In "Rebel English Academy", Mohammed Hanif unleashes another scathing satire that tackles Pakistan's turbulent history and politics with trademark irreverence. This latest novel from the author of Booker-longlisted debut "A Case of Exploding Mangoes" confirms his position as one of south Asia's most subversive voices.
The story takes a dramatic turn after the execution of former socialist PM Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, with disgraced intelligence officer Gul being posted to OK Town, a sleepy backwater where he must create his own entertainment and find a mission to redeem himself. However, trouble soon finds its way to the doorstep of Sir Baghi's Rebel English Academy, a tuition centre for basic English nestled within the compound of the local mosque.
Enter Sabiha, an unexpected visitor who is on the run from her husband's mysterious death in a fire, and her parents' imprisonment as Bhutto loyalists. With an attitude that could give Gul a run for his money, Baghi reluctantly agrees to put her up at the academy, where she must navigate the mundane world of student life while hiding in plain sight.
Through Sabiha's first-person chapters, "homeworks" threaded through the narrative, Hanif expertly weaves together slapstick comedy, cat-and-mouse thrillers, and serious reckoning. The result is a tale that powerfully confronts rape culture, media censorship, and the suppression of dissent with unflinching honesty.
One of the novel's greatest achievements lies in reclaiming gossip and hearsay from the margins of formal politics, effectively dramatising how they can subvert the monopoly on state-sanctioned truth. Hanif's critique of Pakistan's pervasive cult of "shahadat" or martyrdom is biting, targeting corrupt power, institutions claiming to offer salvation, patriarchal norms, and the instrumentalisation of the Qur'an.
Meanwhile, Baghi and Imam Molly serve as ideological counterweights, representing secular and religious convictions respectively. Hanif presents both characters as far from exemplary, with their relationship gesturing toward the limits of ideological purity and the necessity of compromise.
Ultimately, "Rebel English Academy" is a story about rebels of tomorrow - children who are taught to doubt and question through the academy's unorthodox methods. It's a canny, insurgent spirit that courses through every page of this remarkable novel, making it a sure-fire Booker contender that crackles with incendiary themes and theses.
The story takes a dramatic turn after the execution of former socialist PM Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, with disgraced intelligence officer Gul being posted to OK Town, a sleepy backwater where he must create his own entertainment and find a mission to redeem himself. However, trouble soon finds its way to the doorstep of Sir Baghi's Rebel English Academy, a tuition centre for basic English nestled within the compound of the local mosque.
Enter Sabiha, an unexpected visitor who is on the run from her husband's mysterious death in a fire, and her parents' imprisonment as Bhutto loyalists. With an attitude that could give Gul a run for his money, Baghi reluctantly agrees to put her up at the academy, where she must navigate the mundane world of student life while hiding in plain sight.
Through Sabiha's first-person chapters, "homeworks" threaded through the narrative, Hanif expertly weaves together slapstick comedy, cat-and-mouse thrillers, and serious reckoning. The result is a tale that powerfully confronts rape culture, media censorship, and the suppression of dissent with unflinching honesty.
One of the novel's greatest achievements lies in reclaiming gossip and hearsay from the margins of formal politics, effectively dramatising how they can subvert the monopoly on state-sanctioned truth. Hanif's critique of Pakistan's pervasive cult of "shahadat" or martyrdom is biting, targeting corrupt power, institutions claiming to offer salvation, patriarchal norms, and the instrumentalisation of the Qur'an.
Meanwhile, Baghi and Imam Molly serve as ideological counterweights, representing secular and religious convictions respectively. Hanif presents both characters as far from exemplary, with their relationship gesturing toward the limits of ideological purity and the necessity of compromise.
Ultimately, "Rebel English Academy" is a story about rebels of tomorrow - children who are taught to doubt and question through the academy's unorthodox methods. It's a canny, insurgent spirit that courses through every page of this remarkable novel, making it a sure-fire Booker contender that crackles with incendiary themes and theses.
mohammed hanif is like a genius or something, his writing is so sharp and incisive it's like he's cutting through all the BS in pakistan's politics and society. i love how he tackles tough topics like rape culture and media censorship with such honesty and humor - sabiha's character is literally my spirit animal 
i also appreciate how he portrays Baghi and Imam Molly as complex, flawed characters who don't have all the answers. it's so refreshing to see a novel that doesn't shy away from the messy realities of life! 
can't wait for mohammed hanif to win the booker again 
just read the review for "Rebel English Academy" by @MohammedHanif 
Pakistan's history & politics are so complex but Hanif breaks it down in a way that's both funny and thought-provoking 
74% of reviewers on Goodreads said it was "absorbing" 
42% gave it 5 stars 
average rating: 4.32/5 
interesting fact: this novel is part of the Booker Prize longlist 
76% of reviews mention Hanif's writing style as one of the highlights 
did you know that "Rebel English Academy" has been translated into 10 languages? 
like, what's the point of even trying to fix things if you're just gonna complain about them nonstop? Hanif's got some good points tho, i guess. his idea of reclaiming gossip and hearsay from the margins of politics is actually kinda genius 
but, come on, can't he just have one happy ending for once? this whole book is like a never-ending parade of disappointment 
And can we talk about how Hanif tackles some serious issues like rape culture and media censorship? It's like he's not afraid to get real! 
The way he critiques Pakistan's "shahadat" cult is, like, so biting and accurate. I'm also loving the dynamic between Baghi and Imam Molly - it's all about finding that messy middle ground. 
I'm loving this new novel by Mohammed Hanif! He's always been a master of satire, but I think he's really taken his game to the next level this time around 
The way he tackles tough topics like rape culture, media censorship, and patriarchal norms is just so incisive and unflinching 
. And I love how he uses humor and absurdity to subvert these power structures - it's not often you see satire that's both funny and biting at the same time 
. But what really gets me about this novel is its focus on the future, on a new generation of rebels who are being taught to question and doubt. It's so inspiring to think about all the young people out there who are going to be shaped by this kind of education and activism 
. Seriously though, this novel is gonna be a total winner - it's got everything: politics, gossip, and social commentary 
. Still, I guess you have to give Hanif credit for tackling some tough topics 
. Maybe this novel will finally make people sit up and take notice... but I'm not holding my breath 
.
I love how he's using satire to tackle all these heavy issues like rape culture and media censorship, but also making it feel super accessible and relatable. And can we talk about Baghi and Imam Molly's dynamic? Like, they're literally the perfect counterweights to each other 
Hanif is def a master of subverting expectations and keeping you on the edge of your seat 