Much has been said about Manto's stories. This new edition by Nasreen Rehman will be comprising of three volumes, each covering different timelines of his life. Volume one is a mix of Bombay and Poona and the 56 stories that come within this beautiful cover are absolutely brilliant. Manto has often been known to hold up a mirror to the misogynistic and hypocritical society and reading his stories gives us an idea of how undeniably courageous he was.

Born in an undivided India, Manto shared close ties with both Bombay and Lahore. He had great friends in the literary circle after his move to Bombay where he began writing for a magazine. In the introduction of this book, we are given a detailed timeline of his life including the tumultuous relationship he had with his father. Having read this volume, I honestly can't wait for the next two to be out. Manto's stories are intense and covers a wide array of topics. If you're looking for a perfect start to dip your toes into the Manto world, I'd urge you to go ahead with this edition.