The Literature Corner
By Kali Shevlin
IV Leader Columnist, Oct. 16, 2008
Imagine that a war decimated the United States over the pro-life vs. pro-choice argument.
What if a solution was reached that satisfied both sides, but caused terror amongst teenagers?
In Neal Shusterman’s book, “Unwind,” children can practice retroactive pregnancy termination or be aborted at the age of 13 and harvested for a full body transplant. This process is called Unwinding and if a kid scheduled for unwinding can last until they are 13, they’re free.
Three kids, Connor, Risa and Lev, are being unwound for different reasons. Connor’s folks think he’s a trouble maker, Risa is an orphan being unwound because of state budget cuts and Lev is a tithe for his religion. These three kids come across each other and try everything possible to avoid their fate.
Throughout the book the trio is exposed to the darkest depth of their world. From people storing unwanted babies, to secret groups hiding kids and finally to chemically altered clappers who blow up harvesting camps, the unwind will fight back with everything they have.
Urged on by the legends that people with transplanted parts are never the same, these kids will do whatever it takes to put an end to this fiendish plot.
Dealing with emotional issues that are sure to make the coldest readers cry, Neal Shusterman’s world shows us where we are heading if we don’t learn to get along.
The characters and ease of acceptance of the world of unwinding and full body transplants makes one squirm.
Hopefully this book will lead to an end of the conflict in our world. However, this book might go from fantasy to reality pretty fast if we’re not careful.