Reviews

This collection of short stories - although written well before I was born - tells the story of women around the world. As a Muslim Syrian-American woman reading these stories, I struggled to understand all the lingo. However, I found the themes of the stories still communicable. Without any satisfying, perfectly tied-up ending, these stories introduce fluctuation into the values we think we hold vehemently. There are a wide range of stories covering a wide range of topics including political independence, disability, death, standing up for your values, lesbianism, shame, and social pressure. Reading this collection requires contemplation. I was eager to finish the book because I was so intrigued and captivated, but in hindsight this book is meant to be read slowly and over time with much consideration and deliberation.

jawayria's review

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

some of the stories had endings that rlly punched me in the gut (in the best way). i like how she writes with subtlety and uses metaphors & lets u figure out what happened. her stories highlight the condition of pakistani society. must read for feminists & ppl interested in south asian culture.

space_dacait's review

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4.0

Chughtai’s The Quilt is her most famous work (the fact she abhorred for the rest of her life), but her autobiographical pieces are much better and hard-hitting. By the last piece, “In the name of those married women”, she is administering heavy shots of feminism that are at times radical even by current measures. MUST READ!

franalibi's review

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4.0

This is the third book in the four book collection of Penguin Women Writers that I’ve read. And it was definitely different from what I’ve read before!

Lifting The Veil by Ismat Chughtai is a collection of short stories exploring societal pressures, female sexuality and ‘slyly mocking the subtle tyrannies of middle class life’. As well as a few short memoirs from the author which includes her recount of when ‘The Quilt’ was taken to court for being obscene...

Even though this was written in the 1940s, the language in the stories are modern and ambitious which makes it really easy and enjoyable to read.

Aside from my usual light hearted, fantasy and general fiction reads, delving into something on a more serious side - with a little humour - that is not as well know was refreshing. Though I do admit, there were times when I was *slightly* lost at what was going on.

sookieskipper's review

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4.0

1. Gainda - 4/5
2. The Quilt - 5/5
3. The Wedding Suit - 3/5
4. Kafir - 2.5/5
5. Childhood - 4/5
6. The Net - 3/5
7. The Mole - 3/5
8. The Homemaker - 4/5
9. Touch-me-not - 3/5
10. Quit India - 4/5
11. The Survivor - 3/5
12. Sacred Duty - 3/5
13. Tiny Granny - 4/5
14. Vocation - 3/5
15. All Alone - 3/5
16. The Invalid - 5/5
17. Mother-in-law - 4/5
18. Roots - 3/5
19. Hell-bound - 3/5
20. My Friend, My Enemy - 4/5
21. In the name of those married women - 4/5

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