The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi is a near-future thriller where Angel Velasquez, a "water knife" for Nevada, tries to sabotage Arizona's water and investigate senior water rights amid a parched, dystopian American Southwest. The narrative follows Angel, Texas refugee Maria Villarosa, and journalist Lucy Monroe, highlighting brutal survival amid inter-state conflicts over dwindling water resources. Torture and graphic violence occur.

The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi captivates with its intense, dystopian vision, meticulously weaving environmental and political themes into its narrative. Praised for its thrilling pace and stark relevance, the story's richness, however, feels occasionally burdened by heavy-handed world-building and grim tone. Overall, it succeeds as an engaging, thought-provoking read.

Readers who enjoy dystopian thrillers with environmental themes, such as The Road by Cormac McCarthy or Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson, will likely be captivated by Paolo Bacigalupi's The Water Knife. The novel's exploration of water rights in a near-future America will appeal to fans of speculative fiction and socio-political narratives.

Dark / Suspenseful / Gritty / Unnerving / Mysterious

Paolo Bacigalupi

Adult

Novel

Fiction

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The Water Knife Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-5

The Water Knife Chapters 1-5 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 6-11

The Water Knife Chapters 6-11 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 12-17

The Water Knife Chapters 12-17 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 18-23 

The Water Knife Chapters 18-23  Summary & Analysis

Chapters 24-30 

The Water Knife Chapters 24-30  Summary & Analysis

Chapters 31-37

The Water Knife Chapters 31-37 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 38-42

The Water Knife Chapters 38-42 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 43-47

The Water Knife Chapters 43-47 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

The Water Knife Character Analysis

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Themes

The Water Knife Themes

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The Water Knife Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

The Water Knife Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

The Water Knife Essay Topics

The Water Knife

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