The Unit in Around the World in 80 Books

Sep 07, 2025 Tony rated it really liked it

Shelves: translated-fiction, novels, setting-europe, speculative-fiction

In the afterword to this book, the Swedish novelist describes how at age 45, with no children, partner, close family, or traditional workplace, she could simply stop existing and it would be some time before any one would notice. This stark realization that she was not "indispensable" to anyone, and the mirroring concept that some people could be considered "dispensable" is the core of this thoughtful exploration of a vaguely dystopian future Sweden.

We meet Dorritt Wegner in the opening pages as ...more

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May 04, 2016 Laura (booksnob) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: literature, science-fiction, 2016, world-lit

Loved this dystopian translated book about what it means to be human and dispensable at age 50. Dorrit is dispensable because she doesn't have children.
OMG, it was awesome. It will blow you away!!
Takes place in Sweden. ...more

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Jan 02, 2018 Barondestructo rated it liked it

More than a little reminiscent of Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go, the setting is near future Sweden where childless seniors contribute to society by undergoing experimental treatments and giving up their organs and other essential body parts to those in need (although the contradiction that a lot of these experimental treatments would undermine the viability of some of these donated organs is never addressed). Similar in premise but quite different in execution in that The Unit lacks the character d ...more

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Jul 02, 2010 Daisy rated it liked it

Shelves: sweden, dystopia

Entertaining. Read it in a day. I hate to wonder if the author wrote it with this in mind, but it'd make a good movie. It was a satisfying read for a quiet Sunday. I'd have liked it less if it weren't Swedish. And I like the author's photograph here on goodreads where she's wearing a sloppy sweatshirt.

(to be needed vs. dispensable... Jock, the dog... luxury slaughterhouse--Elsa)

...more

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Oct 04, 2009 Katy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-that-will-add-to-my-paranoia, dystopia

This book's premise reminded me a lot of the Kazuo Ishiguro book Never Let Me Go which I also liked a lot. I am in a real dystopian phase and this fit right in - but it's also fast-paced and engaging in and of itself. I was itching to pick it back up every time I had to put it down. ...more

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May 22, 2010 C. rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, first-novel

The Unit
by Ninni Holmqvist

Good. Makes us think of what men going to do in the future with "dispensable people". Or did it start already? Could it be?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw8cFzrIG... ...more

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