There is an ancient saying that when lovers fall out, a plane goes down. This is the story of one such plane. Why did a Hercules C130, the worlds sturdiest plane, carrying Pakistans military dictator General Zia ul Haq, go down on 17 August, 1988? Was it because of: mechanical failure, human error, the CIAs impatience, a blind womans curse, generals not happy with their pension plans, the mango season or could it be your narrator, Ali Shigri? Teasing, provocative, and very, very funny, Mohammed Hanifs debut novel takes one of the subcontinents enduring mysteries and out if it spins a tale as rich and colourful as a beggars dream.