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Cover of The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi

The Windup Girl

by Paolo Bacigalupi

Approximately 391 pages

A fast-paced, thought-provoking exploration of a future shaped by environmental and technological crises.

Difficulty

Challenging

Pace

Fast

Mood

dystopian, gritty

Book club

Medium

Find in a library

Is this book for you?

Read this if you enjoy

  • speculative fiction
  • dystopian narratives
  • complex world-building

Consider another book if

  • you prefer light-hearted stories
  • straightforward plots
  • happy endings

What it is about

Set in a future Thailand, "The Windup Girl" explores a world ravaged by climate change and genetic engineering. The story follows Emiko, a genetically modified "windup girl" created for servitude. She navigates a society that views her as an inferior being.

The narrative intertwines with the lives of various characters, including a calorie man named Anderson and a corporate spy named Hock Seng. As food shortages and bio-political tensions escalate, the characters confront their desires and moral dilemmas. The novel examines themes of identity, exploitation, and the consequences of human intervention in nature.

The setting reflects a blend of traditional culture and advanced technology. Power struggles between corporations and local governments shape the social landscape. The characters' fates are intertwined with the fate of their environment.

Ultimately, the book presents a complex vision of a future shaped by humanity's choices.

Award recognition

2010 winner

Hugo Award for Best Novel

United States

View the winners list: Hugo

2009 winner

Nebula Award for Best Novel

United States · Best Novel

View the winners list: Nebula

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