|
Warning: I should say that this book is not light reading. It is extremely intense, thought provoking, and disturbing.
The setting is near future U.S. A bloody, second civil war has torn us apart, called The Heartland War. It was fought between the Pro-Life and the Pro-Choice movements.
As a compromise, abortion is no longer legal. However, parents can now, retrospectively choose to 'abort' their teenagers if they don't work out. Anyone between the ages 13 and 18 is not safe from being "Unwound".
The process of Unwinding is a mystery. The law refuses to see it as dying because 100% of the abandoned child remains alive. Simply in a 'divided state' in someone else's body.
The book centers around the lives of Connor, Risa, and Levi, all three of them are teenagers who are being unwound for some reason or another. Connor's parents think he's too much trouble, Risa is a ward of the state, and is being unwound to cut costs, and Levi is his family's tithe. All of them, however, band together to try and stay alive till they reach eighteen.
This author's characterization is exquisite. The reader hurts for these kids, and cries for them, and rejoices with them in every day that they are able to stay alive! You really feel the pain of being so rejected from everyone's love.
The pacing is also amazing! It is a rare book that I have never wanted to put down, but everything happens so quickly, and there is so much action, that it held my attention span till the last page!
This book also explores very important themes. "Where do we go after we die? Where do souls come from? "When does life begin? and "What does it really mean to be alive?" I don't agree with how the author portrays some things, but I think it is there to make his readers think. Not necessarily because he believes it.
Anyway, all that said, this book is not for young readers. In some spots it's extremely painful to read. Like I said, we hurt for the characters and agonize with them as they find out that they are to be sent to "harvest camp". In one really disturbing part, we are actually let into the room where they are proceeding with Unwinding. Although nothing is grotesquely described during that scene, it is so horrible just imagining things that I was crying by the end of it.
There are a few scenes where characters briefly kiss, and there are a few swear words scattered through the book as well. However, as far as content goes, it's very clean. The violence is not graphic or over described, and the themes of the book are where the chill factor comes from.
I would not recommend this book to just anyone. However, if you are passionate about the issues of abortion, stem cell research, etc... I think that you would be interested. It's like reading about anything extremely sobering. You probably won't thoroughly enjoy it, and parts of it will make you squirm, but in the end you'll be a better person.
I came away from this book with even more passion for the sanctity of life, and I think that will stay with me for a very long time...
_________________
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9
Nessa- She's given up the veil, the vows she'd sworn, abandoned every effort to conform. Without a word to anyone she's gone her way alone, a dove escaping back into the storm.
Nolan- And though I don't understand why this happened, I know that I will when I look back someday, and see how you've brought beauty from ashes, and made me as gold purified through the flames.
Azriel- And who do you think you are, running round leaving scars, collecting your jar of hearts, and tearing love apart? You're gonna catch a cold from the ice inside your soul, so don't come back to me. Don't come back at all...
|
