Unwind is honestly one of the deepest, most thought-provoking and most powerful novels I’ve ever read. For a book that is technically YA, it’s message is heavy. It addresses one of the most controversial debates out there today, but it does so with the utmost maturity and class. With the bleak future it depicts, one can only hope the governments of the world don’t get their hands on it and see it as an idea!
Plot Overview
Unwind takes place after a fictional civil war that happened in the United States. This war was fought over the issue of abortion. The result was a compromise of sorts: Life is untouchable from the moment of conception until the age of 13. Between 13 and 18 years old, if a child’s parents choose, they may have a “retroactive abortion” performed, wherein every single body part and cell is “harvested” from the child, and given to someone else who is in need. This way, supposedly, consciousness is not lost, it is simply divided and the child, therefore, does not die.
Connor is a 16-year old whose parents believe he has become too much to handle. He’s aggressive and gets into too many fights at school. They have placed an unwind order on him. He runs away.
Risa is a 15-year-old ward of the state who has been deemed not quite talented enough to be kept in the program, due to budget cuts. She has been sent for unwinding.
Lev is a 13-year-old tithe. His parents are very religious and believe that one-tenth of everything should be donated and/or given away. Lev is their tenth child, and he is their most significant sacrifice. He was born to be unwound and believes it to be a great honour. He is on his way to the harvest camp, as a VIP member.
The three of them are thrown together in an unexpected twist of fate. Will they survive? Will they be able to show Lev everything that is wrong with tithing?
My Thoughts
I really don’t even know where to begin with this story. The first time I read it, I think I stayed up until 2 or 3 in the morning on a school night to finish it. The same thing happened the second time I read it. And the third. It is just so good. I was physically unable to put it down, even when I knew what was going to happen. It is so wonderfully captivating, so exciting; it pulls you right in. You are a part of this new world, and it is a part of you.
The way Neal Shusterman takes on abortion is truly admirable. No matter what side of the debate you are on, this will make you think. Because the reality is, no one is EVER going to unanimously agree one way or the other. So, it is literally going to be impossible to please everyone – and trying is just going to eventually put us in a situation like this one. Eventually. I think that’s the underlying message here – if we continue the ridiculous fight, we are going to end up with a ridiculous result which ultimately pleases no one.
This isn’t just a book about the abortion debate though. It’s a story of fighting for your life. It’s a story about standing up against the powers that be. It’s about surviving. It’s about three kids being abandoned by their parents/caretakers and growing up way too fast in order to take care of themselves. It’s a story of realization, of epiphany, of finding yourself. It’s beautifully crafted. It’s action-packed. It’s exciting, it’s absolutely enthralling, and above all: it stays with you. Every heart-wrenching, heart-breaking and heart-warming scene will haunt you long after you turn that last page over.
I can honestly say this story changed my life, and I feel like Connor, Risa, and Lev will always be a small part of me. Just living in the back of my head, every so often reminding me of their journey. Just talking about this book makes me want to read it again.
You can read more about the author of this book here: Neal Shusterman
Conclusion
This book is deep. This book is life-changing. I truly believe fans of any genre would get something out of reading this book, as well as continuing on with the series. Young adult, regular adult, or old adult. This story is for you. Neal Shusterman writes not only Unwind, but this entire series so beautifully well, you just can’t help but stay engaged and become hopelessly emotionally attached. This story will stay with you.
Have you read Unwind? I’d love to have a discussion, there’s so much in this book to talk about! Leave a comment!
I really enjoyed this Nice solid review… Never heard of this book before… but since you explained it so beautifully.. it has inspired me to want to look more into investing into this book.
thanks for the great post..
will look out for more updates from you in the future.
goodluck
Nelson
Hi Nelson,
I really do hope you read it! I know I’m very glad I did, and I hope you enjoy it 🙂
I love the way you write these book reviews. I’m a writer and I run a writers’ group. We read book reviews a lot because many members of my group have self-published their books. Your book reviews are nice because they’re short. Don’t take that the wrong way – it’s just nice that the whole review fits on one page – I can read it quickly while I’m at the dentist or something, you know? Instead of having to spend more time reading the review than if I read the book itself! LOL Good work – it’s appreciated.
So glad you enjoyed reading it 🙂 I personally like shorter reviews as well, as I find long ones (this goes for movie reviews too) tend to reveal important plot points. I do my best to keep things spoiler free! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Hey there! I was so captivated by your summary of this story. I’ve never heard of this author or this series. After reading everything you’ve said about it, i’m very interested in reading more. Unfortunately my lifestyle doesn’t give me much time to sit down and read, I have way to much going on. The iTunes version wouldn’t work for me, I get distracted from stuff I hear easily. I guess what I’m really wondering is, would this be a good series to get into if I have to put it down all the time? Like maybe a half an hour of reading per day. Or would it be harder to follow along because I don’t have the time to read the whole thing in a day or two?
-Amanda
Dont’ worry I get it – I read this book for the first time back in high school when I could do a book in two or three days. Now, not so much! But yeah, this series is great no matter what. It’s a complex enough story but I wouldn’t say it’s a difficult read. Half an hour a day will be perfectly sufficient. Consider yourself warned though: you may lose sleep as you might just find you’re not able to put it down after only half an hour! I certainly had this issue lol!
Unwind sounds excellent – I’ve always been a fan of Dystopian novels, but haven’t managed to find any truly good ones lately.
The plot sounds horrifying (In a good way), and definitely sounds like something I’d be interested in. Have you read the Shadow Children series? This reminds me a lot of that. I loved that series!
I’ve heard of that series! Never read them. Perhaps I’ll put them on my list. (it’s long right now lol)
Unwind really is so good. It’s everything you want in a good dystopian with a POWERFUL message as well.
I do hope you check it out someday 🙂
Nice, to-the-point review of this book which sounds like an awesome read. My 14-year old son loves to read and this book sounds like something he would really enjoy. Isn’t it amazing how a book can totally take you in and make you feel like the characters are part of our life? This story sounds really suspenseful and intense, and I may have to read it myself. Great job! :0
It really is amazing! And this book sure does a good job. I was 15 when I read this book (for the first time) so I’m sure your son would enjoy it too 🙂
Hi Steph! Abortion will always be a controversial topic here in the U.S. with people on both sides of the issue really ingrained with the idea that their differing points of view is the only correct one!
The synopsis of this book “Unwind” as illustrated in your great review almost brings chills to my spine if the possibility of “unwinding” a person could be possible. It almost made my head spinning thinking of the idea that any parent would consider having it done to their son/daughter. The ages between 13 and 18 in any human being’s life can be an extreme challenge, going from young teenager to consisting adult. I remember at age 14 I was not the most pleasant person to be around. Most people between those ages barely know themselves.
In addition this “unwinding” act, perceived as not actually killing off a human being as his/her metaphysical existence would be given to another child would be really something that most people reading this book find difficult to accept. We all are considered to be unique human beings.
I was particularly moved when you stated near the end of your review that this book has changed your life and your perspective of the world.
I might just have to pick up this book and read it myself in the near future. The concept of such a thing being possible is really mind-blowing.
I’ve already written down the name and author of this book!
Thank you for sharing this review!
Sincerely,
Jeff
It is a wild concept isn’t it? The author really integrates it well into his story though. For something so insane, it’s quite believable in the context of this novel.
It really is an incredible story. I really think it goes far beyond it’s “young adult” classification into something all it’s own – something I think almost anyone would get something out of. The message truly is a strong one.
I do hope you enjoy it, if you do ever read it! 🙂