A Case of Exploding Mangoes cover art

A Case of Exploding Mangoes

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A Case of Exploding Mangoes

By: Mohammed Hanif
Narrated by: Paul Bhattacharjee
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About this listen

 There is a saying that when lovers fall out, a plane goes down.

A Case of Exploding Mangoes is the story of one such plane. Why did a Hercules C130, the world's sturdiest aircraft, carrying Pakistan's military dictator General Zia ul Haq, go down on 17 August, 1988?

Was it because of: mechanical failure; human error; the CIA's impatience; a blind woman's curse; generals not happy with their pension plans; the mango season? Or could it be your narrator, Ali Shigri?

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.

©2008 Mohammed Hanif (P)2008 W F Howes Ltd Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Political Spies & Politics Suspense Thriller & Suspense Espionage Fiction Pakistan Feel-Good Transportation Aviation

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Critic reviews

"Reader Paul Bhattacharjee gives voice to torture chambers, social satire, bucolic lyricisim 'night on the mountains is a black sheet flung from the skies' and Catch-22-style military slapstick with equal panache, through I suspect the real Zia was a little less cuddly than he makes him out to be." (Saturday)
"This explanatory novel, woven in language as explosive as the mangoes themselves, is wickedly cynical and reveals layers of outrageous - and pausible - corruption." (The Observer)
All stars
Most relevant  
I read the paperback version many years ago and it stayed with me so I had to find it again. The audio version is great too, bringing to life the characters and humour in the book. It's history, drama, farce, romance. Thoroughly recommended.

Fascinating and compelling

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Bhattacharjee's voice is amazing and makes the story even more spellbinding. The words and description hit many heart strings and even though the ending is known the suspense lingers .

The story is amazing

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I love his sarcasm! It’s a kind of book you need to pay attention when you listen not to miss any thing. I found myself lounging out loudly several times!

The reader is excellent which makes this audiobook simply brilliant!

Brilliant

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This is so good. Amusing, sharp-witted, clever and so full I will no doubt read it several times.

Amazing

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I wish I could give this book 10 stars. It is a fantastic story and so well narrated. I listened to this book on all my drives and the narrators voice is so engaging and the story itself captivating. Would definitely listen to it again

Amazing book and great storytelling

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Very well read and a captivating story but ends with a bit of an anti-climax. Worth the credit though and I may try Hanif's other book on Audible.

good but somewhat anti-climactic

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Brilliantly read by narrator. As others have said, a tremendously funny and brave work by Mr Hanif. By now a well established story of social and political satire with numerous contemporary themes. For me, the author's literary style has traces of V S Naipaul, Graham Greene, Jane Austen, Tom Sharpe, R K Narayan and E M Forster, all rolled into one. The narration by Paul Bhattacharjee is outstanding.

Excellent

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Would you listen to A Case of Exploding Mangoes again? Why?

I never listen to books more than once

What did you like best about this story?

I could feel the heat of the sun and the tension in the air. great story, well told well read. I want to visit Pakistan now!

What does Paul Bhattacharjee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

His voice and accent fitted the story and enriched my experience

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The very surprising love scene...no spoilers

Any additional comments?

I am still captivated by the story one week after finishing it, it made my trips to work in the car fly by

whatever happened to blind Zenab?

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If you could sum up A Case of Exploding Mangoes in three words, what would they be?

absolutely loved this book! the narrator was excellent, the story intriguing, witty and funny. definitely recommended.

Delightful!

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Entirely believable tale of Pakistani life under the first post-colonial military rule, written from the perspective of the leader and a lowly member of the military who has reason to bear a grudge. A beautifully written, gently and cleverly funny story.

The narration was pitch perfect for the characters and for the pace and style of the writing.

Splendid

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