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Infinite Country by Patricia Engel | Thoughts

   Published : 2021   ||    Format : print   ||    Location : Colombia ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆   What was it about the country that kept everyone hostage to its fantasy? The previous month, on its own soil, an American man went to his job at a plant and gunned down fourteen coworkers, and last spring alone there were four different school shootings. A nation at war with itself, yet people still spoke of it as some kind of paradise.. Thoughts : Infinite Country follows two characters - young Talia, who at the beginning of this book, escapes a girl’s reform school in North Colombia so that she can make her previously booked flight to the US. Before she can do that, she needs to travel many miles to reach her father and get her ticket to the rest of her family. As we follow Talia’s treacherous journey south, we learn about how she ended up in the reform school in the first place and why half her family resides in the US. Infinite Country tells the story of her family through the other protagonist, El

Unwind by Neal Shusterman


Unwind
These two Unwinds are out of control. [...] They need to be protected from themselves. They need ... they need ... they need to be unwound. Yes. [...] It would probably be a relief for them, for now they're all broken up on the inside. Better to be broken up on the outside instead. That way their divided spirits could rest, knowing that their living flesh was spread around the world, saving lives, making other people whole. Just as his own spirit would soon rest.

There is only one thing occupying Connor's head these days and that is his upcoming unwinding. After the Second Civil War, a new law came into effect: the lives of children up to the age of 13 was well-protected. Beyond that, parents could choose to unwind their child - meaning allow the government to amputate every part of the child's body and use these parts for research or medical treatment. Since Connor's parents are no longer able to have any amount of control over him, they decide to unwind him. But Connor has other ideas and so he escapes one night. Somehow during his escape, he manages to cross paths with another unwind, Risa, whose state home could no longer afford to keep her in its care and a tithe, Lev, who was brought up by his parents just to give him up for unwinding - considered to be a holy action. Together, the three stumble across a hidden hive of unwinds and try to stay away from the authorities, until things go wrong.

My brother had been behind me to read this book, ever since he first read it a few years ago. I was pretty hesitant. Certain YA books just don't seem to work for me, and I still had no way of knowing how to recognize them before even turning a page. One day, I picked this book from the library for the husband to read, who devoured it in a few hours (and who is driving me crazy because of how quickly he gets through books while I am still in the first few chapters appreciating the writer's style, huff!). Finally, I gave the book a try and what do you know, I loved it!

Even though the idea of unwinding (splitting apart alive teens into parts that are just as alive as they were pre-unwinding) was depressingly sordid, the author really executed that idea well. The law was created to "protect" children and gave parents the right to decide whether their child was fit for society. Unfortunately that liberty also came with societal pressure (the expectations from fellow parents and peers to discipline their misbehaving kid).

The book is written from multiple perspectives, but mostly from three - Connor, Risa, and Lev. Some chapters come from very innovative perspectives that I found pretty clever. For instance, there is a chapter describing the reactions of a mob from its own perspective, another one from the perspective of a kid being unwound, etc. One of the major strengths of this book is its execution. Although occasionally, I felt the plot go weak or uninteresting, I was still hooked thanks to the way the author has organized the book.

To me, the most significant impression left by the book is in one of its chapters towards the latter half of the book, where one character gets unwound. Believe me when I say that chapter will really leave you gasping. Even despite being fed with tantalizing hints about the unwinding process, the real deal is still terribly poignant. Up until that chapter, I had been reading the book quick enough. At the end of that chapter, I couldn't really focus on anything. The husband also agreed that that chapter was very moving and powerful.

This is yet another book recommended by my brother that I loved. If the chap read more books more often, I would have replaced my recommendation engines with him - would have been more convenient. This is my first brush with Shusterman's work and I quite liked it. I doubt I will be sampling more of his books, but I probably will be looking forward to the sequel to Unwind.


I borrowed this book from the good old library.


Comments

Helen Murdoch said…
That is so funny that we both posted Neal Shusterman books at the same time! I have got to read this book, it sounds so disturbing but so good
Athira / Aths said…
I was thinking that too! So funny! 
christa @ mental foodie said…
I really enjoyed this one, prob my fav after Hunger Games. Is a sequel coming?! I am so behind with new book releases these days... here's my review if you are interested - http://mentalfoodie.blogspot.com/2010/09/book-review-unwind-by-neal-shusterman.html
Leeswammes said…
I've heard of this book but had no idea what it was about. Sounds like my kind of thing!
bermudaonion (Kathy) said…
This sounds like a book that would be really popular with teens.  I bet my husband would love it too.  Since your husband reads so quickly, he should write some reviews for you!
Athira / Aths said…
I just heard recently that a sequel is coming. I forgot the name though. And I think there's a third book planned as well to complete the trilogy. I hope it is as good as Unwind!
Care said…
Sounds creepy! and very unusual (at least for me - I suppose it fits a genre I just don't know much about.)
Athira / Aths said…
I think you will enjoy it too, since you like dystopia. I will be looking forward to hearing what you think!
Athira / Aths said…
I tried getting him to write reviews. He pretends not to hear me well. :)
Athira / Aths said…
It is creepy. I couldn't stomach it initially, but it is written so well, that i began to enjoy it.
zibilee said…
Oh, this one does sound very dark and impressive, and I can only imagine what kind of society would unwind their kids when they don't live up to expectations! Very nice review today! I am off to see if my library has this one. It sounds like a perfect book for when I need to get really dug into something deep.
Athira / Aths said…
I hope you read and like it! It's not too deep, but it's fabulous still!
Gasping? I must try it! I'm becoming quite the NG fan.
Sheila DeChantal said…
OOH I think you sold me!