So we’re going to discuss all the books in separate threads - just to keep the main one for ideas and suggestions for the books.
All of those who are done reading - please give another week so that everyone else can catch up! we will start discussing on Tuesday 
Thanks
Mysti -
Re: GS BOOKCLUB: The case of exploding mangoes
Ok so lets get it started!!
What did you all think of the Book? what characters appealed to you the most? What was your overall impression of the way it was written -
I have to say,that even though it's not the usual type of book I would normally read,I'm glad that I did.
Not really keen on any of the characters,a most unattractive bunch I must say other than Begum Zia...she is one feisty lady!...yay.go girl.The others just seemed rather insipid,and pathetic,esp the Shigri junior.
The style of writing I really enjoyed and the more I read,the more the charactors caricatures grew,IYKWIM....at the start it was just another novel with a missing cadet etc.But then as it progressed,the whole 'take off' of the Army,the ISI...and esp the portrayal of Gen. Zia really began.And once it did,it just grew in momentum,until the people just appeared rather comical and unreal.
Now,the ending really did do the book justice...heck,I have to go.Will check back later....
i didnt like it! the style of writing was the main reason i think, it was different from the type of books i normally like, but i trucked on hoping id like it and id get into it,sadly i didnt lol.
i dont think any of the characters were particualrly engaging or even likeable and though it was satire, i didnt find it that funny.
i have a feeling too that mine is gonna be the only bad review lol.
Re: GS BOOKCLUB: The case of exploding mangoes
hey guys, just thought i'd share a couple of thoughts. Like Sazzie, it was quite different from the usual style of writing i go for. I've gotta admit in some places it was pretty hard going and it took me alot longer to read than my usual books. I really didnt feel anything for the characters of Shigri and Obaid.
some of the more minor characters were pretty funny ie the crazy sheikhs, the union leader prisoner and the various toadying ministers BUt one of the highlights for me was the characterisation of General Zia as a paranoid, thick and extremely hypocritical dictator.
My favourite (huummm slight exaggeration maybe) was Begum Zia and reading all of her weird insights into her life as Mrs president. The part about the general and the american journalist was very very funny.
Re: GS BOOKCLUB: The case of exploding mangoes
It definitely was different. Not a book I would usually pick up from the library or bookstore at all -
I actually thought the character of Akhtar was pretty memorable - He had soo much control over the life of the Dictator. Even his death, they planned it out so sequentially -
Also the series of events relating to how much the Quran influenced the Presidents decisions over his personal life and to see him soo paranoid over "La illaha illa Anta Subhanaka Inni Kuntu Min'adhualimeen" and then to compare that to the kind of person he was as a President was amazing!
Not knowing much about those times in history I thought it was a good book for people to learn about that part. Obaid and Shigri did nothing major for me, even though most of the story revolved around them -
Begum Zia came across as a very powerful woman! Loved her character and her oonch neech with Zia ul Haq!
My thoughts on the book:
There was no cadence to the book - no lyrical flow in either the language, character development or the changing narrative POV. The way the author jumped from one scene to the next, really made it hard for me to feel engaged by either the characters or the plot of the book. I also found that very few of the characters were well described (with the exception of General Zia) and the characters did not inspire any empathy - so I struggled to enjoy the book.
The author sort of redeemed himself with the last part where he tied together all of the loose ends - but I didn't like how the author tried to be too clever - keeping me guessing about the motivations of the characters despite the outcome being known.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I found it odd to read about circumstances surrounding an actual historical event. Imputing characteristics and motivations on historical figures (who aren't so far removed from my own or my family's recollection) made me question the storytelling throughout. To me fiction should be fiction and sure you can use a historical event, but this sort of use of historical figures blurs the line and makes the read somewhat incredulous.
If I have to pick a favourite scene, it's when blind Zainab feeds the sparrows/crow and curses the people who have imprisoned her - I enjoyed the scene (although I have mixed feelings on the use of bird imagery/symbolism throughout the book).
Did the rest of you have a favourite scene? Do share with us.
Re: GS BOOKCLUB: The case of exploding mangoes
ok, so i wouldnt have read this book if it wasnt for GS. but im glad i did because i liked it quite alot, it was well written and kept the interest of the reader throughout the book.
I dont know if all the events are historically correct or not and one thing i disliked most about the book are the private/intimate details or descriptions in some areas of the book, forinstance when the physician was examining gen. Zia etc, i mean is it even true? cuz if its not then its really not respectful to state something like that...
all in all, i thought it was a very interesting book to read
will get back on fav. scene later :)
Re: GS BOOKCLUB: The case of exploding mangoes
My favourite scenes were the ones with general zia. I think they were extremely well written, funny, ironic but at the same time slightly cringe worthy.
The character created by Hanif, for me, was an enigma, a hypocrite of the worst order ie
on the one hand he was a man ho believed he was a pious and god fearing man yet on the other hand behaved in a totally abhorant manner eg the way in which he dealt with "blind Zainab".
The scenes with Shigri were really boring. I found myself skimming over alot these and i maybe thats one reason i didnt feel any empathy towards him or his friend. I think the author spent alot of time developing the other characters and somehow missed out on Shigri. If i'm totally honest, i didnt quite get him.
I dont know if all the events are historically correct or not and one thing i disliked most about the book are the private/intimate details or descriptions in some areas of the book, forinstance when the physician was examining gen. Zia etc, i mean is it even true? cuz if its not then its really not respectful to state something like that... all in all, i thought it was a very interesting book to read
I googled some of the information in the book just to see how much creative license the author exercised. One of the facts that was wrong was the timing of General TM's death - in reality, he died in 1989 - months after Zia ul-Haq's death.
Re: GS BOOKCLUB: The case of exploding mangoes
For me it was the scene where he constantly comes across the Ayaah from Surah Yusuf, it was soo powerful how that ayaah demolished that man from deep down inside.. so much so that he refused to step out of the Army house in fear -
Re: GS BOOKCLUB: The case of exploding mangoes
I'm kinda glad I read it because I'm not well-versed in Pakistani history of that time. But the fact that some parts of it were true while others were not makes it hard because I don't know which ones are incorrect. In any case, I don't know if I'm the only one who feels this way but I "liked" the portrayal of General Zia- it shows that he was trying to bring Islam to a country where it was all about nationalism. Sorta like what's happening in Pakistan right now- extremism in development.
About the Shigri guy and Obaid- yeah he needed more writing on them. I'm still confused a little about Obaid's intentions. Fav. scene- hmm, I guess when he goes out in Caliph Umar RA style and gets caught by the policeman. That was pretty funny, even though I doubt that actually happened.
Re: GS BOOKCLUB: The case of exploding mangoes
You guys know its a satire right? It is not a book of historical value right?
Re: GS BOOKCLUB: The case of exploding mangoes
I am half way through the book and though it has made me laugh rather my abs have been hurting but frankly the language used is whats only meant to be used among street people or very close friends with no ladies around. If anyone uses that language on GS he.she would be banned quickly.