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Shusterman, Neal - Unwind - REVISITED - Start Date: Dec 14,2014
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Kristie wrote: "chapter 61. :( "I was so creeped out by that part!
I am at about 30% not sure which chapter and I am wanting to look at your spoilers but I need to be further into the book. So, I am where (view spoiler)
I just finished this book and I loved it. The style it was written reminded me a lot of Feed so I looked up when they were written and this book was written before. I'm also GR friends with Seanan who wrote Feed and she gave it 5 stars. I'm thinking she stole his style. I don't blame her. I loved this kind of style.
Margaret wrote: "I am at about 30% not sure which chapter and I am wanting to look at your spoilers but I need to be further into the book. So, I am where [spoilers removed]"(view spoiler)
Stacie wrote: "Kristie wrote: "72% (chapter 38) I am shocked and ..."I was surprised by that too. I just finished and was happy to see [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)
Margaret wrote: "I have read up to Chapter 64 [spoilers removed]"I loved it too but it was also so sad. Freaky, and (view spoiler)
Kristie wrote: "Lol, Eni! A trout, huh? ;) I almost spit out my coffee!"rofl sorry xD it's a World of Warcraft thing xD
Chapter 64... jeez.. i don't usually cry in books or get that emotional like some other members of my family *whistles* BUT that chapter got me all messed up. (view spoiler). It was just so godam creepy >_<and i gotta say, i cried at the end of Feed *whistles*
I'm actually very fond of PoV changing. And this was very well done.
I loved Lev! (view spoiler)
About the Humphrey Dunfrees (view spoiler)
I didn't see Connor and Risa having that much of an evolution. (view spoiler)
This book was pretty brutal. I can't wait for book 2!
RachelvlehcaR wrote: "Margaret wrote: "I have read up to Chapter 64 [spoilers removed]"I loved it too but it was also so sad. Freaky, and [spoilers removed]"
I thought that part was so creepy too. (view spoiler)
Kristie wrote: "Eni - I liked the way the POV changed in this book also. Lev's character was great. [spoilers removed]" i'm with you on this xD though i'm not sure how they will be able to fit (view spoiler)
Eni wrote: "Kristie wrote: "Eni - I liked the way the POV changed in this book also. Lev's character was great. [spoilers removed]" i'm with you on this xD though i'm not sure how they will be able to fit [sp..."
Right. I figure (view spoiler)
Questions for Ch 1-8:1. Connor: A family that gave him up in secret, a girlfriend that left him to run away on his own, it sounds like he's completely unwanted. What do you think of his situation? Would you have run too?
Hell yeah I would have. I had a feeling she was going to back out (which still sucks either way) but the thing that got me most was that his family was going on vacation the day after he got unwound. That's all kinds of fucked up.
2. Risa: A ward of the state unable to prove her worth but lucks out with a bus accident to escape. Thoughts on her situation? Would you have tried to escape?
Yup. This book presents a lot of things that I almost can't wrap my head around, yet at the same time I feel like they're not out of the realm of possibility. Unwinding sounds like the scariest thing in the world and I would do everything I could to avoid it.
3. Lev: a tithe that wants to be unwound (!!!). This situation seems so completely different from the other two! What do you think of it? Would you rather know your whole life that you're an unwind or find out at the end?
I would probably rather know my whole life, so it didn't feel like someone yanked the rug out from under me. Lev totally threw me for a loop -- I was expecting him to be similar to the younger sister in My Sister's Keeper and he was the complete opposite.
4. Looks like Connor basically saves both Lev and Risa. Do you think he'll turn out to be the leader of this little team? Or was it just coincidence since he was the runaway?
I feel like he might, I sense leadership from him. Then again, I also sense leadership from Risa, given the chance. Lev I'm not so sure about.
5. To unwind is to send one's parts to others in order to make them whole again in hopes that your uselessness now will be useful in pieces later. What's your reaction to the unwind process?
Revolting.
6. Do you think Lev will come around and become part of the group? Or will he turn on them later?
I really don't trust him so far, but we'll see.
7. Are you liking the story so far? Do you like the writing style? How about the change of perspective? Any wild predictions?
The characters sucked me into the story from page one, and I really like the writing style.
Questions for Chapter 9-19:This section had tons of stuff going on!
8. Storking: to leave an unwanted baby on a porch for new owners. Whatever happened to adoption? Could you imagine just randomly receiving a baby on your porch and being responsible for it? Do you think this helps justify unwinding?
I definitely feel like it would help justify unwinding, but if I was the parent leaving the baby on a doorstep, I don't know if it would be enough for me to hope that they would raise it rather than just unwinding it when it turns 13. I feel like storking would produce a LOT of tithes.
9. What did you think of Risa's plan to be Didi and get clothes?
Whatever works! When you're fighting just to survive, all bets are off.
10. Their pictures aren't in the paper. Do you think the cops are hiding it? Why wouldn't they say unwinds are on the loose like usual? Is it because of the accident?
I suspect Lev's parents have something to do with it.
11. Another new term: Uploaded: to get pregnant. Gotta love the terminology in this book.
It's definitely clever, that's for sure!
12. Lev shows a human side when he says he doesn't want Risa and Connor killed (well other than being unwound, which is apparently not dying to him). Does this change how you see him at all?
Erm... well, it's difficult because I personally don't see a difference between dying and being unwound, so not really, no. He still strikes me as very bizarre.
13. What a horrible story about the storked baby in the neighborhood! I wonder if that's a common occurance?
I feel like the anecdotes in this book are what makes the overall story feel so real and I love it for that, but yes that story was awful.
14. Lev finally runs. Turns out, his parents never reported him lost! He's free to do whatever he wants with life! Although now he's more lost then ever before. Totally different then the other unwinds. Thoughts?
Good luck figuring out your "life" and good riddance.
15. Clappers: explosive blood? Terrorist attacks? Thoughts on what these are?
Very weird, but a nice twist to the story. I suppose if I was the vengeful sort (and I know I've got the capability) and found out my parents were going to unwind me, I'd probably get angry and want to take a few others out with me. Most likely people in authority or people who run the facilities.
16. So we get a bit of a timeline here. Apparently they are 2 generations in the future where ipods and plasma screens are just showing up in antique shops. So imagine these children as your grandchildren or great-grandchildren.
Oh dear. That just sounds weird lol. I don't want to think about getting old yet!
17. New people. Hannah, Sonia, and now more unwinds. Do you trust them? What do you think of the other unwinds?
I like Hayden, and Mai sounds interesting. I was unsure about Hannah at first, but I think she's a good person. And Sonia is awesome for what she does.
18. Humphrey Dunfee. Do you think it's true or just a ghost story?
Don't all urban legends have some basis in fact? I dunno, this one could go either way but it sounds like a ghost story to me.
19. And finally...the letter. How hard that must be to write! I couldn't imagine. Looks like we might get Risa's letter next chapter. Any predictions on who she will write to?
Ohhh that would be a draining experience, but hopefully cathartic, the way it was for Connor. Mine would probably turn into stream-of-consciousness, without punctuation or even caring about the lines on the page. Risa... maybe she'll write to the people who decided to have her unwound and just unload on them.
Questions for Chapters 20-25:20. The kids are picked up by the Ice Cream Man, literally, and are off to the Graveyard? Any predictions on what the graveyard is? Do you think the warehouse they are at the end of the section is the graveyard?
Part of me hopes it's going to be a good place, a sanctuary for them -- the other part is terrified that this is all a huge trap and they're going to wind up getting unwound anyway.
21. Did you read the short news article at the beginning of Part 3? Do you think it describes the start of unwinding? The first events?
That was bizarre. I wasn't sure if that was fiction or an actual legit news story, but either way it definitely helps ground the book itself.
22. Lev finds a new travelling companion, Cyfi. What do you think of him?
He seems rather volatile -- for as much as people seem to identify Connor as a loose cannon, I would pick CyFi over Connor in terms of who would go off first.
23. This is the 2nd time we've heard that a part of the body that comes from an unwind seems to have a mind of it's own. The first time was with the truck driver with the hand that had muscle memory from before and now the frontal lobe that has actual memories from the kid. Creeped out yet? Maybe the kids really are living on in some strange and demented way? Would you want to take a piece of someone knowing that this could happen?
That would be the most bizarre thing in the world. I thought the trucker's hand was cool, but knowing that the brain actually gets separated into pieces/parts is beyond unnerving. AND that it has all those memories and feelings to boot! /shudders
24. Risa's experience in the StaHo seems to have taught her a lot as she can read Roland like a book. Do you think her smarts will get her into trouble or be more helpful to them?
Hopefully they'll be helpful! She's extremely resourceful, isn't she?
25. Connor can't help worrying about Lev which shows a lot about his character. Do you think the 3 of them will ever meet up again? If so, will Connor beat the pulp out of him?
Hopefully they will, and they'll each realize that they're better together than apart.
26. Roland strikes! Did you guess that he was making a move at Connor and not Risa? And Risa completely melted down! Reactions? Do you think they'll have a lot more problems with Roland before this is all over?
Douchebag. Connor was so smart though, not taking the bait after he and Risa had just had that conversation earlier. Roland seems like the kind of guy you have continual run-ins with until something major happens. Waiting for it!
Questions for Chapter 26-33:27. The beginning of part four has a response from ebay about a guy selling his soul on ebay. This actually happened! A guy sold his soul for $400 (people actually bid!) He was from Seattle of all places (which is where I live) and he wasn't the last to try it. Here are some articles.
ABC article "Soul for Sale"
The Independent Article "Dante Banned"
THAT was crazy, but it just proves that people will do anything for money. The idea that he would sell his soul, all joking aside, brings up a slew of moral and ethical questions though -- which the book, to its credit, does not shy away from (hello crate scene).
28. Lev grew a pair and came up with a way to get some money! Were you surprised that he took out the pawn shop guy?
That was an awesome maneuver, and shows how good of a person he really is because he took the money and he could have just gone and not left the bracelet, but he did it anyway. He's a good kid. I think the whole thing about CyFi being adamant that HE wasn't the one who stole the stuff was interesting too, back to the whole "pieces/parts have minds of their own" thing.
29. The unwinds are finally on the move! What are your first thoughts of the trip and the graveyard in general? What do you think of the Admiral?
It seems like an alright place, out in the middle of nowhere basically (which could end up being good or bad, depending on what happens from here on out). The Admiral is strange. I don't have a lot of strong feelings about him just yet.
30. Some deep topics were brought up during the trip. What determines consciousness? Can your consciousnesses be spread out when you're unwound between your various parts? Are you aware of being in an unwound state? Are you alive or dead? What are your thoughts on all of this?
This was possibly my favorite scene of the whole book. Up til now, the book was thought-provoking and entertaining. This scene totally threw everything into the deep end. Loved it. I have to agree with Hayden when he just straight up says "I don't know", because I really feel like that's the best answer you can give in a situation where the supremely difficult questions are getting asked.
31. I love the quote from Emby on 167, "I don't think unwinding is bad, I just don't want it to happen to me." Typical answer from someone! It's fine until it affects you negatively, then it's suddenly a bad thing.
Yup. I think he had the thought process of "some people deserve it", and obviously didn't include himself in that equation. But we never do, do we?
32. OMG! The chapter about Tyler hit me hard. He doesn't know that he is unwound and in someone else's body! Those parents must feel like the worst people in the world now, or at least they should. What were your reactions to the whole encounter in Joplin? How do you think it all changed Lev?
They better feel awful about it! I was impressed to see Lev coming on so strong in that chapter. He totally embodied my feelings about the parents though; their kid was all but there, having a breakdown in front of them, and they could barely do or say anything to help him without prompting from a kid wielding a shovel. WTF.
33. Risa ends up as a medic thanks to Connor's punch. Are you surprised? Any predictions on what Connor will end up doing?
That was cool. I was going to be irritated if she got stuck with dishwasher. Hopefully as a medic she'll be able to do quite a lot, and maybe it'll help her find a job in the work calls.
Questions for Chapters 34-45:34: What do you think of the work calls? Would you want the chance to go work elsewhere or just stick to the graveyard until you hit 18?
Connor seems to think they're being enslaved/used by volunteering for the work calls, but I can see a bit of a point to them. It helps move kids along, presumably to somewhere else where they'll still be safe til they're 18, and that in turn makes room for the new arrivals that come pouring in. I'm not sure if I'd go work somewhere or rather stay at the graveyard; depends on the work offered, I guess.
35: The Golden's were murdered! Were you surprised when Connor was chosen to help figure out the mystery?
I was SO AFRAID the Admiral was gonna turn out to be nasty and lock him in there with the other dead kids and just be done with him.
36: Lev arrives at the graveyard! It seems like he has become a completely different person. What do you think of this secret club he joined? Do you think it has to do with the clappers? Do you think this is the first time Cleaver has done something like this to mess with the Graveyard (having the kids kill the goldens)?
I don't feel like this is the first time Cleaver's done something like this. And if that's the case, then does that mean the Admiral's in on it too or not, since he trusts Cleaver so much?
37: The 3 kids in the group go off to Alaska. I have a feeling this is more then just a work call. Any predictions?
Something's definitely brewing.
38: We finally get some answers about the Heartland War:
There were 3 sides:
a) Life Army who was killing Dr's for performing abortions
b) Choice Brigade who was getting pregnant just to sell fetal tissue
c) American Army who was trying to keep the two sides from killing each other.
This sounds like today's pro life/choice debate just on a more drastic scale!
Also 2 awesome quotes:
"Everyone was so happy to end the war, no on cared about the consequences."
"If more people would have been organ donors, unwinding never would have happened...but people like to keep what's theirs even after they're dead. It didn't take long for ethics to be crushed by greed."
Thoughts? Reactions? Comparisons to society now? (this whole section had me screaming at my book, I could debate it for days which is why I'm having trouble phrasing a question :-P )
The quote about organ donors really struck me, because I am one and I can't fathom why anyone would choose not to be -- what's the use of your organs after you're dead? It's not like you're going to need them.
39: We finally get the Admiral's story. He wasn't unwinding kids for parts, just scars and dentures! He did help start the unwinding process and unwind his own son though. Does this change your idea of him?
I almost burst out laughing when he showed Connor his dentures, because Connor was so squeamish about it. Apparently in this future dentures are obsolete. The fact that he unwound his own kid scares the crap out of me though; if he could do that to his own son, what else is he capable of?
40: Admiral Dunfee!!!!!!! The story is true! What do you think will happen to Emby since he's being sent off to the Admiral's wife?
I GASPED SO HARD AT THIS PART. Praying that Emby is okay and not going to his doom.
41: Stuff is getting massively out of hand because of all the secrets. Connor is sure Roland is to blame. The mob is sure the Admiral is to blame. Risa is caught in the middle for no reason. And the graveyard is being ruined all because of Cleaver! Any predictions on what they'll do to get things under control or what will happen next?
I'm wondering if Cleaver's team is going to start clapping and just blow the whole place to kingdom come or not.
Questions for Chapter 46-62:42: Connor proves himself a leader when he takes control of the mob. Any speculation on what would have happened if Roland got hold of the crowd?
I feel like if Roland had been able to take control, things would have gone downhill much faster or possibly just imploded. I'm glad Connor was able to settle things down.
43: Risa, Connor, and Roland risk their safety to save the admiral. Why do you think Roland turned them in? Were you surprised he told the cops about the graveyard? Were you surprised that the cops knew about the graveyard?
Roland turned in the others because he's proven from day one that he's out to better himself, no matter how many other people he has to trod on in order to do it. And then to bring up the graveyard, that was an awful move. Glad the cops know about it and are ignoring it to the best of their ability though.
44: Connor's reputation just keeps growing and growing. The stories of the Akron AWOL have taken on an entity of their own. Connor is now the face of the rebellion! How'd you like Roland's reaction to Connor's title? What do you think of how he's being treated differently in Happy Jack and how the other kids all seem to look up to him?
Very interesting. I liked the Akron AWOL title because Akron's where I live! Finally a place I can relate to in a book, woohoo! Roland needs to just disappear.
45: Risa seems to have a decent gig being in the band. She proves her worth yet again! Do you think this will save her for awhile?
Hopefully! Unless they decide that she's expendable and only her hands are worth keeping /shudders
46: Lev is back? and he's a clapper now? Did you see this coming? At least we're getting some answers on how clappers work finally.
Yeah it took awhile for me to get a good grasp on what clappers are. But the fact that Lev's in on the whole thing makes me think his fate is basically sealed. How else would you get out of that, even if you wanted to? (Because he seems pretty set that this is what he wants)
47: Roland gets unwound! I actually felt bad for Roland for the first time this whole book. They keep the kids conscious through the entire process! What was your reaction as you read the unwinding of Roland?
SCARYSCARYSCARYWHATTHEFUCKSCARY
48: Lev and Connor ran into each other and Lev changes all his plans to try to save Connor. Maybe Lev is still good after all? Do you think he'll be able to save Connor from unwinding? Do you think he'll go through with blowing himself up?
I have no idea what Lev is gonna do -- I'm wondering if he's going to break into the Chop Shop and sacrifice himself to kill everyone in the place, including Connor so he won't be stuck being conscious the way Roland was through the unwinding process, and thus his parts won't be usable as replacements.
49: Any wild predictions for the last segment of the book?
No, I'm never good at predicting!
Questions for Chapter 63-End:50: Connor's time to face the carpet and he walks it with pride until the end. What did you think of the other kids reaction to the Akron AWOLs walk?
I thought it sucked that no one would try to help him get away from the guards, but after he accepted it, that they would cheer him like that? Seemed a bit hypocritical.
51: Mai's love died in the crate! No wonder she's so angry. It's amazing how easily one can turn hate to murder. Thoughts?
Couldn't agree more. Everyone's got a trigger.
52: The guard is the one that starts the explosion because no one wants to go first. Makes you wonder if they would have ever gone otherwise? And of course Connor gets the credit for blowing up the building! Do you think Connor will become the official face of the revolution?
At this point it's most likely that he will, whether he wants to or not. And the fact that he gets the credit for blowing up the building is so typical of society nowadays. No one waits for the actual story to come out, they prefer to just make it up as they see it and don't care if it's accurate or not.
53: In the aftermath both Connor and Risa are safe from unwinding. Risa is paralized and Connor gets a new identity. Connor also gets the parting gift of Roland's arm! I don't know where the question is here...just OMG!
Yeah that was freaky. I love Risa so much; her convictions are so strong about remaining herself. The fact that she actually refused the operation makes her as much of a hero as Connor, in my mind. The arm was so crazy. Part of me is afraid it's going to wake up and try to throttle Risa! I wonder if Connor would consider getting a tattoo to cover up the shark?
54: Lev turned hero. He saved Risa and Connor, managed to not blow himself up, and became the face of unwinding for the debates in the media. Has he redeemed himself yet? Were you surprised to hear that becoming a clapper actually saved him from unwinding and Marcus would be adopting him?
That was a really cool wrap-up to Lev's arc. Glad he's out of the unwinding picture, and the irony doesn't escape me. And Marcus! Yay! Hoping they both show up in the sequel.
55: Turns out the Dunfees were collecting parts, but they weren't killing anyone to do it. Were you a bit creeped out by the hive mind thing that happened with the people at the party?
I wondered how that would happen, after seeing what happened with CyFi, and I actually thought it was kind of sweet, especially the boy with Harlan's voice. Really glad the ghost story was just a ghost story after all.
56: Connor has taken over the graveyard and they will no longer stay silent. Predictions for the sequel?
Sounds like Connor's the face of this rebellion after all! He and Katniss should hook up.
57: Overall thought about the book? Rating? Anything else you want to say that wasn't asked?
I'd seen this at the library a few times but never picked it up, then found it on GR and thought it sounded amazing. Wasn't disappointed, I gave it 5 stars! Can't wait to snag book 2!
Nothing But Reading Challenges
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I was surprised by that too. I just finished and was happy to see (view spoiler)[that Lev redeemed himself in the end. Love that they brought Cy-Fy back and people are finally getting outraged about unwinding. Good for Rosa. I think I might choose wheelchair over unwinding myself. (hide spoiler)]