I loved this book. Right from the start the premise hooked me (and not just because I have teenagers :-)!) I'm not sure where to start! First off, I thought the whole way of looking at the abortion issue was extremely creative and unique. Talk about thought provoking! I could easily see this being used in a US history or Government class. It also made me want to sign up to be an organ donor, just so we would never become so desperate, as a society, for donor parts, that we would need to resort to such measures!
I felt that the plot moved quickly with lots of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. But what I loved even more were the characters. I felt they were very well developed, I grew to feel for all of them in turn...I even grew to like and sympathize with the Admiral (I cried at the "birthday party!"). I was especially intrigued with Risa and Connor and their relationship. I think Shusterman did a great job in developing their connection. One of my favorite passages occurs shortly after they arrive at the Graveyard. The passage goes, "A lot of that has to do with Risa, because every time he forces himself to think before acting, it's her voice in his head telling him to slow down. He wants to tell her, but she's always so busy in the medical jet-and you don't just go to somebody and say, 'I'm a better person because you're in my head.'" I loved the language in the book. Some of the passages were very poignant, I often found myself stopping to reread lines.
I think one of the most memorable parts of the book, and one of the hardest to read, was the section where Roland is unwound...yikes!!! And, I also liked how the author developed the subplot involving the issue of Tithing, and how Lev's character develops and grows.
If you liked this book, I am told you will also love Scott Westerfeld's Uglies series. I haven't them, but the kids love them. I am looking forward to recommending Unwind to fans of this genre.
I will stop here as I am anxious to hear what everyone thinks.
14 comments:
I agree with Kathy, I thought that this book was great! I loved the way the author gradually introduced the reader to the idea and full meaning behind the terms "unwind and clappers". Not knowing right off the bat what unwinding entailed I was eager to read more and more until I fully knew what was going to happen to the "Unwinds."
I also loved how developed the characters were! As I was reading I couldn't believe how invested I was in their ability to break free from the Harvest clinic. And I have to say, although I know it is not true to life, I was excited that the book had a happy ending. I think by creating a happy ending the book truly allows its teen audience an escape from reality.
I also like how the author wrote a seemingly simple sci-fi book that was packed with deeper meaning. While reading I saw connections to the abortion issue, religion and God, and everyday problems that teenagers might face (ie. strained relations with parents, Lev's feeling like a social outcast).
Overall, I felt the book was an easy read that kept me interested and involved in the lives and struggles of each of the characters. I was surprised how much the book actually made me reflect on our society today and question the direction we may be heading.
I loved this book. Upon looking at it and hearing about it, I was skeptical at first, but I really enjoyed reading it and didn’t want to put it down once I got started. I liked how the author brought the three characters, Connor, Risa and Lev, together. I wanted to know more about each character and was not disappointed when I finished the book.
One part that was particularly interesting to me was how we learned about CyFi and Tyler. This intrigued me because it showed the opposite view. What would have happened to CyFi if he did not get Tyler’s portion of his brain? How did he take on Tyler’s personality at times?
I liked how everyone knew a story about Humphrey Dunfee and how that story turned out. I was surprised when the Admiral threw his son a birthday party and how he gathered all the “parts” of his son to celebrate with the individuals that benefited from him son’s unwinding. That was a turn in the plot that I did not expect.
Overall, I wanted good things for Connor and Risa. In the end, I was happy that Lev survived as well even though I was mad at him during various points in the book. I was glad that Connor took over the Graveyard, but I wish he kept his name instead of taking on a new name.
I do think it is cruel that they keep the person conscious while they take their body parts. It was sad to read about Roland even though I disliked him for most of the book. I had a feeling that he was not going to turn out to be the person that killed the Goldens.
Good pick Kathy! I am interested to hear what others think too.
I have to say that I'm really debating about my true feelings for this book. Part of me found it disturbing and the other part found it entertaining. I guess when I reflect, it was gripping. I was angry in some parts and found myself closing the book, but I couldn't stay away from it for long. Like what others have said thus far, I really liked the characters.
I tried to look at this from a teaching perspective the entire time I was reading it, and I found some truly powerful substance that should be brought to the attention of our students: relationships with other humans in general, being part of one universe that is infinite, and above all, "the optical delusion of one's consciousness."(part 7)
Connor, Risa and Lev showed the passion for living and succeeding. The elements of structured education being absent and then the kids taking it upon themselves to learn what they were interested in doing after being placed in the field (Connor reading about engineering and Risa studying medicine). The kids did not have to be good at everything and perform well in every area...like we make our kids do all the time. Someone took the time to look at some part of their natural, true ability; this, in part, woke Connor and Risa up to their unending potential.
Lev learned how to have a voice and an opinion...something our students have a very difficult time discovering. But more importantly, he learned how to execute those feelings by making the right choices (all three of the kids show us this, even Roland when he lets go of Connor before killing him).
I loved the writing overall, and the added true clips from the real world...which really made me think! (I will check out the web sites given from those particular parts). Mostly, I really liked the fact that the setting wasn't so far into the future that it seemed truly fantastic. I miss visiting Connor, Risa and Lev each day...
Wow!!! What a book. I brought it on the plane and expected to finish on the way home. Instead, I took every free minute to read it on my vacation and finished it within a couple of days between sight-seeing. I, like Dawn, was skeptical of the sci-fi genre. However, this story line was intriguing.
I liked how the author chose kids to be unwound with varying backgrounds. They were not all "troubled" kids. Connor's issues were behavioral; Risa's reason was one of practicality for the state; Lev's issue was religious based. You would think that, knowing one could be unwound, there would be absolutely no behavior problems between the 13-18year old age groups. Interestingly, there still were. Does this say something about behavior development vs. choice in our teens? nurture vs. nature, maybe?.... Either way, all of the main characters were redeeming and likable. You wonder what behaviors would have brought the parent to sign the papers, or were they just tired of trying to cope with parenting.
As for Roland, he was not likable, and I couldn't really find anything redeeming about him until he was being unwound. That chapter was intense. As uncomfortable/disturbing as it was to read, it definitely filled the reader's curiosity about unwinding and how it was done. It also showed a different side of Roland as he went through so many different emotions (anger, hate, fear, etc.) It made him appear child-like in the way that he responded to the nurse who stood by him throughout the process.
I also think it brought up the idea that everyone has the right to life, but what they do with the time given on Earth should be spent working to one's potential, whatever that may be. The age group at stake that the author chose (13-18) tends to be the time when kids are so undecided as to who they are, what they want, and what they choose to do, the years where trouble/mistakes occur, etc. Risa did strive to be the best, but her mistakes cost her. Lev did as he was told and never thought for himself, which cost him, and Connor was difficult at home (typical adolescence) which cost him. It appears then that the author is looking at accountability for one's life.
I really liked the Admiral. The admiral not only saved thousands of kids, he helped them find their potential and use it for the good of oneself and the group as a whole (like in contributing to society). This is no different than any kid in any society. This was evident when Risa and Connor turned themselves in to save the Admiral at the end.
Oh yeah, no one mentioned the storking situation. What a way to deal with unwanted babies? It sounded like an interesting approach, maybe even workable, until Connor discussed the poor baby that was passed around the neighborhood until it died 2 weeks later. It makes you think about pro-choice vs pro-life issues.
This book was packed with so much to think about. It was a great read on many levels. I will recommend it to students. I think it would also be great for lit circles. I could keep going on....
I am reading everyone's comments and find myself thinking, "Yeah! That's right." or "Yes, I absolutely agree!" For example, I totally agree with Elena's comment about "structured" education, and how students would learn best if they are learning what they are good at/interested in...food for thought.
Also, Maria's comments about what we do with our lives and working to our potential was interesting. This isn't a point I focused on while reading the book, but now think that it would be a great message for students to come away with after reading the novel. I think for this, and many reasons, it would make a great class read or literature circle choice.
I thought the book had a very interesting storyline. Not being a very big sci-fi fan, I was not too sure I would like it. But I really had a hard time putting it down. I thought the characters were well developed and interesting. There were many times when I was surprised by the characters actions, Connor taking the baby from the porch, Lev turning Risa and Connor in at the school then creating a diversion to allow them to escape, and Risa as a medic at the Graveyard. She went from having no one to care for her to being a caregiver, which showed growth in her character. All in all the book was an easy quick read, my students last year enjoyed The Giver and I think they would Unwind as well.
I really enjoyed this book. I think the premise was a unique and interesting way to look at the controversial topic of abortion. The characters were well developed and I really liked getting to know each one of them. I think it was neat the way their stories came together and became intertwined. I was also glad that the author chose kids from different backgrounds to be unwound, that it wasn’t just the “problem teen”.
One character’s story I found particularly interesting was Hayden. I think the fact that he was being unwound because his parents couldn’t resolve a custody battle and, would rather see their son unwound than allow the other person to have custody, makes a bold statement about society today and where it could be heading. I would be interested to see how this decision affected the parents. Did they actually care about their son being unwound or was it just a power struggle and all about “winning”? I wondered if Hayden would go back to see his parents once he was 18 to show them that he had never been unwound at all.
I actually wondered this about most of the characters. I can’t imagine how it must affect a person when the two people who are supposed to care for them decide that they are not worth caring for after all. It also seems strange to me that parents would be able to make such a decision, but if it is normal practice in society, a kid being unwound is just an accepted happening. Parents felt they were helping society by providing parts to be used when they had there child unwound. I don’t know if I would be able to face my parents again if they decided to have me unwound but, then again I might want to, just to prove to them that my life wasn’t worthless and I had made something of myself.
I found Lev’s character to be very intriguing. I can’t imagine how it would feel to find out that your life was the way it was only for it to be ended on your thirteenth birthday. I guess since they did not believe that unwinding was killing his life wasn’t really being ended but either way to be raised just to be “sacrificed” for the greater good is an interesting idea. I felt for Lev as he struggled to understand the world around him and his resentment towards his parents grew. Although I can understand how he must have been very angry I did not want to see him end up a Clapper and I was relieved when he survived.
I also found the idea of storking interesting. I think the fact that if the person is caught leaving their child on someone’s doorstep they are legally responsible for the child from there on out was interesting. I don’t understand how this would solve the problem, if the mother was unable to care for the child in the first place how could they care for them once caught storking? Or would they just keep going from home to home until they are lucky enough to not get caught?
Overall, I think this book offers many interesting discussion topics and is definitely unique and entertaining. I think this would be a great book to use in class and an interesting lens to use to look at some current events, and how they could impact our future as a society. I would definitely recommend this to students.
I agree that this was an excellent book. The majority of the characters were extremely likeable. Risa was wonderful. She was able to find out how much potential she had to be successful in a medical profession. I totally agree with Elena, that kids learn best when they are interested and capable. I loved the way Connor became such a capable person who could be a positive leader to others. It was such a relief when he was able to take over the graveyard. I was very worried about the graveyard closing when the Admiral could no longer run it. This was a very powerful book and it was very easy to get involved with the situations these people were dealing with. Fortunately, it had a very happy ending. What is very concerning to me, is the possibility that this might be a prediction of what the future might bring. There has been so much disrespect for life in many societies including the US. Genocide, gun violence and abortion are examples. The storking was so sad. Why did these people keep having babies if they were just going to dump them on someone's door step. And what horrible parenting this was. It is always challenging to raise children, but it is totally rediculous to just unwind (basically murder) any kid that causes trouble or is going to cost somebody too much money. Lev's parents were big hippocrits. They were supposed to be so religious. It was bad enough that they were going to sacrifice their son at age 13, but then they wouldn't even take him back.
This would be a great book to use to stimulate class discussion. Many of the issues brought up would be very interesting to our students. They would also be able to relate to many of the events.
I agree that this was an excellent book. The majority of the characters were extremely likeable. Risa was wonderful. She was able to find out how much potential she had to be successful in a medical profession. I totally agree with Elena, that kids learn best when they are interested and capable. I loved the way Connor became such a capable person who could be a positive leader to others. It was such a relief when he was able to take over the graveyard. I was very worried about the graveyard closing when the Admiral could no longer run it. This was a very powerful book and it was very easy to get involved with the situations these people were dealing with. Fortunately, it had a very happy ending. What is very concerning to me, is the possibility that this might be a prediction of what the future might bring. There has been so much disrespect for life in many societies including the US. Genocide, gun violence and abortion are examples. The storking was so sad. Why did these people keep having babies if they were just going to dump them on someone's door step. And what horrible parenting this was. It is always challenging to raise children, but it is totally rediculous to just unwind (basically murder) any kid that causes trouble or is going to cost somebody too much money. Lev's parents were big hippocrits. They were supposed to be so religious. It was bad enough that they were going to sacrifice their son at age 13, but then they wouldn't even take him back.
This would be a great book to use to stimulate class discussion. Many of the issues brought up would be very interesting to our students. They would also be able to relate to many of the events.
Sorry, everyone, I don't know how this happened.
Kathy, the comment about life's potential probably came out of the fact that I just finished Ayn Rand's novel Anthem which is about the whole idea about reaching one's greatest potential, etc.
Also, I agree with Rebecca about Hayden. We see custody battles like this every day where the power struggle overrides rational thought, and the children pay in the end; this is just another level of it.
Rebecca, I read your comments about Lev and the idea about not "murdering" leave but sacrificing him for the greater good. This reminded me of a Christ-like figure where a son is given up for the greater good of everyone else which, I believe, is how his parents saw it.
Rebecca also mentioned that the whole unwinding idea was so accepted that it didn't seem an odd thing for parents to do because society felt it was ok, though we see it as horrific. This made me think of The Lottery by Shirley Jackson in that the lottery winner was stoned to death even by their own family members, which seems horrific to us, as well. But, since society says it is OK, everyone just went along with it. This is a huge message about conformity and society as a whole.
I can't wait to read more comments...
I agree with Maria, the whole plot line with Lev also reminded me of The Lottery. If you haven't read this short story I would highly recommend it. It was also developed into a TV movie many years ago. Maria's related comment about the concept of society as whole adopting a law or concept that is so bizzare brought me back to original concept of treaty between the two sides of the civil war. Remember, I believe it was the Admiral that suggested the idea of unwinding as a lark...never thinking it would be adopted. I think the two sides were so eager to put an end to their negotiations, no one was willing to admit defeat, they grabbed at any solution. Sometimes I don't wonder if that is what happens with our govenment? They have resolutions that are so far from their original intent because no one is willing to give up or bend. More food for thought.
As I read through the responses I think what a great book this would be to teach! What a lot of interesting issues/topics for discussion. And because these characters have so many identifiable characteristics, students would very easily relate to them...I am anxious to recommend this to students!
I thought this was a great choice for our book discussion group. Normally I do not gravitate towards reading sci-fi; however, this book was not only an enjoyable read, but also could be easily incorporated into the classroom. I could see it being used in an English class to illustrate point of view and character development, and I can just as easily see it being used in a government class when discussing controversial issues like abortion.
Like many others stated, I also loved the idea of the library in the "graveyard" that allowed the unwinds to research any topic that they were interested in. Nothing is more motivating to a person than being the one driving what you will be learning about.
I have two young nephews who are constantly asking questions about how things work or why things happen. One question invariably turns into another and another... Isn't it sad that by the time we get them in high school that passion for finding answers is all but extinguished in most students. Obviously it is important to have a structured curriculum in which all students are exposed to the many different subjects and a core base of knowledge, but wouldn't it be great if we were somehow able to weave in independent studies throughout school as well to keep the curiosity and motivation for learning alive???
Overall, this was a great book that had me eager to turn the page and kept me thinking about deeper issues such as issues about religion, parenting, education, and obviously abortion. Like I said, it's a book I probably wouldn't have taken off the shelf under normal circumstances, but I'm glad now that I did.
I must say that I did enjoy this book. It is not one I would pick out for myself, so, thanks Kathy!! I think many of our students would really like Unwind. All the issues in the novel- religion, abortion, peer pressure/relationships are topics students encounter on a daily basis. These issues would allow for that connection. The whole tithing bit was hard for me to swallow. Overall, I like how the author chose different backgrounds for the unwinds. It's nice to "see" that eveyone can find their place in the world eventually. Thanks to the Admiral. I loved his character. The road getting there may not be sooth, but it's attainable. I found the whole unwinding process disturbing. A little too much info when Roland was being unwound. However, I felt sorry for him too. Great choice.
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