Originally written in Urdu, these 15 short stories are of seminal importance in illustrating the development, acceptance, and historical progress of Indian women writers. They also delineate the reluctant approval of several topics in fiction, particularly lesbianism and homosexuality, which had been only tacitly recognized earlier in Indian life and literature. The title story, "The Quilt," is a pioneering achievement; when it was first published, Chughtai had to defend herself before the Imperial Crown Court of India. Other stories, such as "Sacred Duty," "Scent of the Body," and "The Morsel," also demonstrate the author's accomplishments, for her fiction is outspoken, humorous, sometimes cynical but always energetic and convincing. A highly significant account of women's longtime struggle to find their place in Indian society, with Chughtai leading the endeavor in both her writing and her life; recommended for public libraries.

尔斯麦特·楚鄂达伊(Ismat Chughtāī）是印度著名的乌尔都语小说家，穆斯林，女性。是乌尔都语小说的四大支柱之一（普列姆昌德、Bedi、门卓）。小说《Lihaaf》（棉被）因描写同性恋题材，受到淫亵物品的罪名指控，同门卓（因小说《气味》受到同样指控）一起前往拉合尔受审，成为文坛一段佳话。