Explore the enduring legacy of Saadat Hasan Manto, a pivotal figure in Urdu literature, in ‘The Pity of Partitio: Manto’s Life, Times and Work Across the India – Pakistan Divide’. This compelling book delves into Manto’s journey from a rising screenwriter in Bombay to a master storyteller in Lahore after the 1947 partition. Ayesha Jalal uses Manto’s personal letters, stories, and essays to illuminate the human cost of sectarian conflict and the dramatic aftermath of the British Raj. Discover how Manto’s sharp wit, irreverence, and keen eye for detail offer unique insights into cosmopolitan life in Bombay and Lahore, the complexities of partition, and the early Cold War in South Asia. An essential read for understanding a tumultuous era through the lens of a literary genius.