Ship Breaker

Ship Breaker cover
Good Books rating 3.83
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Technical
  • ID: 10957
  • Added: 2026-02-15
  • Updated: 2026-02-15
  • ISBN: 9780748129386
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2011-07-07
  • Reviews: 3

Set in a post-apocalyptic Gulf Coast region, 'Ship Breaker' follows Nailer, a teenage scavenger who works the light crew, stripping down grounded oil tankers for valuable parts. His life takes a dramatic turn when he discovers a luxurious clipper ship beached during a hurricane. Facing a moral dilemma, Nailer must decide whether to strip the ship for its worth or rescue its sole survivor, a wealthy girl who could offer him a better life. /n/n The novel explores themes of survival, class struggle, and the ethical choices one must make in a harsh, unforgiving world. With vivid descriptions and a gripping narrative, 'Ship Breaker' delves into the complexities of human nature and the lengths people go to for a chance at a better future.

Reviews
Kara Reviews · Kara Babcock · 2016-08-20
great 4.00

The writing is clear and prescient, closely following current societal trends to hint at a possible future.

Kara Babcock finds the writing clear and prescient, noting how it closely follows current societal trends to hint at a possible future. They appreciate the novel's ability to capture the essence of contemporary issues and project them into a dystopian setting. The reviewer admires the author's insight and the novel's relevance to current societal concerns, making it a thought-provoking read.


Quick quotes

    His writing is clear and sadly has notes of prescience.

    He hews closely to the trends of our current society, hinting at the tenor of the future.

    The writing is clear and prescient.

Elitist Book Reviews · Shawn · 2012-04-20
great 4.00

The novel is thoroughly enjoyable and feels like it comes from the same world as 'The Windup Girl'.

Shawn finds the novel thoroughly enjoyable and feels it fits well within the same world as 'The Windup Girl'. They appreciate the novel's engaging narrative and its ability to transport readers into a familiar yet distinct dystopian setting. The reviewer enjoys the story's depth and its connection to other works by the same author, making it a compelling read for fans of the genre.


Quick quotes

    SHIPBREAKER (Amazon) is a thoroughly enjoyable novel that feels like it came straight out of the same world as THE WINDUP GIRL.

    The novel is thoroughly enjoyable and feels like it comes from the same world as 'The Windup Girl'.

    The novel is thoroughly enjoyable.

The Guardian · 2011-08-19
good 3.50

The novel moves with tremendous energy and urgency, though it feels a bit colorless in places. Nailer is a fine hero.

The reviewer praises the novel for its taut and disciplined narrative, which moves with a tremendous sense of energy and urgency. They highlight Nailer as a fine hero, but feel the story is a bit colorless in places. The reviewer appreciates the novel's pacing and the character of Nailer, but finds some parts lacking in depth. Overall, it's a compelling read with a strong protagonist.


Quick quotes

    It's a taut, disciplined novel, moving with tremendous coiled energy and urgency.

    I found it a tad colourless in places, but Nailer is a fine hero.

    The novel moves with tremendous energy and urgency.

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