The Windup Girl

Caught an NPR review of this book several weeks ago which sounded very intriguing. Of course I'm always a up for a little sci-fi. The week before last I happened by the library's booth at my community's weekly farmers' market. They were advertising their programs, including a book group discussion about The Windup Girl.

Seeing as how this book has tapped me on the shoulder a couple times consecutively, I felt compelled to read it, and in time for the book group. Of course I couldn't seem to find it anywhere. I've been boycotting Amazon since their douchey manipulation of book publishers scandal broke a few weeks back. Of course the question would be when would it arrive if I did buy it through Amazon. I digress ...

Finally found the book at Elliott Bay, Seattle's faithful institution of an independent bookstore. A true rarity in this day and age. With just days to read it, I ended up devouring it. What a novel! My local library group consisted of eight elderly ladies and another woman about my middle age-ish. That still seems so strange; referring to myself as middle age.

We first went around the room with introductions. Then went around again to say whether we liked or disliked the book and give some impressions. None of them really cared for the book. Most of them had read it all the way through. A couple people hadn't quite finished. Not sure how, for me it was uber compelling.

Honestly I think The Windup Girl is one of the most important novels of our time. Through this extraordinary novel, I saw how clearly life in its various forms has intertwined fates. Synchronistically enough, I've just begun studying Buddhism, which has an underlying current throughout the book. It's so clear how much humanity suffers at its own hand, whether betraying the environment for the sake of profit or more so sustaining suffering by means of attaching to all that is impermanent.

This novel paints a frightening picture of our future here on earth, made painstakingly difficult by giant agri-business. Plagues and diseases running rampant due to genetically modified organisms (plants as well as animals, even humans!). Starvation caused by environmental degradation and lack of biodiversity. Loss of land from dramatic sea level rise. Oppressive heat caused by carbon pollution, most of which today is caused by poor agricultural practices. The list goes on ...

Bangkok, Thailand is the setting, ruled by a monarchy and its serving ministries. The two prominent ministries are environmental and trade, both at polarized odds with one another. Sound familiar? I don't want to give too much away.

What surprised me most about the group is what a lively environmental discussion this book prompted among these ladies, most nearly in my grand parents' generation. Not only did each of them acknowledge our human impact on earth, they also talked about changes they are making to help curb such impact. I found myself getting so energized by our discussion. I felt like I had a lot to share and many insights, not just about the book. I felt passionate, like our small group conversation could actually make a big difference. Maybe not one I could taste, touch, smell, see or feel with my physical senses. In my heart I felt alive, whole and so completely spirited.

If you haven't yet read The Windup Girl, you simply must. It's provocative, intelligent, thrilling and compelling. Few works capture how much more we have to evolve as a specie than this novel.