So a lot of the stories are based during the country’s freedom struggle or on the partition. But there are others like License which was my favorite and My name is Radha, that are women-oriented and portraying women in a positive light of strength, independence and giving us a glimpse of their helplessness due to lack of progress in the surrounding society.

The stories are simple and transcend boundaries and offer a peek into human conditions and thought processes. The story-telling is crisp, intuitive, curiosity–evoking, and quite simply riveting. The characters are remarkable, in a way that only in a few pages you will understand them intimately and so you might either love them or hate them.

Through all the stories one thing stands out quite clearly that Manto has a habit of portraying true human emotions and human nature without any inhibitions. And the poignancy and rawness of these encounters will charm you. That may also be the primary reason his stories were censored multiple times for obscenity.

I am glad I read this legendary collection by Sadat Hassan Manto, and now understand why he is considered one of the best short story writers of the subcontinent. I should also commend the translation by Aatish Taseer who has maintained the sensitivity and prose of the author’s unique writing.

I appeal to all readers young and old to please savor this wonderful collection of charming short stories.