Tuesday, August 25, 2009

The Windup Girl

Paolo Bacigalupi's debut novel, The Windup Girl, is almost unbearably brutal. It is also extremely good.

Set in a future Thailand, the book follows a half-dozen characters as they struggle for power in a bleak future devastated by bio-plagues, famine, and global warming. Thailand has kept itself a functioning country through its Ministry of the Environment, which destroys all imports that might be carrying any genetically engineered or mutated pathogens. However, destroying imports tends to inhibit trade, and so there is a natural, ongoing, and fierce struggle between the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Trade. Bacigalupi draws most of his characters from these two organizations, then throws in an American "calorie man," who is a representative of one of the giant agribusinesses that control food world-wide, plus the "windup girl," a Japanese-made android programmed to do things not even she suspects at first.

The political maneuvering is constant, intricate, and all too believable. So is the inevitable violence. However, more interesting than either are the choices -- moral, practical, philosophical, emotional -- that the characters are driven to make. These are not admirable people, but they spring plausibly and solidly from an unadmirable world. I believed every word of this book, including its brutality. Paolo Bacigalupi is prodigiously talented, and I will recommend this book for the Nebula it deserves.

It's interesting, however, to note that in person, Paolo is a cheerful, engaging fellow. Nobody knows what goes on in the hidden minds of writers -- at least not until it emerges onto the page. Our public personae are not us.

79 comments:

Richard said...

Interestingly, if I read him correctly, Freud talks about "primary process thinking" being the root of craziness...UNLESS it happens in service of art....sort of like nuk-lar energy being a useful thing in controlled environments and destructive in uncontrolled ones. Maybe that's why we scribblers are (mostly) sane: we have our "outlet."

Nancy Kress said...

I'm not sure that "we scribblers are (mostly) sane" -- writers have a higher-than-average rate of depression, for instance.

Merc said...

Thanks for the review--I'm going to have to check this one out!

Nick A said...

Thanks! Didn't know his novel was coming out, just ordered it on Amazon.

Anonymous said...

Been excited for this book for a long while now. Glad to know it'll be worth my money when it drops in Sept.

bluesman miike Lindner said...

But consider this, Richard--we creatives (and I'm talkin' 'bout writers, musicians, artists, etc.) got our start as tiny folks whose parents =loved= our stuff. And we moved on to be the class storyteller, or the promising singer whom Music Teacher cherishes, or the tiny artist, or =whatever= in the schools up-the-line. All is well and good!

Then you try to make it in the Big World, against folks =just= as talented as you! And they've had all that good feedback too. "Why am I not =automatically= loved?" (And that's why we do it--for love.)
Disappointment comes. You can give it up, you can persevere, and commonly, you can drink and drug into oblivion.

Charles Manson was =not a bad songwriter=. I have his boot cd. Not bad!

But who could call him "sane?"

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Herman S. Calderon said...

Some part of your article is great.
Mesothelioma

Unknown said...

Wow great article...Very interesting..Emiko is the Windup Girl, a strange and beautiful creature. One of the New People, Emiko is not human; instead, she is an engineered being, creche-grown and programmed to satisfy the decadent whims of a Kyoto businessman, but now abandoned to the streets of Bangkok. Regarded as soulless beings by some, devils by others, New People are slaves, soldiers, and toys of the rich in a chilling near future in which calorie companies rule the world, the oil age has passed, and the side effects of bio-engineered plagues run rampant across the globe.

car aircon

Unknown said...

That's the thing about girls...... Every time they do something pretty...

kitchen renovation

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for sharing. I am doing a research on Freud, so your blog is of great help and a wonderful source too. Keep it up!

Josh
Buy Essay

nikkitembo said...

"Paolo Bacigalupi is prodigiously talented, and I will recommend this book for the Nebula it deserves."

I couldn't agree more. This book is just another testament of his talent.

Nicole
Marketing Rep
<a href="http://bigcontentsearch.com/ >PLR</a>

trevor75 said...

Very nice. Requested information was able to be obtained. We wish to express our gratitude. Thank you.

trevor75 said...

Very nice. Requested information was able to be obtained. We wish to express our gratitude. Thank you.
personal statement writers

Unknown said...

New People are slaves, soldiers, and toys of the rich in a chilling near future in which calorie companies rule the world, the oil age has passed, and the side effects of bio-engineered plagues run rampant across the globe.
wheel alignment

catey03 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Joey Ray said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Christopher said...

I appreciate spending some time to talk about that, I believe firmly regarding this and so really enjoy understanding more about this kind of subject.Keep up the good work!
write my research paper

Chris Suja said...

Good article, thanks for pointing this out. Fortunately this topic is also presented in your blog, assuring a good coverage. Keep up the good work.
Levothroid online

Chris Suja said...

Interesting post, information about The Shy Person's Guide to Conversation make my knowledge increases, always a spirit and create a new article and i already bookmarked it! Generic Drugs

actonalver said...

great article, keep the culture alive!
Assignment Help UK | Statistics Help UK | Computer Programming Assignment Help

game01 said...

I like your website. Thank you for great information. I will come back to your website again. clean credit report

goodcredit18 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ruffy401 said...

You are a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will come back down the road. I want to encourage you continue your great posts, have a nice weekend.best credit repair company

CCC said...

interesting, everyone needs an outlet.

Way2earn said...

I really enjoyed going through your posts.Thats true you know what you are talking about! Your site look is beautiful and easy to navigate.
butterfly

kawaiishoujo said...

Hello, I love reading through your post, I wanted to leave a little comment to support you and wish you a good continuation. Wishing you the best of luck for all your efforts http://howtogetpregnantadvice.org/how-to-get-pregnant-with-twins/

karen said...

Sounds like a great book! I will put it on my "plan to read" list. credit repair

Anonymous said...

It would seem that creative types have more depression but do they really? Isn't that a stereotype? It would seem that the best works would come not from pain (as in depression etc) but more from pleasure derived from creating. how to get pregnant with twins

karen said...

I enjoyed your critique of the book, sounds as if it may be an interesting read. download free movies

kawaiishoujo said...

I might as well call you google cos you simply have everything I'm looking for. Thank you for sharing this wonderful post. pharmacy technician salary

sophia said...

Please share more collection like this one, I learned a lot.Excellent post.keep on sharing with us such nice post.
Buy Generic levaquin
Buy Generic Zyban

Zain said...

design logo company
design brochures online

Mariya said...

I have been reading and looking for some information and it is amazing and disturbing how many blogs related to Buy Motilium, Domperidone Online are in the web. I know that they are products that many people use and need, but it is funny to watch so many information about those products. Anyway your inputs for this subject are very interesting.

Anonymous said...

This article is very popular, strong feelings after reading it.carpet cleaning potts point

SEO said...

"At the essay writing service it is very easy to buy essay online and custom writing of the best qualit

SEO said...

"I mean it adds no value to their site but yet it still benefits the site they left the comment on.
lawn service rochester ny

game01 said...

I found your outlook on writing a paragraph interesting. usa collection agency

Ocie Folden said...

Nashville Downtown Hotels

hmmm. what can i say, you got a wonderful blog. i don't think I'd have the time or even drive to maintain it up to date as you do once again Thanks for your sharing.

rasal said...

Thank you for such a fantastic blog. Where else could anyone get that kind of info written in such a perfect way? I have a presentation that I am presently working on, and I have been on the look out for such information.
ptc

Zain said...

Nicely shared info
apparel inspection

Kyle Grando said...

wow this is sooooo cool. Please one more post about that. I wonder how you got so good. This is really a fascinating blog, lots of stuff that I can get into. really thank you for starting this up.

indianapolis airport hotel

cosicatering said...

Thanks for the review--I'm going to have to check this one out! Vancouver mortgage refinancing

CCC said...

Dallas credit repair and save money. Your credit score largely determines the lenders available and the interest rate at which they will lend. Fix credit and expand the number of lenders willing to compete for your loan.

top10credit101 said...

Thank you so much for sharing. I am doing a research on Freud, so your blog is of great help and a wonderful source too. Keep it up!car hire melbourne airport

Anonymous said...

That's the thing about girls...... Every time they do something pretty... Vancouver mortgage payment calculators

rasal said...

There’s no composed facts which could tell us who seem to includes termed the saying helpful technological innovation. Several educationists, experts in addition to philosophers at several period durations have got get submitted several explanations with Educational Engineering. Educational engineering may be a very rounded as well as bundled approach [...]
ptc

robertjack said...

Thanks so much for review..
Buy Celebrex

jakelim41 said...

That's the thing about girls...... Every time they do something pretty..vermageren zonder dieet

Anonymous said...

Very interesting site. I simply got very little to do therefore I am just killing time surfing around the net and I feel like I've got discovered some very valuable site. Thanks for sharing.buy propecia

Unknown said...

Great items from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff prior to and you’re just extremely wonderful. I actually like what you’ve acquired right here, really like what you’re stating and the best way through which you say it. You’re making it enjoyable and you still take care of to stay it smart. I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is actually a wonderful web site forexrao vatviec lam sinh vienphan bongom sutu bep

Sam said...

I really like this website , and hope you will write more,thanks a lot for your information. Ouvrir un compte etranger en ligne

Anonymous said...

Wow great article...Very interesting..Emiko is the Windup Girl, a strange and beautiful creature. One of the New People, Emiko is not human; instead, she is an engineered being, creche-grown and programmed to satisfy the decadent whims of a Kyoto businessman, but now abandoned to the streets of Bangkok.hazar spijkenisse

jakelim41 said...

I have recently started a blog, the info you provide on this web site has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.
Printable Flash Cards

bllana20 said...

Thanks for taking time sharing your knowledge here, very well presented articles of yours. culona

james said...

That's the thing about girls. Click here Oil Field Services!! Every time they do something pretty...

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for taking more time and effort to share this wonderful info with us. Vancouver mortgage payment calculators

bikingamerica said...

Wow great article...Very interesting..Emiko is the Windup Girl, a strange and beautiful creature.eten bestellen rotterdam

james said...

Very nice. Requested information was able to be obtained. We wish to express our gratitude.SEO Fort Collins

bikingamerica said...

This is a great article!! Very interesting..Emiko is the Windup Girl, a strange and beautiful creature.ipad 3 bestellen

Anonymous said...

Wow great article that's the thing about girls...Very interesting..Emiko is the Windup Girl, a strange and beautiful creature.Multiplication Flash Cards

bikingamerica said...

great article...Very interesting..Emiko is the Windup Girl, a strange and beautiful creature.online eten bestellen

bikingamerica said...

You are a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will come back down the road. I want to encourage you continue your great posts. wat is diabetes

bikingamerica said...

Rattling clear website , appreciate it for this post.online eten bestellen

akcent said...

owsum man
search engine marketing services

akcent said...

nice man
organic seo services

akcent said...

good boy
best seo company

bikingamerica said...

Been excited for this book for a long while now. Glad to know it'll be worth my money when it drops in Sept. Brevard County Jail

backpackingamerica said...

As I website possessor I believe the content matter here is rattling magnificent , appreciate it for your hard work. You should keep it up forever! Best of luck.koh samui apartments

Unknown said...

It's gracefull to see what i was searching for. That's the material which I was searching about. The matter you've highlighted above is surely valueable for anyone to workout. the concept of your article is very true and It will result in a positive way. Captain America Lather Costume

Unknown said...

Precisely what I was searching for, thank you for posting . “There are many victories worse than a defeat.” by George Eliot.
web hosting south africa,hosting in south africa,web hosting provider,web hosting,website hosting,domain registration,dedicated servers,broadband adsl,email2fax,fax2email,hosting,Windows Hosting,Linux Hosting,Reseller Hosting,MS Sql Hosting,ASP.NET Hosting

Sturgiscampground said...

A great website with interesting and unique material what else would you need.

Sturgis campground

sephorabeckham said...

I am feeling so much delightful to find your blog. This is great information about Independent toronto. Really so much informative.

Dissertation Help said...

Great Article.. Please keep continue in future. Hope we will got some more informative article on this site..

Educational Content Development

Suhana said...

Nice one, there's truly some sensible points on this website a number of my readers might realize this useful; i have to send a link, several thanks.

Best Free Android Games of 2019

Nawazz said...

Hi This is SRK i'm suggesting you this is app Party Hard Go Mod Apk

uzairalighori said...

This internet site is my intake , real good layout and perfect subject material . 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 - TERMINAL TO TERMINAL CAR SHIPPING SERVICE

uzairalighori said...

The electronic cigarette makes use of a battery and a small heating aspect the vaporize the e-liquid. This vapor can then be inhaled and exhaled office cleaning

bar glass cleaner spray said...

I want you to thank for your time of this wonderful read!!! I definately enjoy every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff of your blog a must read blog! A-1 Auto Transport - Motorcycle Shipping Companies