Here’s another dystopian novel. And it’s excellent – a completely engrossing read.
Unwind, by Neal Shusterman, is told from three points of view; Connor,Riesa, and Lev, which I initially found disappointing. I never enjoy the jarring transition from occupying one head to entering another. But all three of these characters were well-developed protagonists with distinctive personalities and their perspectives on the story are equally gripping.
The premise of this book centres on reproductive rights and the results of a war that was fought over abortion and the sale of human organs and body parts. In Shusterman’s dystopic world, parents can have their children ‘unwound’ until the age of eighteen. That’s the euphemism for a coercive surgical procedure (described in a chilling scene which is more frightening for what is not said, than what is) where every single part of their bodies is taken apart – ‘unwound.’ These body parts are then sold commercially. Wealthy people can afford better ‘quality’ (ie healthy) organs than those with limited financial resources.
The three protagonists represent different societal structures that would produce the unwound and the intersection of their journeys is fast, terrifying, and gripping. This book is a definite page turner. I probably would have liked a bit more explanation about how parents could choose to have their children unwound – even if they’re rebellious or unmanageable. A bit more world-building in that area would have gone a long way to explain a phenomenon that still appears slightly alien – in that dystopic society. But despite that, I enjoyed this book tremendously and would enthusiastically recommend it.
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