Average Bufph Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Paolo Bacigalupi
2009-09-01
Winner of the Hugo and Nebula awards for best novel, the break-out science fiction debut.
Anderson Lake is AgriGen’s Calorie Man, sent to work undercover as a factory manager in Thailand while combing Bangkok’s street markets in search of foodstuffs thought to be extinct, hoping to reap the bounty of history’s lost calories.
Emiko is the Windup Girl, a strange and beautiful creature. Emiko is not human; she is an engineered being, 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 this 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.
What happens when calories become currency? What happens when bio-terrorism becomes a tool for corporate profits and forces mankind to the cusp of post-human evolution? Bacigalupi delivers one of the most highly-acclaimed science fiction novels of the twenty-first century.
Bacigalupi's vision of a future Thailand, where genetic engineering and climate change have reshaped society, is both unsettling and captivating. The intricate world-building, with its blend of high-tech and low-tech elements, creates a unique setting that feels both familiar and alien. The narrative's focus on the interplay between corporate power, ecological disaster, and human survival offers a fresh perspective on the genre. While the pacing in some sections felt a bit uneven, the thought-provoking themes and the richly drawn characters made it a compelling read.
Bacigalupi's dystopian vision of a climate-ravaged future is both scientifically plausible and deeply unsettling. The intricate world-building, with its focus on genetic engineering and bio-piracy, resonated with my biochemical engineering background. The narrative's exploration of ethical dilemmas and the consequences of unchecked technological advancement provided a cerebral and thought-provoking experience. The pacing, while occasionally uneven, was more than compensated by the rich, immersive setting and the complex interplay of characters and their motivations.
Bacigalupi's dystopian vision of a post-climate change Thailand offers a rigorous examination of bio-engineering and socio-economic stratification. The narrative's intricate web of political intrigue and ethical dilemmas provides a stimulating exploration of the consequences of technological advancement. The novel's philosophical inquiries into the nature of survival and adaptation are both provocative and thought-provoking, making it a compelling addition to the genre of speculative fiction. The prose, while at times dense, is a testament to the author's imaginative prowess and his ability to craft a world that is both alien and reflective of contemporary anxieties.
