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Women of Prey
A collection of light, raunchy short stories by Saadat Hasan Manto, originally published in Urdu as 'Shikari Auratein'. This translation also includes two non-fiction essays by Manto on the Hindi film actresses Sitara and Paro Devi.
- GenresLiterary Fiction
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
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197 people want to read
About the author
Saadat Hasan Manto
550 books1,117 followersSaadat Hasan Manto (Urdu: سعادت حسن منٹو, Hindi: सआदत हसन मंटो), the most widely read and the most controversial short-story writer in Urdu, was born on 11 May 1912 at Sambrala in Punjab's Ludhiana District. In a writing career spanning over two decades he produced twenty-two collections of short stories, one novel, five collections of radio plays, three collections of essays, two collections of reminiscences and many scripts for films. He was tried for obscenity half a dozen times, thrice before and thrice after independence. Not always was he acquitted. Some of Manto's greatest work was produced in the last seven years of his life, a time of great financial and emotional hardship for him. He died a few months short of his forty-third birthday, in January 1955, in Lahore.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 25 reviews
March 1, 2024
৩.৫/৫
সাদত হাসান মান্টোকে চিনি "ঠাণ্ডা গোশত" ও কালো সীমানা"র লেখক হিসেবে।দাঙ্গা ও দেশভাগের যন্ত্রণা নিয়ে লেখা সেসব গল্প লেখকের সত্তার একটা দিকের পরিচয় বহন করে। অন্যদিকে "শিকারি আওরত" এ পাওয়া যায় প্রখর রসবোধযুক্ত এক মান্টোকে। বেশিরভাগ গল্পের নারীরা অবলা নয় বা শিকারও নয়, বরং তারাই থাকে চালকের আসনে। প্রথম দুটি গল্প হাস্যরসাত্মক। এরপর ধীরে ধীরে গল্পের সুর সিরিয়াস হয়েছে, যদিও তা বর্ণনা করা হয়েছে হালকা মেজাজে।
মান্টো লেখক হিসেবে প্রায় নিস্পৃহ, নিজের সৃষ্ট নেতিবাচক কর্মকাণ্ডে লিপ্ত কোনো চরিত্রকেও তিনি বিচার করেন না, শুধু বর্ণনা করে যান।কিন্তু কিছু ক্ষেত্রে তার মনোভাব বর্তমানে প্রশ্নবিদ্ধ হতে পারে।মান্টোর কৌতুকের মধ্যে থাকে কান্না, আর কান্নার মধ্যে কৌতুক। সার্বিকভাবে বইটা বেশ ভালো লাগলো। দিলওয়ার হাসানের অনুবাদ চমৎকার; শুধু ব্যক্তিগতভাবে "প্রিয়ে" শব্দটার ব্যবহার পীড়াদায়ক মনে হয়েছে।
সাদত হাসান মান্টোকে চিনি "ঠাণ্ডা গোশত" ও কালো সীমানা"র লেখক হিসেবে।দাঙ্গা ও দেশভাগের যন্ত্রণা নিয়ে লেখা সেসব গল্প লেখকের সত্তার একটা দিকের পরিচয় বহন করে। অন্যদিকে "শিকারি আওরত" এ পাওয়া যায় প্রখর রসবোধযুক্ত এক মান্টোকে। বেশিরভাগ গল্পের নারীরা অবলা নয় বা শিকারও নয়, বরং তারাই থাকে চালকের আসনে। প্রথম দুটি গল্প হাস্যরসাত্মক। এরপর ধীরে ধীরে গল্পের সুর সিরিয়াস হয়েছে, যদিও তা বর্ণনা করা হয়েছে হালকা মেজাজে।
মান্টো লেখক হিসেবে প্রায় নিস্পৃহ, নিজের সৃষ্ট নেতিবাচক কর্মকাণ্ডে লিপ্ত কোনো চরিত্রকেও তিনি বিচার করেন না, শুধু বর্ণনা করে যান।কিন্তু কিছু ক্ষেত্রে তার মনোভাব বর্তমানে প্রশ্নবিদ্ধ হতে পারে।মান্টোর কৌতুকের মধ্যে থাকে কান্না, আর কান্নার মধ্যে কৌতুক। সার্বিকভাবে বইটা বেশ ভালো লাগলো। দিলওয়ার হাসানের অনুবাদ চমৎকার; শুধু ব্যক্তিগতভাবে "প্রিয়ে" শব্দটার ব্যবহার পীড়াদায়ক মনে হয়েছে।
February 13, 2025
4.25 ⭐
GENRE - FICTION.
PAGES - 160
To begin with I was smitten by the cover of the book and blindly purchased this book just by reading its title "WOMEN OF PRAY" SHIKARI AURATEIN BY SAADAT HASAN MANTO.
I had read about Sadaat Hasan Mantos greatness in Hindi and Urdu literature also that he wrote his heart out and never minced his words his stories were about what he saw in societies at that time and he never tried to sugar coat his words while narrating those stories also he would write on erotic subjects.
About the Book:- Well on reading the title i thought this book would contain works of Manto on erotic subjects, salty and spicy however it was not to be.
The book contains short stories of Manto which deals with issues of society and relationships of people within the society or in their personal life.
The book was a quick read and all the stories were worth reading.
Thank You 👍🙏❤️
GENRE - FICTION.
PAGES - 160
To begin with I was smitten by the cover of the book and blindly purchased this book just by reading its title "WOMEN OF PRAY" SHIKARI AURATEIN BY SAADAT HASAN MANTO.
I had read about Sadaat Hasan Mantos greatness in Hindi and Urdu literature also that he wrote his heart out and never minced his words his stories were about what he saw in societies at that time and he never tried to sugar coat his words while narrating those stories also he would write on erotic subjects.
About the Book:- Well on reading the title i thought this book would contain works of Manto on erotic subjects, salty and spicy however it was not to be.
The book contains short stories of Manto which deals with issues of society and relationships of people within the society or in their personal life.
The book was a quick read and all the stories were worth reading.
Thank You 👍🙏❤️
November 12, 2019
I attended the launch of this book, and while introducing it, the translator of Women of Prey, Saba Bashir, remarked that of Saadat Hasan Manto’s fairly vast oeuvre, just a handful of short stories—the ones that deal with Partition, for instance, such as Toba Tek Singh, Kaali Salwar or Thanda Gosht—seem to be discussed and translated, again and again. While Manto is well-known and much-admired, his writing is automatically slotted as angsty, hard-hitting, brutally real. (Note: Manto’s writings on the world of Hindi cinema at the time he was part of it are a completely different kettle of fish).
Shikari Auratein (as Bashir translates it, Women of Prey) is an exception to his better-known stories. These are (mostly) fun, irreverent, often outright raunchy stories. In one, an imported pornographic film is borrowed by a man who shows it to his friends and eventually to his horrified wife. In another, an alcoholic resorts to subterfuge to ensure he has his daily quota of three drinks—at home, in his wife’s presence. In the series of vignettes that form the story of the title, various women show themselves as being far bolder and more resourceful, outgoing and capable of looking out for themselves than men are apt to give them credit for.
These are the funny stories, the stories that are light-hearted (though still, in their own way, an intelligent, tongue-in-cheek commentary on society and its hypocrisy). There are also two stories that are rather more what one expects of Manto: Three and a Half Annas, which questions the concept of ‘honesty’, and The Child, about a childless woman’s increasing anguish at being unable to conceive—a heartbreaking story, and utterly memorable.
Besides the stories that were part of the original Shikari Auratein book, Saba Bashir has included two more essays that fit the theme. Both Meerut’s Sharp Wit and Sitara are from Manto’s stint in the Hindi film industry. While I read a lot of cinema writing, including biographies, I am not fond of reading about the intimate details of the lives of people. Sitara, about the dancer-actress Sitara, struck me as an especially salacious piece of gossip. This one ended up being the least favourite part of the book for me.
On the whole, however, an entertaining and good book. Saba Bashir’s translation is good, and I like that she retains some words which would be easily comprehended by the average reader who understands Hindustani. The footnotes that accompany the essay on Sitara are useful, but I wish there had been more, identifying some of the other people who put in an appearance in this essay and the one on Paro.
Shikari Auratein (as Bashir translates it, Women of Prey) is an exception to his better-known stories. These are (mostly) fun, irreverent, often outright raunchy stories. In one, an imported pornographic film is borrowed by a man who shows it to his friends and eventually to his horrified wife. In another, an alcoholic resorts to subterfuge to ensure he has his daily quota of three drinks—at home, in his wife’s presence. In the series of vignettes that form the story of the title, various women show themselves as being far bolder and more resourceful, outgoing and capable of looking out for themselves than men are apt to give them credit for.
These are the funny stories, the stories that are light-hearted (though still, in their own way, an intelligent, tongue-in-cheek commentary on society and its hypocrisy). There are also two stories that are rather more what one expects of Manto: Three and a Half Annas, which questions the concept of ‘honesty’, and The Child, about a childless woman’s increasing anguish at being unable to conceive—a heartbreaking story, and utterly memorable.
Besides the stories that were part of the original Shikari Auratein book, Saba Bashir has included two more essays that fit the theme. Both Meerut’s Sharp Wit and Sitara are from Manto’s stint in the Hindi film industry. While I read a lot of cinema writing, including biographies, I am not fond of reading about the intimate details of the lives of people. Sitara, about the dancer-actress Sitara, struck me as an especially salacious piece of gossip. This one ended up being the least favourite part of the book for me.
On the whole, however, an entertaining and good book. Saba Bashir’s translation is good, and I like that she retains some words which would be easily comprehended by the average reader who understands Hindustani. The footnotes that accompany the essay on Sitara are useful, but I wish there had been more, identifying some of the other people who put in an appearance in this essay and the one on Paro.
April 18, 2020
I wouldn't say that I am an expert in Manto, given that I have read very little by this author. All I know is that he has written gut wrenching partition stories and has a quirky and raunchy outlook towards everything else including women.
'Women of Prey' is a collection of stories with women in the forefront. While the collection leaves behind a chuckle more than once, the stories felt a little flat. There are a lot of emotions swirling throughout each tale but there's a constant feel of something missing.
.
But that said, there were a few stories I enjoyed a lot. 'Women of Prey', the story that also makes up the title of the collection, gives us unapologetic women, standing against patriarchy, all on their own and quite remarkably.
Then there are stories about failing marriages, the longing of a mother for her child and women in other domestic and non-domestic scenarios. There's admiration, sarcasm, and an unapologetic narration of the women Manto observed.
.
About the transition, It was pretty well done even though there were places that sounded sloppy. Manto takes up on a bold topic without caring about opinions and scorn(which seems to be his nature). This collection brings out a different side of this beloved author, a side worth exploring.
'Women of Prey' is a collection of stories with women in the forefront. While the collection leaves behind a chuckle more than once, the stories felt a little flat. There are a lot of emotions swirling throughout each tale but there's a constant feel of something missing.
.
But that said, there were a few stories I enjoyed a lot. 'Women of Prey', the story that also makes up the title of the collection, gives us unapologetic women, standing against patriarchy, all on their own and quite remarkably.
Then there are stories about failing marriages, the longing of a mother for her child and women in other domestic and non-domestic scenarios. There's admiration, sarcasm, and an unapologetic narration of the women Manto observed.
.
About the transition, It was pretty well done even though there were places that sounded sloppy. Manto takes up on a bold topic without caring about opinions and scorn(which seems to be his nature). This collection brings out a different side of this beloved author, a side worth exploring.
January 30, 2024
সাদাত হোসেন মান্টোর নাম যথেষ্ট বইটা হাতে তুলে নেওয়ার জন্য। প্রথম গল্পটা আমার কাছে দুর্দান্ত লেগেছে। মান্টো এক আজিব কিসিমের বান্দা, সমাজের সাধারণ বিষয়ের মধ্যেও কিভাবে যেন এক নির্মমতা ফুটায়ে তুলেন। সামগ্রিকভাবে মান্টোর লেখা পড়া তেমন হয় নাই, দে'জ থেকে প্রকাশিত গোটা গল্পসংগ্রহ টা পড়ে দেখতে হবে।
November 19, 2019
Rating : 4.5/5
The author is widely famous for his partition stories and writings about marginalized sections of the society but through this anthology we explore the less known facet of his personality.The stories are peppered with sarcasm, human emotions and desires that refused to remain caged.
:
I could hardly suppress a chuckle at the state of Doctor Rathar in Flowers of Divine Mercy, Womankind throws light on strange workings of the society, Haircut effortlessly exposes the insides of a dysfunctional marriage and Sitara focuses on a fiercely independent woman who lived life on her own terms.The yearnings of a woman heart echoes through The Child and the title story Women of Prey features confident women who asserts her wishes nonchalant about the age old thinking or Patriarchy.But it is the honesty of a criminal in Three and a Half Annas that left me speechless, the author ruthlessly questions about the widespread beliefs.
The translator has did a splendid job, the introduction and the footnotes helped immensely in delving deep into the soul of the subject.The writing is blunt, bold Sears right through the heart of the reader leaving a deep everlasting mark.The characters are well developed, relatable and the premise is detailed.The plotline moves smoothly without any roadblocks and the narration kept me engaged till the very end.The climax at times left me deep in thought.
:
I would recommend the book to each and every reader especially to the lovers of sarcasm.
The author is widely famous for his partition stories and writings about marginalized sections of the society but through this anthology we explore the less known facet of his personality.The stories are peppered with sarcasm, human emotions and desires that refused to remain caged.
:
I could hardly suppress a chuckle at the state of Doctor Rathar in Flowers of Divine Mercy, Womankind throws light on strange workings of the society, Haircut effortlessly exposes the insides of a dysfunctional marriage and Sitara focuses on a fiercely independent woman who lived life on her own terms.The yearnings of a woman heart echoes through The Child and the title story Women of Prey features confident women who asserts her wishes nonchalant about the age old thinking or Patriarchy.But it is the honesty of a criminal in Three and a Half Annas that left me speechless, the author ruthlessly questions about the widespread beliefs.
The translator has did a splendid job, the introduction and the footnotes helped immensely in delving deep into the soul of the subject.The writing is blunt, bold Sears right through the heart of the reader leaving a deep everlasting mark.The characters are well developed, relatable and the premise is detailed.The plotline moves smoothly without any roadblocks and the narration kept me engaged till the very end.The climax at times left me deep in thought.
:
I would recommend the book to each and every reader especially to the lovers of sarcasm.
November 19, 2021
2.25 ⭐
Women of prey originally published in 1955 as Shikari auratein is a collection of raunchy, funny and gloriously pulpy stories (as marketed by the publishers). Initial few stories were pretty good and enjoyable whereas certain others were okayish. The major drawback for me was 'Sitara'. I would probably had gulped it down if it was a fictional version. However, Sitara was a well known kathak dancer of yesteryear and writing raunchy, gossipy details based on information from spies is a difficult pill to swallow.
Quoting manto 'You know me as a story writer and the courts know me as an obscene writer'. I wouldn't call his stories obscene. I just hated his version of Sitara.
Probably skip this book and read more acclaimed work of his about stories of partition.
Women of prey originally published in 1955 as Shikari auratein is a collection of raunchy, funny and gloriously pulpy stories (as marketed by the publishers). Initial few stories were pretty good and enjoyable whereas certain others were okayish. The major drawback for me was 'Sitara'. I would probably had gulped it down if it was a fictional version. However, Sitara was a well known kathak dancer of yesteryear and writing raunchy, gossipy details based on information from spies is a difficult pill to swallow.
Quoting manto 'You know me as a story writer and the courts know me as an obscene writer'. I wouldn't call his stories obscene. I just hated his version of Sitara.
Probably skip this book and read more acclaimed work of his about stories of partition.
September 2, 2014
good but not best
October 20, 2021
This collection started out splendidly but halfway through the book, everything goes downhill. Some background; I have enjoyed Manto's stories from before, during and after the partition of India. He captured the trauma and social issues of the time brilliantly with his writing.
'Women of Prey' is marketed to be a collection of his raunchy and thrilling short stories about women. But, there isn't a proper flow of a theme within it. All stories seem as if they have been put together without insight. Most of them belong in separate collections.
Some stories I liked, some I learned from, and some flat out repulsed me. Without giving spoilers, I shall go story by story.
1. Flowers of Mercy- 3,75/5. Funny story about an alcoholic husband and a knowing wife who pretends to be woefully unaware while taking care of the situation.
2. Womankind- 4/5. An interesting and funny tale about porn in the early days.
3. Three and a Half Annas- 5/5. Much needed narrative about the imprisonment system and how it does nothing to reform and improve harmless people who are jailed for petty crimes.
4. Haircut- 4/5. Such a funny story. Sort of a "comedy of errors" type of account between a couple.
5. Gentleman's Brush- How do I rate a story that I don't understand?
6. The Child- 4/5. A heartbreaking narrative about how the outside world places a lot of importance on having children on women. This creates a sense of void and perpetuates severe mental ordeal within them.
Bear with me, so far so good, right? This was barely half of the book. The next three stories are not only on the longer side but also triggering, misogynistic, and objectifying of women.
7. Meerut's Sharp Wit - 2/5. Gives insight into Bollywood, Filmistan studio, and his thoughts about a movie that he wrote. Some parts are interesting but he body shames a rising film actress 'Paru Devi' and insults her marriage, acting skills, and her husband. Seems to have written it out of spite for her.
8. Women of Prey - 1/5. A chronicle of his interactions with various women whom he assumes to be morally bankrupt just by looking at their eyes or bodies. He had several indecency charges and these "women of prey" or "shikari auretein" did not.
9. Sitara - 0/5. Doesn't respect Sitara Devi who is worshipped in and outside the Kathak community. In his longest short story of the book, and even outside of this story, he speculated about her life by mentioning that he had "spies" on her and passed judgement regularly. At least, he was right when he said "Sitara is a woman that is born, maybe, once in a hundred years." I did my research on her and she was a woman before her time.
I rated this book very low, but I believe such books should still be read. Our aversion can be a grand teacher.
'Women of Prey' is marketed to be a collection of his raunchy and thrilling short stories about women. But, there isn't a proper flow of a theme within it. All stories seem as if they have been put together without insight. Most of them belong in separate collections.
Some stories I liked, some I learned from, and some flat out repulsed me. Without giving spoilers, I shall go story by story.
1. Flowers of Mercy- 3,75/5. Funny story about an alcoholic husband and a knowing wife who pretends to be woefully unaware while taking care of the situation.
2. Womankind- 4/5. An interesting and funny tale about porn in the early days.
3. Three and a Half Annas- 5/5. Much needed narrative about the imprisonment system and how it does nothing to reform and improve harmless people who are jailed for petty crimes.
4. Haircut- 4/5. Such a funny story. Sort of a "comedy of errors" type of account between a couple.
5. Gentleman's Brush- How do I rate a story that I don't understand?
6. The Child- 4/5. A heartbreaking narrative about how the outside world places a lot of importance on having children on women. This creates a sense of void and perpetuates severe mental ordeal within them.
Bear with me, so far so good, right? This was barely half of the book. The next three stories are not only on the longer side but also triggering, misogynistic, and objectifying of women.
7. Meerut's Sharp Wit - 2/5. Gives insight into Bollywood, Filmistan studio, and his thoughts about a movie that he wrote. Some parts are interesting but he body shames a rising film actress 'Paru Devi' and insults her marriage, acting skills, and her husband. Seems to have written it out of spite for her.
8. Women of Prey - 1/5. A chronicle of his interactions with various women whom he assumes to be morally bankrupt just by looking at their eyes or bodies. He had several indecency charges and these "women of prey" or "shikari auretein" did not.
9. Sitara - 0/5. Doesn't respect Sitara Devi who is worshipped in and outside the Kathak community. In his longest short story of the book, and even outside of this story, he speculated about her life by mentioning that he had "spies" on her and passed judgement regularly. At least, he was right when he said "Sitara is a woman that is born, maybe, once in a hundred years." I did my research on her and she was a woman before her time.
I rated this book very low, but I believe such books should still be read. Our aversion can be a grand teacher.
March 24, 2020
Putting it simply, Manto is Magic!
.
.
#bookreview👇 .
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"I don't know what kind of man she thinks me to be. But I consider her to be a woman who is born, maybe, once in a hundred years."
.
.
'Women Of Prey' is a compilation of some of the raunchiest, funny and explicit(as some might call it) short stories. I accept that before reading this one I only thought of Manto to be a writer who explored the topic of partition and wrote some of the most heart wrenching stories I've read but this book by @speakingtiger made me see the writer in a different light. The stories here are comedies of manner and brilliantly written and although I would have loved to read the stories in Urdu, if only I knew the language 🥺, the translation does justice to it! ❤️
.
.
The best part about each story for me was the ending as it was completely unexpected and also the climax! Doctor Rathar's condition in 'Flowers Of Divine Mercy' made me laugh, In 'Haircut' the way language was failing people and words did not make sense reminded me of 'Waiting For Godot', 'The Child' shows a woman's desperation for a child because of societal expectations and 'Women Of Prey' which is my favourite one talks about 4 different incidents where women take charge and assert their wishes and desires nonchalantly. There are other stories too which are equally amazing! 😍
.
.
About who should read this book, I'd say everyone who's looking for a brilliant translation, an engaging narrative and those who love sarcasm and irony should pick this one up.
.
.
#bookreview👇 .
.
"I don't know what kind of man she thinks me to be. But I consider her to be a woman who is born, maybe, once in a hundred years."
.
.
'Women Of Prey' is a compilation of some of the raunchiest, funny and explicit(as some might call it) short stories. I accept that before reading this one I only thought of Manto to be a writer who explored the topic of partition and wrote some of the most heart wrenching stories I've read but this book by @speakingtiger made me see the writer in a different light. The stories here are comedies of manner and brilliantly written and although I would have loved to read the stories in Urdu, if only I knew the language 🥺, the translation does justice to it! ❤️
.
.
The best part about each story for me was the ending as it was completely unexpected and also the climax! Doctor Rathar's condition in 'Flowers Of Divine Mercy' made me laugh, In 'Haircut' the way language was failing people and words did not make sense reminded me of 'Waiting For Godot', 'The Child' shows a woman's desperation for a child because of societal expectations and 'Women Of Prey' which is my favourite one talks about 4 different incidents where women take charge and assert their wishes and desires nonchalantly. There are other stories too which are equally amazing! 😍
.
.
About who should read this book, I'd say everyone who's looking for a brilliant translation, an engaging narrative and those who love sarcasm and irony should pick this one up.
June 17, 2019
I was a little disappointed to read it.. it contains short stories. Just 2 of these are interesting.. rest were just fillers.
November 29, 2019
A pleasing cross between Maugham's dry wit and O' Henry's pathos.
January 3, 2020
Another mediocre effort by Manto.The saving grace is just one story in this volume,which is very ironic.The rest disappoint.
April 12, 2020
Some good some avg.
May 17, 2021
Manto - an eccentric man of multitudes.
His writings were brutal and blunt on the political upheavals, hypocrisies in moral policings, dark humour, eccentric and sometimes uncalled for. 😆
I enjoyed this compiled book "Women or Prey" of his anecdotes and pulp stories known as "Shikari Auratein" that was translated from the Urdu to English by Saba Mahmood Bashir.
Sitara was my favourite pulp story from this collection. Despite his caustic magazine columns he wrote on her infidelity, he held her in highest regard.
"She is a towering woman, although her height isn't much. I don't know what kind of a man she thinks me to be. But I consider her to be a woman who is born, maybe, once in a hundred years."
Manto's life and death was captured beautifully in the film "Manto" on Netflix acted by the brilliant Nawazuddin Siddiqui. A film you should watch.
4 stars for these pulp stories
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Special shout-out to Jezreel Sarah Nathan for the captivating book cover!! 😍😍😍
#manto #saadathasanmanto #womenofprey #shikariauratein #sabamahmoodbashir #jezreelsarahnathan #urduliterature #indianliterature #sitaradevi #translatedworks #translatedfiction #fiction #pulpfiction #pulpstories #bookish #igreads #bookstagram #book #read #bibliophile #indianwriters #indianauthors #booksofinstagram #asianwriters #asianliterature #readingnationsg #singaporereads #sgreads #speakingtiger #kochibooks
His writings were brutal and blunt on the political upheavals, hypocrisies in moral policings, dark humour, eccentric and sometimes uncalled for. 😆
I enjoyed this compiled book "Women or Prey" of his anecdotes and pulp stories known as "Shikari Auratein" that was translated from the Urdu to English by Saba Mahmood Bashir.
Sitara was my favourite pulp story from this collection. Despite his caustic magazine columns he wrote on her infidelity, he held her in highest regard.
"She is a towering woman, although her height isn't much. I don't know what kind of a man she thinks me to be. But I consider her to be a woman who is born, maybe, once in a hundred years."
Manto's life and death was captured beautifully in the film "Manto" on Netflix acted by the brilliant Nawazuddin Siddiqui. A film you should watch.
4 stars for these pulp stories
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Special shout-out to Jezreel Sarah Nathan for the captivating book cover!! 😍😍😍
#manto #saadathasanmanto #womenofprey #shikariauratein #sabamahmoodbashir #jezreelsarahnathan #urduliterature #indianliterature #sitaradevi #translatedworks #translatedfiction #fiction #pulpfiction #pulpstories #bookish #igreads #bookstagram #book #read #bibliophile #indianwriters #indianauthors #booksofinstagram #asianwriters #asianliterature #readingnationsg #singaporereads #sgreads #speakingtiger #kochibooks
February 9, 2021
I had a great time reading this book. It had some very interesting collection of stories. It involves stories about different women and men at the time of pre partition India.
Before reading this book, I had no idea who Saadat Hasan Manto was. But after reading this book, I think I now possess a little bit understanding of who and how he was.
His writing is simple, honest and carries a kind of sincerity. Since it was a translated version and I understand that sometimes, translated versions tend to dim the actual essence of writing, yet I enjoyed it very much.
I would highly recommend it.
Before reading this book, I had no idea who Saadat Hasan Manto was. But after reading this book, I think I now possess a little bit understanding of who and how he was.
His writing is simple, honest and carries a kind of sincerity. Since it was a translated version and I understand that sometimes, translated versions tend to dim the actual essence of writing, yet I enjoyed it very much.
I would highly recommend it.
September 23, 2023
I can not understand Manto especially when he is describing women. The women in his stories are bold, sexual, and even predatory at times. But then I wonder if he reduces them a little too much to their sexuality or if his descriptions of women are through a male gaze.
Having said that, his stories are interesting and bold, to say the least. At the time that he wrote these, I would probably say they were groundbreaking in some ways — as they did not represent women as demure, chastite but the opposite. He is about that rare male author in those times in India who wrote about women's sexuality which was and is considered a taboo, to some extent.
Having said that, his stories are interesting and bold, to say the least. At the time that he wrote these, I would probably say they were groundbreaking in some ways — as they did not represent women as demure, chastite but the opposite. He is about that rare male author in those times in India who wrote about women's sexuality which was and is considered a taboo, to some extent.
September 16, 2022
This is was my first Manto book. And I’m not just disappointed, but disgusted. His writing is derogatory towards both men & women. The last story about a legendary Kathak dancer Sitara, stoops to the lowest levels. Couldn’t get myself to finish the story.
I am too daunted to ever be able to read any of Manto’s work on partition stories as well, for which he is highly acclaimed of.
I am too daunted to ever be able to read any of Manto’s work on partition stories as well, for which he is highly acclaimed of.
January 19, 2021
I think these stories were difficult to translate, but there were a couple where I could see the genius of Manto. Still want to read more.
Read
June 28, 2021Hanss
August 27, 2023
As with many other readers, some of these stories were great: Womankind was a particular favourite. However many of the others were dull and meandering.
January 9, 2024
Fantastic collection. Elegance in simplicity.
March 12, 2024
মান্টোর লেখার রেটিং করবো, এই যোগ্যতা আমার কোনোদিনই হবে না। অনুবাদের রেটিং করা যেতে পারে, সেটাও বাকি থাক। ২ মাসের বেবি নিয়ে একটানে শেষ করেছি। এতেই বুঝে নেন।
February 9, 2021
Always like reading Manto.
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