55 pages • 1 hour read
Paolo BacigalupiThe Windup Girl
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2009A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi, Anderson Lake, working for AgriGen in a future Bangkok ravaged by climate change and rising sea levels, seeks access to the Thai seedbank for profit. Amidst political strife, Emiko, a genetically engineered "windup," faces exploitation and abuse, highlighting the intersection of human and machine. The novel contains sexual violence and human trafficking.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi is a gripping dystopian novel praised for its innovative world-building and complex characters. Critics commend its timely themes and unsettling realism. However, some find the plot occasionally dense and the pacing uneven. Overall, it's a thought-provoking and immersive read that blends speculative fiction with relevant social commentary.
Who Should Read The Windup Girl?
Ideal for fans of dystopian futures and biopunk, The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi engages readers who appreciate the intricate world-building found in works like Neuromancer and Snow Crash. Readers captivated by climate fiction and the ethical dilemmas of genetic manipulation will find this novel particularly compelling.