The title character, the Windup Girl, is an artificial person created my the Japanese to replace their aging workforce. The name comes from their stuttering movements that distinguishes them from real people. Surprisingly, while she is the main pivot point of the plot that results in the capitulation of the Thais, the book really isn't about her. She is just one of many characters followed by the narrative. The book is more about corruption, coming from both within and without, that insidiously infiltrates and, in the end, strangles the Thai Kingdom, handing it over to the "calorie men".
While I as intrigued by the dark world Bacigalupi constructs, I found that there really wasn't a story there. It was more like a snapshot of future history. I kept waiting for a story to coalesce from the threads of the narrative and, in the end, I was a little confused.
Should I recommend this Nebula Award winning novel? Well written. Interesting world. Colorful characters. No narrative climax. Frankly, I don't know.
Sounds like a beautiful "what the hell was that?" moment. :)
ReplyDeleteMiss McC: You could say that ... and you did!
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