Penguin Random House India is thrilled to announce the acquisition of Rebel English Academy, the highly anticipated fourth novel by the award-winning Pakistani writer and journalist Mohammed Hanif. Known for his sharp wit and powerful storytelling, Hanif once again pushes boundaries with his latest work, set against the politically charged backdrop of Pakistan in the 1970s. Releasing under Penguin’s Hamish Hamilton imprint, the novel is slated to come out in the second half of 2025.
Mohammed Hanif is an internationally renowned author, best known for A Case of Exploding Mangoes, which was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and won several prestigious awards. His second novel, Our Lady of Alice Bhatti, was shortlisted for the Wellcome Book Prize, and his third, Red Birds, continues to receive widespread acclaim. Rebel English Academy is his fourth novel and promises to be another bold and unforgettable contribution to contemporary literature.
Taking off from the hanging of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the novel follows a captain haunted by a botched mission, a district champion runner, a former revolutionary and a progressive imam. As their lives intersect in the Rebel English Academy, a school within the premises of the local mosque of a grim small town, Hanif sets the stage for a critique of authoritarianism and a tale of loss and redemption. Weaving together political satire and dark humour, he explores themes of power, identity, survival and the complexities of faith and resistance.
Commenting on the upcoming book, Mohammed Hanif said, ‘I am thrilled to be working with Manasi and her team. Rebel English Academy is time travel back to my childhood and my home. Hope there are takers for the journey.’
Manasi Subramaniam, Editor-in-Chief, Penguin Press, Penguin Random House India, says ‘Mohammed Hanif’s Rebel English Academy is a masterful return to form, showcasing his unparalleled ability to find humour in the darkest corners of history. From its brilliant opening, Hanif weaves a darkly comedic tale that fearlessly explores language, love and revolution against the backdrop of political turmoil. This spiritual successor to A Case of Exploding Mangoes reaffirms Hanif as a vital voice in contemporary literature, unafraid to confront society’s absurdities and hypocrisies. Penguin Press is delighted to publish this unflinching, hilarious and profoundly important novel.’
Milee Ashwarya, Publisher, Adult Publishing Division, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘It was my pleasure to be around during the publication of The Case of Exploding Mangoes, and I am delighted that Hanif is back to Penguin for his new book The Rebel English Academy. Witty, dark and haunting the book is a treat for readers, and I am thrilled to publish it under Hamish Hamilton in 2025.’