The Windup Girl

One of the best pieces of post-collapse speculative fiction I've read. Bacigalupi's dystopian vision is rooted in a strong understanding of both ecology and human behavior. The story is told through the eyes of five flawed, yet compelling characters, chasing survival and/or prosperity in a future Bangkok threatened by rising sea levels and genetically engineered diseases. There are no true heroes, nor villains, in The Windup Girl's cast of characters as the author avoids moralizing and instead reflects the messy reality of complex characters trying to survive in a dangerous world. The plot moves forward smoothly, and accelerates into a thrilling final battle, and a conclusion that is both hopeful and terrifying.