“There were eight of us. Only two were men, which wasn’t that strange as the age limit for them is sixty. It’s perfectly natural; after all, they produce viable sperm much later in life than we produce eggs. Even so, I had thought for a long time that the difference in age limits for men and women was unfair.”
The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist
Dorrit Weger remembers when the new referendum was talked about but it was a new political party that no one paid much attention to and besides she’d never been much into politics. She figured she had all the time in the world to have a family but now she is fifty, single, childless and without a job in a progressive industry so her call of duty is to report to the Unit and be of service to those who have been deemed more deserving.
Life on the Unit means you are taken care of because you are valuable to a certain degree. There really isn’t a cash system, there are restaurants, art galleries, dancing and you live in your own place. All the while being watched and slowly being used for drug experiments. As time goes on members are asked to donate organs to those on the outside who need them. Most members of the Unit live about six years before their final donation.
The months pass by and Dorritt, who so far has mainly been part of an exercise study, has started forming friendships and is perhaps even finding love. It all seems almost normal except for the fact that she starts to see her close friends endure harsh side effects and there’s a quiet desperation that builds inside knowing that some members who you don’t see one day may have gone on to give their final donation.
A crucial point in the novel comes when Dorritt’s life is about to change. Can she perhaps have another chance as a regular member of the outside society?
While I expected to find a bit more rage or revolt from the members of the Unit it seemed to me that for the most part everyone just accepted things as they were. No one was happy but I couldn’t help but wonder how does a society just accept this and no one questions it anymore? Is it because it has gone on for so long?
And, really who’s to say one life is more valuable than the other? At least personally, I believe that we all have something to contribute to the world whether it’s on a small scale or something grand. There has to be something and it can’t just be based on reproduction. Reading this book my mind swirled with questions and not many answers from the book which of course makes this a perfect read for a book group discussion.
I think this is one of the best books I’ve read all year. I felt the horrible gut-wrenching moments when Dorritt saw her friends go away. I felt her fear as the night closed in on her and she was alone with her thoughts. It was a chilling read which I hope you’ll decide to read too.
Source: Advance Readers Copy
You know this has been in my wishlist for sometime.
Thank you for the review, the questions you ask are really somethings that do happen in society right now too (like accepting something because it has been going on for a long time).
Veens – Exactly! It happens everywhere and for some stuff I guess it is ok but what about when there is a lot more at stake? And who decides which what’s right? So complicated but in particular it just makes me sad/mad for the people who suffer. Glad you have the book on your wishlist!
I just read this last week! It is an *amazing* book. It reminded me of The Handmaid’s Tale in that it made the whole idea so believeable that it was scary.
Lezlie
This sounds really good! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’ll keep it mind for when I’m in the right kind of mood — ready for something really thought-provoking.
This sounds amazing, and like it asks some real uncomfortable but necessary questions.
BooksnBCs – Yes, totally reminded me of Handmaid’s Tale as well! I mean it sounds a bit fantastical and yet scary to think that it could happen. Glad to hear you really liked it to Lezlie.
Dorothy W. – I do think this is one of those you have to be in the mood for and I like the fact that it just leaves you with questions.
Nymeth – Definitely uncomfortable questions because I think how easy it would be for either party to justify the “rightness” of their decisions. Hope you’ll check it out!
I have this on my pile and it does sound very good. It reminds me of Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go, so I’d be curious to compare the two. Wasn’t this one translated from Swedish?
Thanks for the lovely review, Iliana! I’ve read a lot of good reviews on this book so I need to add this onto my wislist! 🙂
This review is going to push The Unit to almost the top of my TBR pile. Thanks for the great review!
Great, another interesting dystopian novel to add to my list. If I’m not careful I’ll get really depressed in 2011 reading about all these possible miserable futures! 🙂
This sounds like a perfect book for my book club. I know we could have hours of discussion on this one.
Danielle – I haven’t read Ishiguro’s book (although I pretty much know what happens). I don’t know why I’ve put it off as I just love his writing. And, yep, this is a Swedish book. With as many Swedish books I seem to read I think I need to go there 🙂
Melody – I hope you’ll check it out one day. It’s so good.
Vasilly – Yay! I tell you, it really makes you think and I love that in a book.
Joanna – Haha… I know what you mean. I used to think I didn’t like these kinds of books but considering how many I have loved I must like them a bit. Just have a good fun book waiting for you after this 🙂
Kathleen – oh you should bring it up to your members! I go to a mystery book group only now but if I was in a fiction group I’d definitely bring it up.
I’m pretty sure I would like this one.
I guess they don’t eat each other, like in Soylent Green.
Sounds a little bit like Ishiguro’s Never Let me Go.
Chilling is right! I don’t know how anyone could just accept it. They were upset and even angry, but they still accepted it. Gives you a lot to think about when it comes to society and human worth.