In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them
Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his family's strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance. If they can survive until theireighteenth birthday, they can't be harmed -- but when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away.
In Unwind, Boston Globe/Horn Book Award winner Neal Shusterman challenges readers' ideas about life -- not just where life begins, and where it ends, but what it truly means to be alive.
Many flaws Unwound is an interesting premise, but the book itself has far too many holes in it to be enjoyable. My biggest problem with the story is the fact that the premise of the is simply too unrealistic. The thought that within 100 years or so that the human race would become so indifferent towards a living person that they would allow him to be carved up for parts against his/her will is just too far of a reach.
It is a terrifying prospect, to have your life taken from you while young, and one that has been previously addressed in stories such as Logan's Run. The difference is that Logan's Run was set in an indeterminant time, so far in the future that it was essentially an alien culture. If Unwound had been set 500 years in the future or perhaps in an alternate reality, the story might have worked better.
The book seems to try too hard to provoke thought about the right to choose/right to life debate. Also, there are several instances where you can see plot points and and complications coming from a mile away. Foreshadowing is one thing, but to be so ham-handed in technique is disappointg.
Just so that this isn't a totally negative review, I did enjoy the evolution of the two lead male characters, though again it was pretty obvious about where things were heading.
This book might be enjoyable to younger readers who can look past the short comings or who might be more startled by the "coming to get you" premise. But for older readers, adults, or those who enjoy a good Sci-Fi yarn, you are going to be disappointed.
A True Masterpiece Neal Shusterman's Unwind is a true contemporary American classic. It goes far beyond just simply story-telling. It is very similar to Animal Farm. It is so much deeper than its plot. It deserves to be ranked with Catcher in the Rye and The Diary of Anne Frank. It should be mandatory reading for all high school and college students. Neal Shusterman is absolutely the John Steinbeck of Young Adult Fiction.
Unwinds Your Feelings After the Heartland war, a war between the pro-life and pro-choice armies of the United States, the Bill of Life is created. It states that a child cannot be aborted until they are between the ages of 13 and 18, when they can be "unwound" or have their body parts harvested for other uses. It isn't "killing" the Bill of Life says, but rather changing their form of life.
But three teens, Connor, Risa and Lev who all come from entirely different situations, battle to survive until they're 18.
This book was one of the most impacting books I've ever read. I am a huge reader and read probably two books week. But it took me a day to read this book.
It makes you think about life, and what life means, and what a soul is. Read this book and your thoughts about life will forever be altered. Five stars to Neal Shusterman.
This is a MUST READ.
The Best YA Novel in Ages.... This was a book I bought on a whim. It had an interesting premise so I thought "why not". That was almost a year ago and I still can't get this book out of my head. It is one of those stories that hit you in the gut just when you think that every topic has been written about. This was an entirely new idea wrought with intense emotion and survival from every character. There was no overlap in 2 dimensional character traits. Each character was fully developed, had a voice and you could feel their point of view. The book was so disturbing in a "Twilight Zone" sort of way. There was no sugar coating or breaks given to the characters. Their was no apology for the situation it just was. The reality of that sets an ambiance that you won't be able to get out of your head for some time. This is a book I would love to see my teenager having to read for an English class. It is wrought with discussion topic possibilities and could stimulate some intense discussion. I could type on all day about the wonders of this literary masterpiece. The emotion, the depth, the color, the pain and the creative world in which it was weaved is beyond description. You must read it regardless of the genre you like. I can't imagine anyone not being in awe.
Amazing Unwind is one of the best books I've read in a really long time. The characters are interesting and complex, even secondary characters are fully developed.
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