Book Club: Holmqvist’s “The Unit”
Welcome back to this month’s Book Club! In May 2025, our team unanimously approved Ninni Holmqvist’s “The Unit” as our official Book of the Month. Don’t worry, no spoilers shared. Enjoy!
PERHAPS YOU SHOULD BOW.
Confusion pulses through your mind as you ponder this statement. Don’t worry, I’ll do the hard work and explain.
You see, you’d find yourself bowing because Ninni Holmqvist has created a masterpiece, “The Unit.” Hailed as an international work of genius and at the pinnacle of dystopian fiction, Holmqvist’s novel has left a lasting impression on readers that would be wrong to be ignored.
“You see, bowing would be the necessary course of action so you can truly respect Ninni Holmqvist’s masterpiece, “The Unit.”
Ahrin Jain ~ Perfectly Summing Up The Incredibility of “The Unit”
Before we continue to discuss the book, I’d like to say a word about Dystopian Fiction, The Unit’s book genre. Whilst Science and Fantasy Fiction novels can seem unrealistic and superficial, I personally am thrilled by dystopian novels as they intertwine both fantasy and, to an extent, a degree of realism. Dystopian novels not only prove to be gripping stories, but also allow a new dimension of questioning and exploration - could this be our future? Is this pure fiction or instead speculation on what the future could hold?
Holmqvist’s “The Unit” will almost definitely prompt you to answer these questions, only enhancing the magic of dystopian fiction.
Clinical and haunting, The Unit is a modern-day classic and a spine-chilling cautionary tale about the value of human life ⭐️
— Waterstones UK
Everything about “The Unit” was spectacular. The story sets off with a defenseless, destitute woman named Dorrit, physically, mentally and monetarily unable to cope with the challenges of life.
Then The Unit comes along.
As a plan devised by the currently elected government, it offered a lavish, all-inclusive lifestyle for not a penny, but in exchange participants must give up their freedom and become “dispensable.” At first, the experiments and tests are small and insignificant; take these tablets, don’t exercise for three weeks.
“I liked ‘The Unit’ very much…I know you‘ll be riveted as much as I was.”
— Margret Atwood, Canadian novelist and poet
After a while, however, things get intense. Dispensable individuals are required to donate organs, be exposed to potentially lethal doses of radiation until, after a few years, they are taken in for their “final donation,” extracting vital organs, tissues and cells to be used elsewhere.
This ominous tale includes twists and turns, an unflinching tale of society’s eventual demise. In a world which exploits the helpless and where truths are forgotten, I know you’ll be enthralled as much as I was.
‘Savagely dystopian…remarkably deft.’
— Barnes & Noble Bookshop’s Review of “The Unit”
Ready to read? Not to worry, this book’s available internationally - we’ve attached links for the UK, the USA + Canada and India.
UK 🇬🇧 Ensure to see for used options - they’re around £2-£3 and still in great condition!
USA 🇺🇸 + CANADA 🇨🇦 Here’s the Amazon link - be sure to look for third-party sellers for a better deal, if you can!
INDIA 🇮🇳 Some readers have reported technical difficulties whilst accessing the India link; contact us and we’ll send a URL to copy-and-paste.
Thank you so much for reading the MAY 2025 BOOK CLUB! We’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this book - be sure to comment below! 📕