The Windup Girl

I'd already read the first two-thirds of this book before finally getting into it. Before this point, I found it to be nigh well incomprehensible. I don't know what finally clicked for me, but when it does pick up, it does so with gusto, finally capturing my interest and saving it from...well, the short list of books I hate.

Probably not a re-read, though.

I realized after reading this book that it's the third in a series. Whoops. However, I made it through and enjoyed it well enough, nonetheless.

This is tough. I think that I would give it 2.5 if I could, but given I can't, it is probably closer to 2 than 3. I liked the idea of the world Paolo Bacigalupi built. Emiko herself was an interesting character. However, I just didn't care for anyone else. Jaidee perhaps, but I didn't feel any connection to the characters, and there was really no one I felt I could cheer for. Perhaps Kanya in the end.

The writing is fine, the world is interesting enough. But in the end, I just didn't care about any of the characters, and this was the book's biggest failing for me.

A stunning, hard-hitting ending (which I will not give away) to a well-written, well thought-out book. Biopunk in the vein of Ribofunk by Paul Di Filippo. A scary world of mega-corporation domination, looming eco-disaster, and political backstabbing. A story that masterfully divides the narrative between several characters, none of whom are truly the protagonist, and none of whom are the clear epitome of good or evil, which is a breath of fresh air.

After I received the book, I was disappointed to see the cover blurb: I hope he writes 10 sequels – as I was fearful I had just purchased a novel that was going to require me to purchase a second or third to finish it. I'm not a fan of that. Yes, I like long work, but I like to know in advance that I will need to invest more so I can make an informed purchase. However, after finishing the novel, I couldn't agree with the cover blurb more. This is a novel set in a world that deserves to have more stories told. So I will definitely be picking up Pump Six and Other Stories (a collection of short stories set thus).

One of the best pieces of post-collapse speculative fiction I've read. Bacigalupi's dystopian vision is rooted in a strong understanding of both ecology and human behavior. The story is told through the eyes of five flawed, yet compelling characters, chasing survival and/or prosperity in a future Bangkok threatened by rising sea levels and genetically engineered diseases. There are no true heroes, nor villains, in The Windup Girl's cast of characters as the author avoids moralizing and instead reflects the messy reality of complex characters trying to survive in a dangerous world. The plot moves forward smoothly, and accelerates into a thrilling final battle, and a conclusion that is both hopeful and terrifying.

Fantastic world, but not so fantastic writing. It bothered me how little attachment I felt to the characters.

Took me a little while to get into, but once you get past the rather unusual alternate universe, the story takes over. What I like about it is the South East Asian ecological dystopian future setting. Coming from this part of the world, I find the setting to be futuristic, yet immediately identifiable. There's also a military coup which makes the story quite intriguing, especially when you consider Thailand's history. The wind-up girl as a work of genetic tech is interesting. A worthy Nebula winner and a totally absorbing book.

I agree with many others who read this that it takes a bot of work to get into but I think it largely pays off. The world Bacigalupi creates is unique and intriguing. The setting in Thailand is quite exotic to my US-raised self, but I feel like I get an authentic taste of it. And the characters are captivating in the end, especially Emiko and the Captain.