"Unwind" by Neal Shusterman

 (this blog will contain minor spoilers)

The novel Unwind is a book revolving around a terrifying concept. In this future world, parents can choose to “unwind” their child once they turn 13 years old but not after they turn 18. The process of “unwinding” kills the child, and their body parts and organs are given to other people. This book’s ideas cover very controversial issues, mainly abortion, but also society in general.

The concept of teenager’s lives being held at their parent’s hands is very frightening, and the author does not shy away from the dark implications that the concept has. While the book has 3 main characters, the story seems to mostly focus on Conner. He is 16 years old and not a good example of a mature and responsible teenager. Although he is quite smart, he gets bad grades, rebels against the school, treats his parents badly, gets in many fights, and more. His parents decide that the best option is to have him unwound. They try to keep this information from Conner, but he finds out anyway after looking through his father’s office. He finds tickets to the Bahammas, but a ticket for him is missing. With more searching, he finds the irreversible unwind order and figures out that his family is going to unwind him, then go straight to the Bahammas to feel better about themselves. He doesn’t confront his parents, but decides to keep his knowledge to himself.

“Besides, he found a certain power in knowing his parents' secret. Now the blows he could deal them were so much more effective. Like the day he brought flowers home for his mother and she cried for hours. Like the B-plus he brought home on a science test. Best grade he ever got in science. He handed it to his father, who looked at it, the color draining from his face. "See, Dad, my grades are getting better. I could even bring my science grade up to an A by the end of the semester." An hour later his father was sitting in a chair, still clutching the test in his hand, and staring blankly at the wall. Connor's motivation was simple: Make them suffer. Let them know for the rest of their lives what a horrible mistake they made.”

The anger from Conner is very understandable, but the author finds a way to show the other side of the story very powerfully. While it is extremely unjust that Conner’s parents are planning on essentially killing him, the amount of guilt that is inflicted on his parents is unimaginable that it can even make the reader feel bad for the parents to a certain degree. 

The novel explains that “unwinding” was formed because of the pro-life vs pro-choice debate. Through this polarizing concept, the author isn’t trying to say that either argument is better or worse. If anything, the author is actually warning that arguments such as these can lead to extremes such as these. Although, it might not be this deep and this background was just picked because it is a real world debate today and somewhat connects to the idea. 

A very deep and philosophical idea is brought up many times in the novel. Characters that are in favor of unwinding argue that the body parts and organs from unwound people will save so many lives and improve many terrible ones that the sacrifice of the unwound will be small in comparison. One unwound character has come to terms with it, and says

"but now, statistically speaking, there's a better chance that some part of me will go on to greatness somewhere in the world. I'd rather be partly great than entirely useless."

Obviously, the concept of unwinding is ludicrous and clearly evil, but the author is very good at giving a good argument for such a crazy idea. It really makes the reader question if such a crazy idea could turn into a reality.

-Frank