There is a dessert, in the middle of it is a refugee camp and next to it is a hanger. Then there is Momo, Mutt and Ellie. Three persons meeting or rather discovering themselves in three different places. How that came to be? what happened? And most importantly, why it has happened? This book tries to answer all these questions albeit not in a straightforward manner.

This is the second book by Mohammed Hanif which I have read and I must say it’s also quite impressive although not that much captivating like the earlier read- A Case of Exploding Mangos. Unlike his previous work, Red Birds is not particularly rooted in any country as there is no mention of it neither there are any hints about any particular war raging there. In fact, there is mention of some other war torn regions like Kandahar and Mosul but they seem to be far away from this fictionalised refugee settlement.

Nonetheless there is war, planned by foreign powers in some alien lands for some political or strategic reasons which are far removed from the daily lives of the people suffering the brunt of it. One day they are common villagers, tending their goats and taking care of their crops, then the next day a bomb destroys their village and they become refugees. Author presents this reality in a plain, matter-of-fact tone.

So Momo is one such refugee kid, managed to remain alive when his home was bombed and now surviving in the harsh, dessert terrain as a refugee kid in a camp far removed from any civilisation. This entire camp is set up by international corporation and surviving on USAID. Ironically, the very nation who is bombing their houses is now providing them essentials to live. Well, there is nothing much to do around here than living on the handouts and cast away supplies from the USA army.

Momo’s father on the other hand, thinks differently. According to him, everyone has a job to do and his job of being a logistical coordinator is very important to him. He has even made sure to get a job for his eldest son- Ali at the same place where he works- USA Aircraft Hanger. But it’s been months since the hanger has shuttered down and Ali is yet to come home. And Momo is determined to bring back his brother. He is looking for an ally besides his fateful brain fried Mutt, whom he finds in Ellie.

Ellie, a US fighter pilot is here on a mission which goes awry after crashing his plane in the dessert. He is looking for a chance to escape from the dessert whereas Momo is looking to utilise his credentials as US army personnel for locating his big brother. There is only way to do this and that is to go to Hanger. What happens next and why this all is interconnected covers last few interesting chapters of this book.

Having said that, the entire book is laden with wit and dark humour. Be it Lady Flowerbody or Mother Dear, these women also add their own insights on this ever lasting war perpetrated by men. Throughout the book where the narrative unfolds from different characters’ perspective, we still see the author’s eye noting every small detail.

There are hardly any big speeches or heavy monologues talking about futility of the war but still this story manages to capture the beats of an aimless war machine. It’s about time for someone to notice those Red Birds.

All in all, I will certainly recommend it as an essential read to get an insider view of the numerous battles raging across the globe and the people surviving them.