Module 8: Fantasy and Science Fiction
Unwind
Author: Neal Shusterman
Book Summary:
In the society after the “Heartland War”, families live with
the option to “unwind” their children when they are between the ages of
thirteen and eighteen. According the “The Bill of Life” human life may not
touched from the moment of conception until the child is thirteen. After the
unwinding process, all parts of the child, from their toes to their ears, are
used to help others. Unwind follows
three children with different backgrounds who are brought together by their
desire to escape their unwind orders. They find an underground railroad of
sorts, and various people help them to stay away from the unwind facilities/harvest
camps and the juvey-cops out to take them there.
APA Book
Reference:
Shusterman,
N. (2007). Unwind. New York, NY:
Simon & Shuster Books for Young Readers.
Impressions:
I enjoyed the
different perspectives from which the story was told. Connor, Risa, and Lev
have different stories to tell, especially when they are separated, so the format
of the book allows the reader to follow all of the characters. Also having chapters
from different perspectives seems to be a device used in many young adult
books.
I was unsure at first
if I would like this book, because I thought it might be more political considering
the subject matter, but it’s really about the lives of these three teens in a
dystopian society. I did end up enjoying the book, and I did not realize this
book is only the first in a trilogy. When I have time, I will have to read the
two books that continue to follow Connor, Risa, and Lev.
The thing that most surprised me
about this book was the chapter that follows Roland’s unwinding. I thought the
unwinding process would remain a mystery considering that no one in the society
knew exactly how the process worked. The chapter still leaves much up to
argument however because Roland seems to cease to exist. However, the reader
learns from the Admiral’s party at the end that memories and feelings still
exist in the pieces.
Professional
Review:
Peters, J. (2007). Unwind [Review of the book
Unwind]. Booklist Online. Retrieved from: http://booklistonline.com/Unwind-Neal-Shusterman/pid=2120692
“Following in the footsteps
of Jonathan Swift, Shusterman uncorks a Modest Proposal of his own to solve a
Pro-Life/Pro-Choice dilemma. Set in a future in which abortions are outlawed
but parents have the option of signing over their 13- to 17-year-olds to be
used as organ donors, the tale focuses on 16-year-old Connor, who falls in with
other prospective Unwinds and finds a temporary refuge (thanks to a clandestine
organization with its own peculiar agenda) before being captured and sent to
Happy Jack Harvest Camp. Though laced with intrigue, betrayals, and narrow
squeaks, the story is propelled less by the plot (which is largely a series of
long set pieces) than by an ingeniously developed cast and premise. But even
readers who gravitate more to plot-driven fiction will find this present-tense
page-turner thrilling, though it’s guaranteed to leave some feeling decidedly
queasy—despite the (improbable) happy ending.”
Library
Uses:
Unwind could be used in a book talk that focuses on fantasy series.
It could also be used to start a debate about dystopian future society’s and if
they could someday truly exist.
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