Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of A Case of Exploding Mangoes
Mystery & Thriller· Pakistan

A Case of Exploding Mangoes

by Mohammed Hanif
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
commonwealth
Published 2008English
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

Published in 2008, A Case of Exploding Mangoes established Mohammed Hanif as one of the defining voices in mystery & thriller. A Case of Exploding Mangoes is a satirical novel that offers a fictional account of the events leading up to the mysterious plane crash that killed General Zia ul-Haq, the former President of Pakistan. Mohammed Hanif combines dark humor with political intrigue, crafting a narrative that critiques military dictatorship and explores themes of power and conspiracy. The novel is celebrated for its wit and its bold examination of Pakistan's political landscape. Themes of power, conspiracy, military dictatorship run through the work. The book has received recognition from Commonwealth Writers' Prize Best First Book 2009.

Book Details

AuthorMohammed Hanif
Published2008
Country of Origin🇵🇰 Pakistan
LanguageEnglish
Category🔍 Mystery & Thriller
ISBN9780307388185
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

🔍 Mystery & Thriller

Suspenseful fiction built around crime, detection, and hidden truths.

Explore all Mystery & Thriller books →
Country of Origin

🇵🇰 Pakistan

This book is part of Pakistan's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Pakistan →

Editorial Assessment

First published in 2008, Mohammed Hanif's A Case of Exploding Mangoes is a work of mystery & thriller that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with power, conspiracy, military dictatorship, satire gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. Critics and institutions have consistently placed A Case of Exploding Mangoes among the notable works of its period. Among its recognitions: Commonwealth Writers' Prize Best First Book 2009. Our aggregate score of 30/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. Readers coming to A Case of Exploding Mangoes for the first time will find a work that rewards patience. The book's handling of power, conspiracy, military dictatorship, satire is layered rather than didactic, and a second reading often reveals dimensions the first pass only hinted at. Mohammed Hanif's role in the literature of Pakistan is well established. A Case of Exploding Mangoes can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

commonwealth
winner · regional
20090
✍️
About the Author
Mohammed Hanif
Pakistan
View Author →

Mohammed Hanif is a Pakistan author whose work in mystery & thriller has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

The Tribe Manager
The Leadership Companion
The Tribe Manager
Leading People the Way Evolution Intended
Manage with human nature, you get loyalty. Manage against it, you get quiet quitting.
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of Piranesi
fantasy

Piranesi

Susanna Clarke· 2020
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Editorial Score94/100
Cover of A Brief History of Seven Killings
literary-fiction

A Brief History of Seven Killings

Marlon James· 2015
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score89/100
Cover of The Glorious Heresies
literary-fiction

The Glorious Heresies

Lisa McInerney· 2015
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Editorial Score89/100
Cover of The Luminaries
mystery-thriller

The Luminaries

Eleanor Catton· 2013
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score87/100
Cover of The Sympathizer
literary-fiction

The Sympathizer

Viet Thanh Nguyen· 2016
★Pulitzer Prize
Editorial Score81/100
Cover of We Need to Talk About Kevin
literary-fiction

We Need to Talk About Kevin

Lionel Shriver· 2005
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Editorial Score81/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is A Case of Exploding Mangoes about?

A Case of Exploding Mangoes is a satirical novel that offers a fictional account of the events leading up to the mysterious plane crash that killed General Zia ul-Haq, the former President of Pakistan. Mohammed Hanif combines dark humor with political intrigue, crafting a narrative that critiques military dictatorship and explores themes of power and conspiracy. The novel is celebrated for its wit and its bold examination of Pakistan's political landscape.

Who wrote A Case of Exploding Mangoes?

A Case of Exploding Mangoes was written by Mohammed Hanif, from Pakistan. First published in 2008.

What awards has A Case of Exploding Mangoes won?

A Case of Exploding Mangoes has received the following recognition: Commonwealth Writers' Prize Best First Book 2009.

Is A Case of Exploding Mangoes worth reading?

A Case of Exploding Mangoes is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in power, conspiracy, military dictatorship.

Where can I buy A Case of Exploding Mangoes?

You can buy A Case of Exploding Mangoes on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is A Case of Exploding Mangoes?

A Case of Exploding Mangoes is classified as Mystery & Thriller. Suspenseful fiction built around crime, detection, and hidden truths.

What country is A Case of Exploding Mangoes from?

A Case of Exploding Mangoes originates from Pakistan's literary tradition. Explore more books from Pakistan on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

🔍More Mystery & ThrillerBrowse all Mystery & Thriller books🇵🇰Books from Pakistan🇵🇰 Pakistan literature📅2000s BooksPublished in the 2000s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time