The Windup Girl

3.5 stars for a well-imagined world but a story populated by almost universally unlikeable characters and events that have no real pay-off. Frustrating.

I tossed this one on my to-read list because of the ratings, and because (not having focused too hard on the description) I assumed ‘windup' meant ‘android/robot thingy'. Once I jumped in and started reading, I realized it was a rather interesting sci-fi take on a world where genetically modified seeds and other organisms have taken a turn to the extreme. I found the first half of the book enjoyable, but slow. That first half is a lovingly crafted bit of world building - and it's a very richly detailed world when the story starts to really move. The story takes place in the future in Thailand. It's sci-fi, but (as I sit between cornfields and watch the crop dusters do their thing) not a far cry from plausible. Raced through the last 150 pages - couldn't put it down. Very enjoyable.