The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi
Review by R E K. (bigstone)
Science fiction novels are usually very good or very bad. One of the best is The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi. The author takes concerns of today and projects a bleak future of consequences. He blends a fascinatingly creative story with reduced natural resources, global warming, gene splitting of crops and manipulating human development.
The location is Thailand, one of the few remaining thriving countries in a world devastated by mutating diseases destroying both humans and the food supply. Thailand has its own seed bank from which it is able to raise crops resistant to the diseases and rapidly emerging insect populations which in turn destroy plant life. Many seek access to the carefully guarded seed bank. In a world where resources are limited, supplies are guarded and treasured. Country after country and company after company seek to control what is available stimulating power struggles and war. In addition, global warming is raising the seas and strong sea walls must keep the water at bay for coastal areas.
The characters weave the concepts into a tale that flows flawlessly. Anderson Lake is an American working for a large agricultural company called Agrigen headquartered in Iowa. His goal is to tap the Thailand seed bank and reap profits for his company and himself.
Captain Jaidee works for the Environmental Ministry defending the country and its people against foreign interests. He and his teams go so far as to destroy foreign cargo after cargo. Thais view him as a folk hero.
The most important character is Emiko, a genetically altered individual called a windup girl. She was developed in Japan where young people and servants are rare but her skin pores are so small that she overheats easily. Her jerky movements are so obvious that she must concentrate to move like others in the society. Brought to Thailand by her patron, she is abandoned when he returns to Japan. Instead of being destroyed when her patron leaves, he sets her free. However, Thai society does not allow windups in their country and as an illegal she is forced to work as a prostitute where she undergoes degrading experience after degrading experience. Her dream is to escape to a New People village in the north where other windups reported live.
Kanya is a surviving village woman working for opposing political Thai groups as Jaidee‘s second. She rarely smiles but she admires Jaidee for his foresight, bravery and values. Having survived a raid on her own village, she strives to exist by working both sides.
Hock Seng is an immigrant Chinese known as a yellow card who works for Lake as an accountant. As long as he doesn’t speak he can pass for a Thai. However, yellow cards are not well accepted in Thai society. Hock Seng lost his thriving business and his family in a violent struggle, so he schemes to find a way to regain face and prestige even if it means stealing factory secrets from his boss, Anderson Lake.
Thus the stage is set for a dramatic story on several fronts, not the least of which is the political struggle between the Environmental and Trade Ministries. I found this read so fascinating that it was hard to put aside. If you like science fiction, I highly recommend this one.
