Neal Shusterman’s Unwind: A World Where You Have to Run to Survive
Reviewed by Maya Johnson
Running, constantly on the lam; if you’re an Unwind like Connor, Risa, and Lev, you are an enemy of the state until you reach your 18th birthday. Neal Shusterman’s Unwind depicts a dystopian future with lifestyles very different from our own. The Second Civil War was fought over the right to life. It was decided that between the ages of 13 and 18, a child may be “unwound”, meaning all of their body parts may be detached and transplanted into people that ordered them. This is the twisted world of Unwind.
The story follows three teenagers by the names of Connor, Risa and Lev. Connor has always been known as the “bad kid”; he picks fights and enjoys living life on the edge. Risa was born a ward of the state. She’s lived in an Ohio state home all of her life. She was sent away to be unwound because music, her subject of choice, was not useful enough in the future, and there was not enough money to take care of her. Lev is a tithe. From even before their conception, tithes are destined to be unwound for God on their 13th birthday. They are the tenth child in their families and are raised their entire lives believing their life is sacred and meant to be given to God. From the moment their stories converge, the rest of the novel tells their experiences of life on the run.
I found Unwind to be a very fast paced, exciting story. It also may be one of the most disturbing books I have ever read. The very concept of Unwinding is horrifying to think about, and it takes awhile to get used to the idea of it; children younger than 13 definitely should not read this book. Overall, Unwind is a gripping tale with many interesting twists and turns that keep the reader wanting more.
Neal Shusterman’s Unwind is a wonderfully written novel. The third person omniscient point of view allows the characters and their distinctive personalities to come to life. The author manages to pull the reader in from the first few pages with his use of imagery, descriptive language and dialogue. The imagery in this novel is phenomenal, brought to life by beautifully descriptive language that caters to all of the reader’s senses. Shusterman writes, “Trees arch over the street, their branches cut into unnatural angular patterns by the profiles of passing trucks. The street is full of yellow and brown leaves, but enough diehards still cling to the branches to make a shady canopy” (Shusterman 90). One downside to Shusterman’s writing style is the constant switching of narration between characters. Although the reader quickly gets used to his style, it can be slightly confusing and incoherent at parts.
The story also includes many suspenseful cliffhangers, making the reader crave more. These cliffhanger chapter endings are what make the readers sit on the edge of their seats throughout the whole ride. For example, “Roland looks the Juvey-cop in the eye- no shame, no fear- and boldly presents his offer. ‘What if I told you I know where there are more than four hundred AWOL Unwinds? What if I helped you take down a whole smuggling operation? What would that be worth?’ The cop seems to freeze in place, and he regards Roland closely ‘All right,’ he says. ‘You have my attention’” (Shusterman 259).
Unwind covers many controversial topics and themes with ease, including: consciousness, the value of life, abortion, religion, death, and hope. All are major parts of the book and are built upon as the story progresses. Discussing these kind of themes draws in and captivates readers because they can connect on a personal level. These topics bring a level of depth to the novel and add to the wonderful story that is Unwind.
Shusterman, Neal. Unwind. New York: Simon & Schuster for Young Readers, 2007. Print.
