What do readers think of A Case of Exploding Mangoes by Mohammed Hanif? Write your own review.

I loved the beginning, found my self thinking of the main character, wondering what would happen, etc. Then, I lost interest. I stuck with the book, because I wanted to give it a fair review. Finally I just read the end, skipping about the last third. I don't know enough about Pakistani culture to know what was real and what was merely comedy. There were so many interesting characters, but not much character development. I will be interested to see what other readers felt about this book. I will also be interested in the next book Mohammed Hanif writes. I think this novel tries to introduce too many characters, but does not develop any of them enough.

If you like dark humor or if you just like a good adventure then this is the book for you. An adventure involving a crow, a curse, some mangoes and some very interesting characters on a very interesting escapade. I loved this book, it was a great read. To those of you who have ever had anything to do with the military...you will recognize some very typical characters that you can find in any army. For those of you who just love to read a good adventure....have fun reading!

This whirlwind of a book follows Junior Officer Ali Shigri of the Pakistan Air Force as he entangles himself in the complicated world of national politics. A host of colorful characters all seem to be working against each other, seeking revenge, glory, power, and sometimes love. Throughout the mayhem, Mohammed Hanif sprinkles a generous amount of satire. Although the action unfolds far from the U.S., many of this book’s themes will resonate with U.S. readers, I think.

This is a political thriller told on a very personal level. I connected with many of the characters, and this connection is what kept me quickly turning the pages even though I don’t typically enjoy political books. Despite the complicated, interwoven plot lines and the many characters, this is not a messy, sprawling book but rather a tightly controlled performance. I had no difficulty following the action, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Highly recommended.