuity of Manto’s creative ability.
November 4, 2018
Very enjoyable if you have read a good number of stories by Manto; the book provides many new perspectives on the writer.
September 28, 2018
One of the most moving memoir on the most unsung writers - manto. A nostalgic, philosophical, heart touching memoir by manto's friends, rivals, family members, contemporaries. Manto is a delightful memoir full of dark humour, compassion, poetry and so many ideas on creative process of writing through manto's mind. Manto Saheb is not an easy read. It offers more than you expected. If you missed manto's biopic, then don't regret. This book is a gem that you will treasure forever if you love literature. This is one of the best reads. Review coming soon on my blog.
August 22, 2020
"IF SOMEBODY ASKS ME WHICH PARTY I BELONG TO I WILL TELL THEM THAT I'M ALONE I'M COMPLETELY ALONE IN ALL WAYS I WILL STOP WRITING THE DAY SOMEBODY WHO WRITES LIKE ME IS BORN."
Manto saheb is a biography translated by Vibha Chauhan and Khalid Alvi. It is a great book if you want to know how Manto's contemporary and fellow writer, friends and foes views the Great Maverick. Manto being the outrageous and provocative writer. He was always ready to cock a snook at society.
This book has portrayed Manto into a writer who was born to reveal the darkest shades of our society. He portrayed them in a manner that people called him an obscene writer or a writer who wrote only about sex, which is not true. Manto once told: "SOCIETY ITSELF IS AN OBSCENE. ALL I DO IS REPRESENT ITS ESSENCE. IT IS ENTIRELY UNDERSTANDABLE THAT PEOPLE WITH UGLY FACES VENT THEIR ANGER AT THE MIRROR."
I personally like part written by Upendranath Ashk as "Manto, my enemy. Imagine yourself writing a book about your enemy, you will never write about your enemy in such a way as Upendranath Ashk has written about Manto. Being an enemy he acknowledged the fact that Manto is a great writer.
Secondly, I like the part of Ismat Chughtai the witting relationship of Manto and Ismat added more charm to this book. The part wrote by Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi was so well written and it was good to read and know more about Manto.
Lastly, the letter written by Muhammad Tufail after Manto's death in Manto's style is worth giving a read. The view of Manto's daughter and nephew on his death were heartbreaking. All of people who about Manto on this book did a great job in expressing his personality and his writing style.
What Balwant Gargi has said about Manto is true "HE WAS A TRADER OF SOULS IN THE BAZAAR OF BODIES."
Manto saheb is a biography translated by Vibha Chauhan and Khalid Alvi. It is a great book if you want to know how Manto's contemporary and fellow writer, friends and foes views the Great Maverick. Manto being the outrageous and provocative writer. He was always ready to cock a snook at society.
This book has portrayed Manto into a writer who was born to reveal the darkest shades of our society. He portrayed them in a manner that people called him an obscene writer or a writer who wrote only about sex, which is not true. Manto once told: "SOCIETY ITSELF IS AN OBSCENE. ALL I DO IS REPRESENT ITS ESSENCE. IT IS ENTIRELY UNDERSTANDABLE THAT PEOPLE WITH UGLY FACES VENT THEIR ANGER AT THE MIRROR."
I personally like part written by Upendranath Ashk as "Manto, my enemy. Imagine yourself writing a book about your enemy, you will never write about your enemy in such a way as Upendranath Ashk has written about Manto. Being an enemy he acknowledged the fact that Manto is a great writer.
Secondly, I like the part of Ismat Chughtai the witting relationship of Manto and Ismat added more charm to this book. The part wrote by Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi was so well written and it was good to read and know more about Manto.
Lastly, the letter written by Muhammad Tufail after Manto's death in Manto's style is worth giving a read. The view of Manto's daughter and nephew on his death were heartbreaking. All of people who about Manto on this book did a great job in expressing his personality and his writing style.
What Balwant Gargi has said about Manto is true "HE WAS A TRADER OF SOULS IN THE BAZAAR OF BODIES."
August 12, 2020
" MANTO SAHEB "
Read it a year ago, but after re-reading thought of giving it a review.
A Biography of MANTO.
An anthology that brings us the lifestyle and stories of Sadat Hassan Manto, the greatest South Asian writer of the 20th century, by his friends, family and associates.
I have huge fondness for Urdu literature, and have been following Manto's short stories for so long. It was the exact reason for me to read his biography.
The book gives us the roller coster ride of Manto's life, in some part it gets emotional, on the very other part it gets very excited. the best thing about this book is that it keeps you stay with it for long like if there's no other day, you have to finish it today.
from getting into critics to becoming a legend, it summarizes us everything about his life.
Genre: Biography
pages: 296
Rating : 4.5/5
Read it a year ago, but after re-reading thought of giving it a review.
A Biography of MANTO.
An anthology that brings us the lifestyle and stories of Sadat Hassan Manto, the greatest South Asian writer of the 20th century, by his friends, family and associates.
I have huge fondness for Urdu literature, and have been following Manto's short stories for so long. It was the exact reason for me to read his biography.
The book gives us the roller coster ride of Manto's life, in some part it gets emotional, on the very other part it gets very excited. the best thing about this book is that it keeps you stay with it for long like if there's no other day, you have to finish it today.
from getting into critics to becoming a legend, it summarizes us everything about his life.
Genre: Biography
pages: 296
Rating : 4.5/5
August 12, 2025
One of my first experiences holding Manto’s life in my hands through the experienced lens of his many esteemed literary colleagues, friends, enemies, and even his family. A depth filled glimpse into Manto’s life has filled with me a lot of inspiration, enlightenment and wisdom in terms of creativity, writing, being authentic to oneself, staying true to one’s values and principles. Notwithstanding Manto’s scornful and ambivalent personality and his nature of being; I am completely enraptured by him and in awe of his work. The book featured many quotes and excerpts from his many short stories, which made me curious and beguiled me to leap into his short collection as well. Despite the short lived life that Manto has lived, none of his works are in vain. In fact, they’re more than just celebrated today.
March 20, 2024
I was introduced to Manto through a book gift I received from a work colleague, and ever since, I have been in awe of the writer.
I read about Manto after that and learned how his lifestyle and, most importantly, his writings were so ahead of the times, which is the reason why they got him into legal trouble every now and then. Manto Saheb is not a book about his writers per se, but rather about the author and his complex life.
In reading these shorts by people who knew or were influenced by him, I got an even better picture of the person he was and why I feel that his writings were possibly a direct cause of how his life panned out.
I often recommend that my friends read Manto, and if you have read his stories and liked them, you should read this book, too.
I read about Manto after that and learned how his lifestyle and, most importantly, his writings were so ahead of the times, which is the reason why they got him into legal trouble every now and then. Manto Saheb is not a book about his writers per se, but rather about the author and his complex life.
In reading these shorts by people who knew or were influenced by him, I got an even better picture of the person he was and why I feel that his writings were possibly a direct cause of how his life panned out.
I often recommend that my friends read Manto, and if you have read his stories and liked them, you should read this book, too.
October 5, 2022
I cried to every page how it depicts the story of Manto that how the society had no respect for such a great writer and the tortures that were inflicted on him by the society and the ordeal he had to go through. He was served warrants, was imprisoned, and had to borrow money from friends to pay the penalty imposed on him. For what??? — for the stories people branded them vulgar were the ones who used to go from shop to shop enquiring if he had published a new collection….and when he passed away, I believe death even decided to take him at the right time, then same people considered his death “LITERARY CATASTROPHE”
February 17, 2019
Manto Saheb! What an apt title for Manto's Memoir. This book is a collection of essays written by Manto's friends and foes, and gives an inside view of Manto Saheb's life. Highly recommended.
Contents (Essays by)
1. Saadat Hasan Manto
2. Krishan Chander
3. Upendra Nath Ashk
4. Ali Sardar Jafri
5. Abu Saeed Qureshi
6. Ismat Chugtai
7. Naresh Kumar Shaad
8. Mehdi Ali Siddiqui
9. Shahid Ahmed Dehlvi
10. Ibrahim Jilees
11. Ahmed Nadeem Qasimi
12. Mohammad Tufail
13. Balwant Gargi
14. Nuzhat Arshad
15. Hamid Jalal
Contents (Essays by)
1. Saadat Hasan Manto
2. Krishan Chander
3. Upendra Nath Ashk
4. Ali Sardar Jafri
5. Abu Saeed Qureshi
6. Ismat Chugtai
7. Naresh Kumar Shaad
8. Mehdi Ali Siddiqui
9. Shahid Ahmed Dehlvi
10. Ibrahim Jilees
11. Ahmed Nadeem Qasimi
12. Mohammad Tufail
13. Balwant Gargi
14. Nuzhat Arshad
15. Hamid Jalal
September 27, 2024
It completely immersed me in the world of writers who weren't at constant war with their language and introduced fun gossip and bonds, whether out of love or rivalry. This book was intimate and personal, it touched me a lot of places, but the most when Ashk gets to know of Manto's death and cries. Human beings would never know in entirety how much they are loved. This book made me feel the gravity of partition and the loss that came with it, loss of people, and love most importantly. Makes me wish there was a Dehli or Bombay I felt as warmly for as a Kabul or London.
January 17, 2020
“𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙨𝙤 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙎𝙖𝙙𝙖𝙩 𝙃𝙖𝙨𝙖𝙣 𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙨, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚.” 🗣
.
🖊: This book basically comprises of the views of friends and enemies of Sadat Hasan Manto, of their interactions with him during his lifetime, of how they perceived him individually & of what they thought of his famous yet controversial writings. His friends & foes knew that he was the best! .
🖊: Manto was no doubt a genius - a genius who was merciless with his words, often bringing out the cruel face of this society. His sentences, his mere words can make the reader twitch with discomfort. He was the kind of man who yearned for a whiskey even on his deathbed. A man full of contradictions that you’ll not get bored even for one second while reading about his life.
.
🖊: This book brims with tales of friendships & rivalries in the era that solely belonged to writers & poets. I was specially looking forward to read what Ismat Chughtai & Ahmed Nadeem Qasimi had in store for Manto & I thoroughly enjoyed their parts. Even if you haven’t read any of Manto’s stories, do give this book a chance & you’ll not be disappointed. *HIGHLY RECOMMENDED*
.
🖊: This book basically comprises of the views of friends and enemies of Sadat Hasan Manto, of their interactions with him during his lifetime, of how they perceived him individually & of what they thought of his famous yet controversial writings. His friends & foes knew that he was the best! .
🖊: Manto was no doubt a genius - a genius who was merciless with his words, often bringing out the cruel face of this society. His sentences, his mere words can make the reader twitch with discomfort. He was the kind of man who yearned for a whiskey even on his deathbed. A man full of contradictions that you’ll not get bored even for one second while reading about his life.
.
🖊: This book brims with tales of friendships & rivalries in the era that solely belonged to writers & poets. I was specially looking forward to read what Ismat Chughtai & Ahmed Nadeem Qasimi had in store for Manto & I thoroughly enjoyed their parts. Even if you haven’t read any of Manto’s stories, do give this book a chance & you’ll not be disappointed. *HIGHLY RECOMMENDED*
October 30, 2022
A remarkable anthology about Sadat Hasan Manto. It brings Manto into life through the eyes of his friends and enemies, a great maverick of Urdu story telling. One must read some of his stories before reading this book to understand the perspective of his friends and enemies alike.
November 16, 2019
I can't Express my words on This book.
love Manto ❤
love Manto ❤
September 17, 2020
If you have read Manto’s work you should definitely read this book this will explain why Manto wrote the way he did, which precisely was magnificently.
February 12, 2024
A dose of happiness and sadness
March 18, 2020
A portrait of the greatly controversial author, painted by many brushes - not all of them flattering and not all of them cruelly stark. The respect for the art and the the exasperated affection shines through.
Made an interesting read for me specially because I had no inkling of the author.
One takeaway was the smaller portrait of his wife. She too deserves salutations
Made an interesting read for me specially because I had no inkling of the author.
One takeaway was the smaller portrait of his wife. She too deserves salutations
February 18, 2021
I believe that our creativity grows like sidewalk weeds out of the cracks between our pathologies—not from the pathologies themselves. But so many renowned creators of Subcontinent think it’s the other way around. For this reason, you will often meet artists who deliberately cling to their suffering, their addictions, their fears, their demons like in this book they do with themselves and their drunk friend Manto. All of them including Manto worry that if they ever let go of all that anguish, their very identities would vanish. Rilke, who famously said, “If my devils are to leave me, I’m afraid my angels will take flight, as well. And seriously I don’t like that idea.
March 4, 2021
How amazing or depressing the lives of Great people are. This look is present in the Book "Manto Saheb".
It's a collection of columns, essays and stories written by the Enemies and Friends of Sadaat Hassan Manto. He's one of the most prominent Urdu writers for his stories like " Odour", "Open it" and "Toba Tek Singh". His personality is filled with so many controversies but he still managed to get where he meant to be.
The book is about how his foes and friends consider the personality of the great Maverick. And thanks to all those people who contributed to the personality of one of the most Unorthodox minds of the subcontinent Pak-o-Hind.
It's a collection of columns, essays and stories written by the Enemies and Friends of Sadaat Hassan Manto. He's one of the most prominent Urdu writers for his stories like " Odour", "Open it" and "Toba Tek Singh". His personality is filled with so many controversies but he still managed to get where he meant to be.
The book is about how his foes and friends consider the personality of the great Maverick. And thanks to all those people who contributed to the personality of one of the most Unorthodox minds of the subcontinent Pak-o-Hind.
August 21, 2019
This anthology on one of the greatest short-story write Manto by his acquaintance’s sheds light on various aspects of Manto’s life that were mostly hidden from a common person. In fact, Manto was already an established writer but the stories he would go on to write about partition would cement his reputation. Sixty-four years gone past since he passed away but his legacy that stretches far and wide.
October 28, 2025
Since the English translation didn't really capture the emotion of the stories about Manto, I listened to Hindi audiobooks of the stories simultaneously with the book. This book was a good introduction to Hindi literature, as well as Manto's contemporaries and other writers in the progressive writer's movement.
Would probably have been a more fun read if I was more familiar with Manto's work as well as the writers in the anthology.
Would probably have been a more fun read if I was more familiar with Manto's work as well as the writers in the anthology.
July 16, 2024
Marvellous, wholesome, beautiful.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews