A Case of Exploding Mangoes

By Mohammed Hanif | Publisher: Doubleday Canada

About the book

Teasing, provocative, and very funny, Mohammed Hanif’s debut novel takes one of the subcontinent’s enduring mysteries and out if it spins a tale as rich and colourful as a beggar’s dream.

Why did a Hercules C130, the world’s sturdiest plane, carrying Pakistan’s military dictator General Zia ul Haq, go down on 17 August, 1988?
Was it because of:

1. Mechanical failure
2. Human error
3. The CIA’s impatience
4. A blind woman’s curse
5. Generals not happy with their pension plans
6. The mango season

Or could it be your narrator, Ali Shigri?

Here are the facts:

• A military dictator reads the Quran every morning as if it was his daily horoscope.
• Under Officer Ali Shigri carries a deadly message on the tip of his sword.
• His friend Obaid answers all life’s questions with a splash of eau de cologne and a quote from Rilke.
• A crow has crossed the Pakistani border illegally.

As young Shigri moves from a mosque hall to his military barracks before ending up in a Mughal dungeon, there are questions that haunt him: What does it mean to betray someone and still love them? How many names does Allah really have? Who killed his father, Colonel Shigri? Who will kill his killers? And where the hell has Obaid disappeared to?

Editions of A Case of Exploding Mangoes

Hardcover
ISBN 9780307268075
Hardcover
ISBN 9780385665025
Paperback
ISBN 9780385665032
Paperback
ISBN 9780307388186
EBook
ISBN 9780307269423
EBook
ISBN 9780307373366

Read an Excerpt

Teasing, provocative, and very funny, Mohammed Hanif’s debut novel takes one of the subcontinent’s enduring mysteries and out if it spins a tale as rich and colourful as a beggar’s dream.

Why did a Hercules C130, the world’s sturdiest plane, carrying Pakistan’s military dictator General Zia ul Haq, go down on 17 August, 1988?
Was it because of:

1. Mechanical failure
2. Human error
3. The CIA’s impatience
4. A blind woman’s curse
5. Generals not happy with their pension plans
6. The mango season

Or could it be your narrator, Ali Shigri?

Here are the facts:

• A military dictator reads the Quran every morning as if it was his daily horoscope.
• Under Officer Ali Shigri carries a deadly message on the tip of his sword.
• His friend Obaid answers all life’s questions with a splash of eau de cologne and a quote from Rilke.
• A crow has crossed the Pakistani border illegally.

As young Shigri moves from a mosque hall to his military barracks before ending up in a Mughal dungeon, there are questions that haunt him: What does it mean to betray someone and still love them? How many names does Allah really have? Who killed his father, Colonel Shigri? Who will kill his killers? And where the hell has Obaid disappeared to?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is A Case of Exploding Mangoes about?

Teasing, provocative, and very funny, Mohammed Hanif’s debut novel takes one of the subcontinent’s enduring mysteries and out if it spins a tale as rich and colourful as a beggar’s dream.

Why did a Hercules C130, the world’s sturdiest plane, carrying Pakistan’s military dictator General Zia ul Haq, go down on 17 August, 1988?
Was it because of:

1. Mechanical failure
2. Human error
3. The CIA’s impatience
4. A blind woman’s curse
5. Generals not happy with their pension plans
6. The mango season

Or could it be your narrator, Ali Shigri?

Here are the facts:

• A military dictator reads the Quran every morning as if it was his daily horoscope.
• Under Officer Ali Shigri carries a deadly message on the tip of his sword.
• His friend Obaid answers all life’s questions with a splash of eau de cologne and a quote from Rilke.
• A crow has crossed the Pakistani border illegally.

As young Shigri moves from a mosque hall to his military barracks before ending up in a Mughal dungeon, there are questions that haunt him: What does it mean to betray someone and still love them? How many names does Allah really have? Who killed his father, Colonel Shigri? Who will kill his killers? And where the hell has Obaid disappeared to?

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in A Case of Exploding Mangoes?

Fiction > Humorous fiction

Where can I read a sample of A Case of Exploding Mangoes?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780307268075

Who is/are the Author/s of the book A Case of Exploding Mangoes?

Mohammed Hanif

Who is the Publisher of the book A Case of Exploding Mangoes?

Doubleday Canada

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

A Case of Exploding Mangoes is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780307268075) and hardcover(ISBN 9780385665025) and paperback(ISBN 9780385665032) and paperback(ISBN 9780307388186) and ebook(ISBN 9780307269423) and ebook(ISBN 9780307373366)

Where can I buy A Case of Exploding Mangoes online or support local independent bookshops?

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