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Manto and Chughtai: The Essential Stories
Nice Book
224 pages, Paperback
Published July 25, 2019
37 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Muhammad Umar Memon
46 books34 followersMuhammad Umar Memon is a critic, short story writer, renowned Urdu translator and editor of The Annual of Urdu Studies from Pakistan. He is Professor Emeritus of Urdu Literature and Islamic Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Dr. Memon was born in Aligarh, India in 1939. In 1954, his family moved to Karachi, Pakistan where he earned his bachelors and masters degrees. After his graduation, he taught at Sachal Sarmast College and Sind University. In 1964 he won a Fulbright scholarship to the United States. This move enabled him to earn a masters degree from Harvard University and eventually a doctorate in Islamic Studies from UCLA. Dr. Memon joined the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1970 and retired from there after 38 years of service. He has remained active as a scholar: besides working on translation of Urdu works into English he serves on the editorial board of Pakistaniaat: A Journal of Pakistan Studies and is also an advisor to the Urdu Project.
Dr. Memon was born in Aligarh, India in 1939. In 1954, his family moved to Karachi, Pakistan where he earned his bachelors and masters degrees. After his graduation, he taught at Sachal Sarmast College and Sind University. In 1964 he won a Fulbright scholarship to the United States. This move enabled him to earn a masters degree from Harvard University and eventually a doctorate in Islamic Studies from UCLA. Dr. Memon joined the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1970 and retired from there after 38 years of service. He has remained active as a scholar: besides working on translation of Urdu works into English he serves on the editorial board of Pakistaniaat: A Journal of Pakistan Studies and is also an advisor to the Urdu Project.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 23, 2019
What a deadly combination is this book?! I’m sure whoever came up with the idea of compiling these two iconic pillars of Urdu writing was intending on punching their readers in the gut steadfast! The eloquence with which these two explored controversial themes such as partition and sexuality made them the groundbreaking icons of Urdu Literature. Also this cover and the illustrations made me wanna get this copy right away.
“If you cannot bear these stories then the society is unbearable. Who am I to remove the clothes of this society, which itself is naked. I don't even try to cover it, because it is not my job, that's the job of dressmakers.”
—Saadat Hasan Manto
“I have always thought of myself first as a human being and then a woman”
—Ismat Chughtai
“If you cannot bear these stories then the society is unbearable. Who am I to remove the clothes of this society, which itself is naked. I don't even try to cover it, because it is not my job, that's the job of dressmakers.”
—Saadat Hasan Manto
“I have always thought of myself first as a human being and then a woman”
—Ismat Chughtai
November 14, 2019
This is the first time I read Chugtai and Manto's work, and I hadn't expected the prose to be so poignant. I was in awe of these two storytelling masters ' narratives. The stories were simply narrated, poetic with deep insight into human nature.
In this treasure chest of a novel, every story turned out to be a gem. It was amazing to see how both the authors addressed sensitive issues such as sexuality, religion, politics, dogmas and partition in ' Manto And Chugtai: The Essential Tales ' with such ease and candor. I was fascinated with the stories – especially “Toba Tek Singh”, “Kafir” “The Quilt (This story is now forever embedded in my heart. I literally keeled over in pain of the character) ”, "Smell", “Sacred Duty” and "The Black Shalwar" – and the memorable characters.
“If you cannot bear these stories then the society is unbearable. Who am I to remove the clothes of this society, which itself is naked. I don't even try to cover it, because it is not my job, that's the job of dressmakers.”
‘Manto and Chughtai: The Essential Stories’ is a collection of stories written by two of the most controversial authors Ismat Chughtai and Saadat Manto, and carefully translated by by Muhammed Umar Memon, M Asaduddin with regard to the core of each tale, maintaining Chughtai and Manto’s original style and its effect.
This collection of short stories from the prominent Urdu writers Manto and Chugtai , has earned all the stars I could give. It should be read by one all. A ‘KEEPER FOREVER’
In this treasure chest of a novel, every story turned out to be a gem. It was amazing to see how both the authors addressed sensitive issues such as sexuality, religion, politics, dogmas and partition in ' Manto And Chugtai: The Essential Tales ' with such ease and candor. I was fascinated with the stories – especially “Toba Tek Singh”, “Kafir” “The Quilt (This story is now forever embedded in my heart. I literally keeled over in pain of the character) ”, "Smell", “Sacred Duty” and "The Black Shalwar" – and the memorable characters.
“If you cannot bear these stories then the society is unbearable. Who am I to remove the clothes of this society, which itself is naked. I don't even try to cover it, because it is not my job, that's the job of dressmakers.”
‘Manto and Chughtai: The Essential Stories’ is a collection of stories written by two of the most controversial authors Ismat Chughtai and Saadat Manto, and carefully translated by by Muhammed Umar Memon, M Asaduddin with regard to the core of each tale, maintaining Chughtai and Manto’s original style and its effect.
This collection of short stories from the prominent Urdu writers Manto and Chugtai , has earned all the stars I could give. It should be read by one all. A ‘KEEPER FOREVER’
May 8, 2020
This is a beautiful half and half book It has around 6-8 stories each of both authors (some of their best works). Some of these stories are very simple and short but they’re so powerful, raw and brutal that they came back to haunt me. Ismat Chugtais works particularly had me reeling over with emotions and grief (such as Toba Tek, Open It, The Wedding suit) - especially those related to partition and women. The violence of partition is something that our generation has forgotten - it’s almost an afterthought because we have grown with other issues to contend with - but we must never forget the loss, the horror, and the misery. These stories are a window to that period.
If you’re apprehensive about translations especially of a rich language like Urdu - I am with you. Somewhere in the translations, the original prose loses its beauty and depth but I would tip my hat to the translators here because this book still managed to pack a punch to the gut.
If you’re apprehensive about translations especially of a rich language like Urdu - I am with you. Somewhere in the translations, the original prose loses its beauty and depth but I would tip my hat to the translators here because this book still managed to pack a punch to the gut.
December 31, 2024
the best of both authors put together in one beautiful book<3 i did question some of the translation choices but ultimately i thought that they delivered as much of the feeling of the original stories as possible
July 12, 2022
Was fascinated by the boldness of both authors to push the envelope on what is acceptable at a time when India and Pakistan were being separated. Hard to imagine how such writing will be received in mainstream in either country today.
March 14, 2024
I've read some of Manto's and Chughtai's works seperately before but this time, reading them in a single collection made me look at both the similarities and the differences between not only their writing styles but the subject matters they chose to write about.
While both of them have a flair for writing about harsh day-to-day realities of common (at times severely subjugated people), Manto's stories are a bit more on the spectrum of pointlessness, as if he's telling the stories just for the sake of telling them but for Chughtai, it's the opposite, as if all of her stories are written to shed light on some or the other discrepancy in the societal norms.
I enjoyed most of the stories, in the sense that they were well written because their content more often than not was quite depressing but my favourites have to be:
- Kafir by Ismat Chughtai showing the absurdity of organised religion and their myriad rules through the eyes of a young couple,
- The Scared Duty by Ismat Chughtai for its hilarious way of dealing religious rules,
- The Wedding Suit by Ismat Chughtai, a cynical tale equating weddings to death,
- Toba Tek Singh by Saadat Hasan Manto, a disturbing yet humourous tale about the partition of India through the eyes of asylum patients
As you can see, I didn't like as many of Manto's stories as I did Chughtai's but I do like Manto as a writer and would like to check out more of his stuff, just that his stories from this collection couldn't quite make an impression on me.
Anyways, I would definitely recommend it to people who want to explore more partition writing. And if you choose to pick this up because you discovered the charges of indecency against the two authors, you'd be sorely disappointed because the only indecency in these stories is how they expose the underbelly of the Indian and Pakistani society.
While both of them have a flair for writing about harsh day-to-day realities of common (at times severely subjugated people), Manto's stories are a bit more on the spectrum of pointlessness, as if he's telling the stories just for the sake of telling them but for Chughtai, it's the opposite, as if all of her stories are written to shed light on some or the other discrepancy in the societal norms.
I enjoyed most of the stories, in the sense that they were well written because their content more often than not was quite depressing but my favourites have to be:
- Kafir by Ismat Chughtai showing the absurdity of organised religion and their myriad rules through the eyes of a young couple,
- The Scared Duty by Ismat Chughtai for its hilarious way of dealing religious rules,
- The Wedding Suit by Ismat Chughtai, a cynical tale equating weddings to death,
- Toba Tek Singh by Saadat Hasan Manto, a disturbing yet humourous tale about the partition of India through the eyes of asylum patients
As you can see, I didn't like as many of Manto's stories as I did Chughtai's but I do like Manto as a writer and would like to check out more of his stuff, just that his stories from this collection couldn't quite make an impression on me.
Anyways, I would definitely recommend it to people who want to explore more partition writing. And if you choose to pick this up because you discovered the charges of indecency against the two authors, you'd be sorely disappointed because the only indecency in these stories is how they expose the underbelly of the Indian and Pakistani society.
February 17, 2020
Dwelling into the world of Hindi and Urdu fiction, and I enjoyed the rawness and the depiction of real emotions and circumstances so much. Will surely recommend this to people trying to broaden their worldview. This beautiful half & half book will bring to light not only the beautifully brutal reality of women but also give you insights into the writing process of a man and a woman influencing each other and their art.
December 25, 2021
What a pleasure and a privilege to read. One of the best books I bought from Bombay's Privthi Theatre bookshop back in November 2019. Also, I really appreciate the translation, it is top notch.
December 20, 2022
Saadat Hassan Manto and Ismat Chughtai both were known for their bold and controversial takes on the ugliness of the society and the stories included in this collection are bound to make one uncomfortable. But the thing is, you have to understand their intent. They stories lifts the veil of comfort to show the bitter truth without any disguise.
They also represent the vast inequality between what is accepted in case of men and women and how women are brainwashed in numerous ways and how men get away with almost anything or in other cases it is the opposite.
These stories make your heart bleed with disgust and anger. I am still not over the shock of The Wedding Suit written by Chughtai. The whole concept of girls wasting away their lives waiting for marriage and how they are shamed if they are not wed early or how they bound to suffer all their lives was heart-shattering. Then it was the heartwrenching tale of Gainda. The Quilt had to be the boldest given the times it was written it but the again it shows what happened when their are unfulfilled desires. The whole idea of inter-faith marriages was interesting to read.
Now, coming to Manto, I feel he was a man of layers. A man who was way too sensitive for this world. He saw the ugliest and cruellest sides of human beings and bled their stories on paper. The trauma, the abandonment, the poverty and dire circumstances faced by his characters was sometimes too much.
Lastly, these stories are surely not for the faint-hearted. Also, the other side of Manto represented in the essay written about him by Chughtai had me in tears.
They also represent the vast inequality between what is accepted in case of men and women and how women are brainwashed in numerous ways and how men get away with almost anything or in other cases it is the opposite.
These stories make your heart bleed with disgust and anger. I am still not over the shock of The Wedding Suit written by Chughtai. The whole concept of girls wasting away their lives waiting for marriage and how they are shamed if they are not wed early or how they bound to suffer all their lives was heart-shattering. Then it was the heartwrenching tale of Gainda. The Quilt had to be the boldest given the times it was written it but the again it shows what happened when their are unfulfilled desires. The whole idea of inter-faith marriages was interesting to read.
Now, coming to Manto, I feel he was a man of layers. A man who was way too sensitive for this world. He saw the ugliest and cruellest sides of human beings and bled their stories on paper. The trauma, the abandonment, the poverty and dire circumstances faced by his characters was sometimes too much.
Lastly, these stories are surely not for the faint-hearted. Also, the other side of Manto represented in the essay written about him by Chughtai had me in tears.
March 17, 2023
"Manto-Chughtai The Essential Stories" is a collection of selected stories by Manto (6 stories) and Chughtai (8 stories) and 1 writeup by Chughtai on Manto about her relationship with him, his eccentricity and the man he was.
This is the first time I read the works of these two renowned Urdu writers and I enjoyed them very much, especially Ismat Chughtai. Her stories have a good dose of humour even when they are about serious or important issues, and they made me chuckle all through. Saadat Hasan Manto's stories are different in their own right and leave you mulling over them for a long time.
The themes of the stories by both the writers in this collection are partition, communal violence and sexuality, which are bold for the times when they were written. The translators Muhammad Umar Memon and M Asaduddin have done wonderful jobs.👏
Also, this book is quite unique because you can read it from both ends, one writer from each side. You can see that in the shared picture.
IN A NUTSHELL: A wonderful collection to start reading Chughtai and Manto. Bold and beautiful stories. Will definitely read more of them.❤️
This is the first time I read the works of these two renowned Urdu writers and I enjoyed them very much, especially Ismat Chughtai. Her stories have a good dose of humour even when they are about serious or important issues, and they made me chuckle all through. Saadat Hasan Manto's stories are different in their own right and leave you mulling over them for a long time.
The themes of the stories by both the writers in this collection are partition, communal violence and sexuality, which are bold for the times when they were written. The translators Muhammad Umar Memon and M Asaduddin have done wonderful jobs.👏
Also, this book is quite unique because you can read it from both ends, one writer from each side. You can see that in the shared picture.
IN A NUTSHELL: A wonderful collection to start reading Chughtai and Manto. Bold and beautiful stories. Will definitely read more of them.❤️
July 31, 2025
I read it because of Manto but stayed because of Chughtai.
There are two differences between these two. First of all, their moral positions. It can be clearly seen in "My Friend, My Enemy" a reminiscence by Chughtai about Manto. Manto's personality seems obscure and dishonest with himself — his arrogance and desire to fog us about his true views on the themes he writes makes me lean towards Chughtai. Not to say that i disliked Manto (and I usually like to "kill" the writer before reading, thus freeing myself from his/her voice, so Manto's fuzziness didn't bother me that much) I actually enjoyed his work to a certain extent, especially the short story "Sharda", one of the sincerest ones.
Secondly, the detailing by Chughtai is way better packed and rigorous than Manto's. And her grabbing and hauling us through the feminine perspective of Hindustani life, usually not so well-known, made her writing particularly compelling.
P.S. I'd like to emphasise that this edition lacks precision in interpretation and a lot of Hindu words left untranslated and unexplained leading to unwanted googling sessions.
There are two differences between these two. First of all, their moral positions. It can be clearly seen in "My Friend, My Enemy" a reminiscence by Chughtai about Manto. Manto's personality seems obscure and dishonest with himself — his arrogance and desire to fog us about his true views on the themes he writes makes me lean towards Chughtai. Not to say that i disliked Manto (and I usually like to "kill" the writer before reading, thus freeing myself from his/her voice, so Manto's fuzziness didn't bother me that much) I actually enjoyed his work to a certain extent, especially the short story "Sharda", one of the sincerest ones.
Secondly, the detailing by Chughtai is way better packed and rigorous than Manto's. And her grabbing and hauling us through the feminine perspective of Hindustani life, usually not so well-known, made her writing particularly compelling.
P.S. I'd like to emphasise that this edition lacks precision in interpretation and a lot of Hindu words left untranslated and unexplained leading to unwanted googling sessions.
June 8, 2024
"Manto and Chughtai: The Essential Stories" is a new translation that brings together the works of Saadat Hasan Manto and Ismat Chughtai, translated by Muhammad Umar Memon and M. Asaduddin, respectively. This collection highlights the interconnected lives of these two bold Urdu writers of the twentieth century. Manto and Chughtai, who wrote during the same period and were linked with the Progressive Writers' Movement, both favored a minimalist writing style over embellishment. This Penguin edition celebrates their literary bond by including key stories from both writers in one volume.
Among Manto's works, my favorite is "Open It!," a brief yet deeply unsettling story. From Chughtai's works, "Communal Colour" stands out, as it features two child protagonists—one Muslim, one Hindu—who use stock phrases of communal hatred in a playful exchange, highlighting the absurdity of their supposed differences. This collection contains 14 stories and is an essential read.
Among Manto's works, my favorite is "Open It!," a brief yet deeply unsettling story. From Chughtai's works, "Communal Colour" stands out, as it features two child protagonists—one Muslim, one Hindu—who use stock phrases of communal hatred in a playful exchange, highlighting the absurdity of their supposed differences. This collection contains 14 stories and is an essential read.
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February 12, 2025The format of this is delish - the book is split in upside down halves, you flip the Manto side to read the Chughtai side. In the dead center of the book, an essay by Chughtai memorializing her friendship with Manto, exploring that relationship in the times before and after they were split by the partition.
In practice, I found Manto's stories to be more effectively translated - but both authors were writing culturally specific yarns, and I would've been missing context even if both were perfectly transposed from Urdu to English without an iota of magic lost.
Both authors tend to center their tales on characters who are imprisoned by class, gender constructs, sexual repression, fordbidden love, and their own stormy outlooks. Many of these stories are bleak. One in particular (Open It!) features an abrupt ending that dips into magical realism as it reveals something truly soul curdling...
In practice, I found Manto's stories to be more effectively translated - but both authors were writing culturally specific yarns, and I would've been missing context even if both were perfectly transposed from Urdu to English without an iota of magic lost.
Both authors tend to center their tales on characters who are imprisoned by class, gender constructs, sexual repression, fordbidden love, and their own stormy outlooks. Many of these stories are bleak. One in particular (Open It!) features an abrupt ending that dips into magical realism as it reveals something truly soul curdling...
December 30, 2024
my first introduction to both Manto and Chughtai’s works <3 Sadaat Hasan Manto….where have you been all my life. This awakened a new obsession with him, I will definitely be reading more of his works. I love each and every one of Chughtai’s female characters, they are so brass and explosive and interesting. The Quilt (Chughtai) and Open It (Manto) were my favourites from the collections. I also adored My Friend! My Enemy! It was so nice to read about their friendship and get some insight into their lives. One critique I have is the stories felt empty in some places, like some of the prose was lost in translation. Maybe that’s something that can’t be helped when reading translated works. I guess it’s time for me to learn how to read Urdu.
August 2, 2021
The compilation has more of Chughtai's stories than Manto's. That said, both are beautiful, gripping, spine chilling, consolatory - depending on which story you read. I feel that the gravity of the stories can be best felt in Hindi or Urdu, but even English does not fall short of delivering the impacts. I suggest to read all stories of both of them before reading "My Friend, My Enemy" by Chughtai. That story is more of an experience of the friendship of the two prolific writers. Just like the cover of the anthology, they were opposites yet together.
May 31, 2021
Stunning. I can't wait to read these stories in Urdu. In "My Friend, My Enemy," Chughtai writes:
On the contrary, I don't think the world will ever forget these two. I'm so grateful that there's so much more of their work that I haven't read yet.
"The world that drove [Manto] to death is my world as well. It was his turn today. Tomorrow it will be mine. . . . Time will pass, the burden of sorrow will gradually lighten, and then they will forget everything."
On the contrary, I don't think the world will ever forget these two. I'm so grateful that there's so much more of their work that I haven't read yet.
January 27, 2024
I'm thankful to the author for making the works of Manto and Idmat Chugtai accessible to someone like me who doesn't read Urdu.
The sense I get is a lot of the essence of the original is lost in translation?
I was left grasping for threads of coherence and a sense of incompletion in parts, but loved how ahead of yheir times these authors were.
I'd love to go back and read the original works some day
The sense I get is a lot of the essence of the original is lost in translation?
I was left grasping for threads of coherence and a sense of incompletion in parts, but loved how ahead of yheir times these authors were.
I'd love to go back and read the original works some day
September 3, 2024
I found it and Okay read primarily because these are translated stories. Especially the stories of Chughtai lost their essence in translation. I hope I read them in their original Urdu script someday.
I found the stories of Manto better than the others.
I liked the style of dividing the book into two halves and can be read both ways. In between the two halves is a long story by Chughtai of her friendship with Manto which was beautiful ❤️
I found the stories of Manto better than the others.
I liked the style of dividing the book into two halves and can be read both ways. In between the two halves is a long story by Chughtai of her friendship with Manto which was beautiful ❤️
September 20, 2025
Very interesting collection of short stories. Lots of insight into Indian culture, the partition, and interfaith relationships. I ended up liking Mato's stories slightly more and would like to read more. Needed my phone handy to understand what various words/ concepts where but this was an enjoyable part of the experience.
Favourite stories:
The Quilt
Gainda
Touch me not
Tobacco Tek Singh
The black Shalwar
Sharda
by far- My Friend, My Enemy!
Favourite stories:
The Quilt
Gainda
Touch me not
Tobacco Tek Singh
The black Shalwar
Sharda
by far- My Friend, My Enemy!
December 18, 2025
This Penguin essential collection of short stories by Saadat Hasan Manto and Ismat Chughtai is deeply moving and beautifully written. Each story lingers long after you’ve finished reading.
The themes feel raw and honest, and the characters feel painfully real. It’s the kind of stories that doesn’t rely on drama, but still manages to touch you deeply.
A thoughtful and heart-touching collection that stays with you.
The themes feel raw and honest, and the characters feel painfully real. It’s the kind of stories that doesn’t rely on drama, but still manages to touch you deeply.
A thoughtful and heart-touching collection that stays with you.
March 5, 2020
I just randomly picked up this book as Chugtai and Manto have been a part of my Literature graduation days and I just wanted to go back in time.
This collection of stories by Manto and Chugtai has my heart. Even though I couldn't understand the deeper meaning of most of these stories and had to google the critical analysis of them (just like college days🙈🤣). I just found these gems mesmerizing. The book is also divided between two main themes, Partition and Sex and Sexuality. I have always thought that translations must lose some charm of the original writing but these English translations of Urdu stories still pack a punch. My favourite has always been Lihaf (The Quilt) and I am just amazed at Chugtai's guts to write this in that time. What a woman! 😍
Absolutely recommend this collection of stories by these two controversial authors to everyone. I finished this in two days in the metro while travelling to work!
I am no one to rate this masterpiece but I give it full 5 stars!!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
This collection of stories by Manto and Chugtai has my heart. Even though I couldn't understand the deeper meaning of most of these stories and had to google the critical analysis of them (just like college days🙈🤣). I just found these gems mesmerizing. The book is also divided between two main themes, Partition and Sex and Sexuality. I have always thought that translations must lose some charm of the original writing but these English translations of Urdu stories still pack a punch. My favourite has always been Lihaf (The Quilt) and I am just amazed at Chugtai's guts to write this in that time. What a woman! 😍
Absolutely recommend this collection of stories by these two controversial authors to everyone. I finished this in two days in the metro while travelling to work!
I am no one to rate this masterpiece but I give it full 5 stars!!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
June 7, 2020
Both Manto and Chugtai are known for their strong storytelling. Manto's stories sent a shivering down my spine, especially the stories during the partition of India and Pakistan. Chugtai's stories revealed a narrative of the neglected women of the household, their strong desires, and a surprise element was the mention of homosexuality in a pre-independent India.
July 27, 2023
4.5 stars -- i love Manto and Chughtai so much and the fact that it took me almost 2 years to finish this means nothing okay!! truly cannot wait to read everything they've ever written. also, 'my friend, my enemy' was absolutely gorgeous and it gives me so much joy to think about how these two were best friends and frenemies.
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January 27, 2024Frozen and Quilt are my obvious favourites. Both explored politics and morality of the day through the lens of sexuality.
I liked Manto‘s works more. Probably because Chugtai‘s stories were not very relatable to.me.
I liked Manto‘s works more. Probably because Chugtai‘s stories were not very relatable to.me.
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December 29, 2019DNFed because the translation was not working for me. I will try getting urdu audiobook for them or work on my urdu and read them eventually in Urdu.
August 15, 2020
Good book. Some stories are really intriguing and make you wonder.
January 19, 2022
Manto and Chugtai are two writers who offer life in a beautiful platter.
June 14, 2022
Intriguing short stories, yet couldn't connect enough since I read them in English. Recommend to read them in Hindi or Urdu
September 28, 2022
As always the best.. But since I have read the stories of Manto in Hindi/Urdu I found the translations a little off and short.. Nevertheless the best as always..
March 19, 2023
Delights you, enriches you, takes you to a different time and sometimes shakes you from within.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews