From the Bookshelf of The Sword and Laser…

The Windup Girl

Paolo Bacigalupi

Start date: March 7, 2010

Finish date: May 17, 2010

Discussion: 2010 Reads

Why we're reading this: Our book pick, as chosen by Cory Doctorow.

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2010 Reads

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What Members Thought

Aug 05, 2010 Nathan added it

The Windup Girl is set in Thailand during what is referred to in the book as the Contraction. The Contraction is a prolonged period of economic disaster, caused by the ecological disasters of the preceding Expansion. Climate change has forced Bangkok—and presumably other low-lying areas—to erect massive barriers against the sea. Genetically-modified creatures roam freely, destroying the delicate ecological balance. New religions have formed, dedicated to living within one's niche. "Calorie compa The Windup Girl is set in Thailand during what is referred to in the book as the Contraction. The Contraction is a prolonged period of economic disaster, caused by the ecological disasters of the preceding Expansion. Climate change has forced Bangkok—and presumably other low-lying areas—to erect massive barriers against the sea. Genetically-modified creatures roam freely, destroying the delicate ecological balance. New religions have formed, dedicated to living within one's niche. "Calorie companies" rule the world. There are no fossil fuels, and energy is stored in mechanical springs.

The title character is a genetically-modified person. In Bangkok, these "New People" are treated as a criminal underclass, and Emiko the windup girl is no different. She is a sex worker whose clients only seem to like her for her novelty. As the book unfolds, she is caught up in events much bigger than her own life. There are also several other point-of-view characters; not all of them are as easy to sympathize with as Emiko.

The parts of the book that focused on Emiko felt like Blade Runner, but set in Bangkok instead of Los Angeles. There is a very un-human feel to Emiko's thought processes, and yet she is easy to root for. The setting is rich and detailed; it draws you in, even if the science part of the science fiction is a little suspect. Bacigalupi is a successful short story writer—this is his first novel—and several of his stories have been set in the world of The Windup Girl.

In the latter chapters of the book politics come to the fore. There are some parallels to the current unrest in Thailand, and I suspect to other important events in Thai history. This part of the book started to come apart for me precisely because it seemed to rely on an understanding of Thai history and culture that I lack.

Overall, I would recommend the book to anyone who is an avid reader of science fiction, particularly if they like dystopias. The Windup Girl may not be as bleak as The Road, but like Cormac McCarthy's work it paints a rather unpleasant picture of our future as a species. ...more

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Mar 21, 2016 Charlotte rated it did not like it

Shelves: shelved

It's not really that bad book but I got halfway through, set it down and have no interest in picking it up again. Very interesting world but the main character's racism was a big turn-off, and the writing about Emiko felt exploitative. ...more

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