The Windup Girl

by Paolo Bacigalupi
The Windup Girl cover
Good Books rating 4.31
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
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Paperback • £10.99
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Technical
  • ID: 4994
  • Added: 2025-10-22
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9789350094273
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2012-08-07
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

The Windup Girl is set in a dystopian future where the oil age has passed, and calorie companies wield immense power. Anderson Lake, an employee of AgriGen, is sent to Thailand to search for extinct foodstuffs, hoping to profit from history's lost calories. In Bangkok's street markets, he encounters Emiko, a Windup Girl, an engineered being abandoned to the streets. Emiko is one of the New People, creche-grown and programmed to satisfy the whims of the rich, but now regarded as soulless beings or devils by others. The novel explores a world where bio-terrorism is used as a tool for corporate profits, and genetic drift forces mankind to the cusp of post-human evolution. As Anderson delves deeper into the secrets of this world, he uncovers the chilling consequences of bio-engineered plagues and the struggle for power and survival in a society ruled by calorie companies.

Reviews
Hope and Whispers · 2018-07-22
great 4.25

The reviewer appreciates the author's ability to diminish the reader's sense of 'Otherness' by moving between character perspectives outside Western bias. The book is commended for its postcolonial themes and rich character development.

The reviewer at Hope and Whispers highlights the author's skill in diminishing the reader's sense of 'Otherness' by providing multiple character perspectives that move beyond the typical Western bias. This approach enriches the narrative and allows for a more nuanced exploration of the postcolonial themes present in the book. The reviewer also praises the character development, noting that the characters are well-rounded and complex, adding depth to the story. The book's ability to tackle important themes while maintaining an engaging narrative is particularly appreciated.

Quick quotes

    Bacigalupi is able to diminish the reader's sense of 'Otherness' through moving between character perspectives outside Anderson's Western bias.

    The novel is a powerful exploration of postcolonial themes.

    The characters are well-developed and add depth to the story.

Mike Finns Fiction · 2014-02-13
fantastic 4.50

The book is praised for its strong plot and local color, with a focus on character-driven storytelling. The reviewer notes that the characters are not easily divided into good or bad, adding complexity to the narrative.

The reviewer from Mike Finns Fiction commends the book for its strong plot and the rich local color that brings the setting to life. The narrative is driven by well-developed characters who are not easily categorized as good or bad, which adds a layer of complexity and realism to the story. The reviewer appreciates the author's ability to create a compelling and engaging narrative through these characters. The book's ability to maintain a good pace while delving into the intricacies of its characters is particularly noted. The reviewer also highlights the excellent narration, which enhances the overall reading experience.

Quick quotes

    The book has a good plot and strong local colour but at its heart it is character driven.

    The characters do not divide easily into good or bad.

    The excellent narration enhances the overall reading experience.

The Guardian · 2010-12-17
excellent 4.00

The book is praised for its plot twists, bursts of violence, and noir stylishness, making it a good entry-level text for those new to the genre. The reviewer highlights the immersive world-building and the author's ability to create a compelling narrative.

The reviewer from The Guardian is impressed by the book's ability to draw readers in with its intricate plot twists and moments of intense violence. The noir stylishness of the narrative adds a layer of depth that makes it accessible even to those who are new to the genre. The world-building is particularly noteworthy, as it creates a vivid and immersive setting that enhances the overall reading experience. The reviewer appreciates the author's skill in weaving together these elements to create a compelling and engaging story.

Quick quotes

    The plot-twists, the bursts of violence and a noir stylishness are all here.

    Perhaps the very qualities that make it a good entry-level text for ...

    The book is a good entry-level text for those new to the genre.

Eyrie · Eagle · 2010-07-30
imaginative 4.50

The book is well-written and well-plotted, turning a dark world and nasty events into a compelling and engrossing narrative. The reviewer finds it both imaginative and unpredictable.

Eagle from Eyrie praises The Windup Girl for its strong writing and plotting, which effectively transform a bleak and dark world into a compelling and engrossing story. They highlight the book's imaginative and unpredictable nature, making it a standout in the genre. The reviewer appreciates the way the author handles complex themes and events, creating a narrative that is both thought-provoking and engaging. Overall, Eagle finds the book to be a well-crafted and enjoyable read.

Quick quotes

    This is a well-written, well-plotted book that takes a very dark world and some rather nasty events and turns them into a compelling, engrossing ...

    It's imaginative, unpredictable, dark, and extremely well written.

    Bacigalupi is able to diminish the reader's sense of “Otherness” through moving between character perspectives outside Anderson's Western bias.

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