3 Review(s)

Why I Write: Essays by Saadat Hasan Manto is a unique collection of non-fiction writings from one of the subcontinent’s greatest writers. The book is edited and translated by the famous author and journalist, Aakar Patel. Summary of the Book Aakar Patel brings out Saadat Hasan Manto’s genius as a writer, while dealing with life’s most routine and exciting things like bumming cigarettes, graveyards, a film troupe with diverse characters from mythology, a harsh division of troubles the subcontinent faces even after 6 decades of partition, despicable politicians, and the futility of living in fear. One of the master storytellers of the 20th century, Saadat Hasan Manto proclaims that he was forced to write when his wife consistently asked him to earn for the family. He doesn't point to any sort of genius when he talks about his writing skills, but honestly tells his readers that some of his stories were penned even as he tended to his daughters or blended a salad. Manto also talks about two of his favourite and repetitive themes in his works - women and the India-Pakistan Partition. He attempts to bring to attention the strange morality in the perspectives of feminine beauty and the pointless existence of religiosity in the formation of a nation he had to choose later in life. About Aakar Patel Aakar Patel is a famous journalist. He was associated with the newspapers in English and Gujarati languages for the Mid Day Group and the Dainik Bhaskar Group as the editor, where he also supervised the Urdu daily called Inquilab. He also writes regular columns for the Mint Lounge and Express Tribune, published from Pakistan.