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55 pages 1 hour read

The Windup Girl

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2009

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Book Brief

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Paolo Bacigalupi

The Windup Girl

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2009
Book Details
Pages

359

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Bangkok, Thailand • Future

Publication Year

2009

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi, Anderson Lake, working for AgriGen in a future Bangkok ravaged by climate change and rising sea levels, seeks access to the Thai seedbank for profit. Amidst political strife, Emiko, a genetically engineered "windup," faces exploitation and abuse, highlighting the intersection of human and machine. The novel contains sexual violence and human trafficking.

Dark

Gritty

Unnerving

Mysterious

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

4.0

80,748 ratings

66%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi is a gripping dystopian novel praised for its innovative world-building and complex characters. Critics commend its timely themes and unsettling realism. However, some find the plot occasionally dense and the pacing uneven. Overall, it's a thought-provoking and immersive read that blends speculative fiction with relevant social commentary.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Windup Girl?

Ideal for fans of dystopian futures and biopunk, The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi engages readers who appreciate the intricate world-building found in works like Neuromancer and Snow Crash. Readers captivated by climate fiction and the ethical dilemmas of genetic manipulation will find this novel particularly compelling.

4.0

80,748 ratings

66%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

Character List

Emiko

A genetically-engineered being known as a "windup," used for entertainment in a Bangkok club and grappling with her status in a world wary of her kind.

An American employee of AgriGen working in Bangkok, managing a factory while secretly investigating resistant crops for his company.

A Malayan Chinese refugee in Bangkok, working as a secretary under challenging conditions while harboring his own survival strategies.

A dedicated and ethical officer known as the Tiger of Bangkok, committed to the environmental cause amidst high-risk challenges.

An officer working closely with Jaidee while navigating complex alliances and her personal history for a broader goal.

The head of the Ministry of Trade, engaged in a power struggle with environmental leaders, pursuing business interests in a hazardous world.

A windup serving Mr. Yashimoto, characterized by her obedience and displaying emotions that challenge human perceptions of her kind.

The owner of the Ploenchit club, where he exploits and manages windups, including Emiko, with an eye for profit and control.

A former expert gene-ripper for AgriGen, now living in obscurity and holding a deep familiarity with genetic engineering and its consequences.

Leader of the Ministry of Environment, balancing his role as a protector of natural resources with the inherent corruptions of power.

A commanding presence behind the throne of the Child Queen, subtly influencing key political maneuvers within the kingdom.

A businessman collaborating with influential figures to gain access to vital resources, illustrating the blend of commerce and covert operations.

Book Details
Pages

359

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Bangkok, Thailand • Future

Publication Year

2009

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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