I placed a hold on this book in AUGUST of last year. I'm number 5 in line now and so excited to read it! come on people read read read! lol

This was my favorite read of the summer. It is a truly amazing story, like no other sci fi I have read. At first, I was overwhelmed by the avalanche of story detail in this dense novel. But I slowly eased into this dystopian world , although at best, it's difficult to fully understand everything that is going on. There is some lack of backstory to help us along, although that just made me pay attention even more. But the depth of this author's imagination is staggering. I read some of Bacigalupi's short stories in Pump House Six afterwards, and really enjoyed them as well. I can hardly wait for the next novel from this author.

This is one of those books, that once you read it, you disagree with the critical acclaim. The book was based on major events that the reader is not privy to. You turn to page hoping the author will clue you in on what happened before, but alas, does not. I find the cultural context was at least at the beginning hindering the storyline from coming accross. I am not Thai or Buddhist, so without a Thai-English dictionary I was hardpressed to understand what I was reading. I dont want to have to Google words while I am reading, I want to be entertained. However, if you liked 1984, you will probably like this book. Some parts were really quite excellent, but its definitely not a series I would continue, should the author decide to write some more.

Really good. Quite scary. Utterly harrowing at key points. Not recommended for the squeamish.

Fascinating to see the rise of science fiction set in the developing world (see also Ian Macdonald); now keen to read Pump Sic and Other Stories, his short fiction collection.

Excellent apocalyptic sci-fi set in Thailand.

Wow. New ideas, wonderful three-dimensional characters, page-turner plot. Extrapolates from the present into a previously unimagined future, exploring the potentials of genetic engineering, economic colonialism, global warming and resulting global economic collapse. But throughout it all, people are still people - even bioengineered "New People". To me, that's the real essence and fascination of the book - the exploration of the human spirit and character and what we are capabile of doing to, and for, each other. By the way, to the other reader who commented on the descriptions of sexual exploitation - I understand those scenes were tough to read - but don't think those things - and worse - don't happen every day somewhere in the world. In my opinion, those scenes were essential to the book as the author explores the human condition.

I loved this book. Very technical and the details overwhelm at first, but facinating and gripping. I felt that the difficult gang sexual torture scene was integral to the plot because it put in motion the denoument of the book. I think the wind up girl's overriding of her earlier training to stand up for her dignity also mirrors the final decision by Kanya towards which the whole book is moving. This is definitely an author to watch. I loved his next book, The Ship Breaker, a YA novel which is set in a similar world. CAN'T WAIT for him to write more!

The story is well-written, exciting, and thought-provoking. However, be warned that the author's has included intense descriptions of the sexual humiliation heaped on "The Wind Up Girl" (which in my option detract from the overall power of his story and veers uncomfortably toward misogyny.) The details serve no point because the story has is about a future in which agricultural seed production and distribution are controlled by manufacturers, which essentially keeps most of the world's population one growing season away from starvation. It's not a story of sexual exploitation of a marginalized minority (the author doesn't seem to care about any of the other women working in sex clubs, for example.)

Fantastic new author - gripping story and characters. Deserved every award.