Released: 2011 through 2012 (First Arc)
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic
Number of Pages: 537
One of the newer entries in dystopian fiction, Hugh Howey has written the Silo trilogy. Out of nine books, the first five are contained in an anthology book simply titled: “Wool”. Aside from the occasional side character that doesn’t engage, this series gets off to a strong start.
In the late 21st Century, Earth has been rendered uninhabitable by a long-distant and long-forgotten conflict. The remnants of humanity live in giant underground silos with everyone having their own job to manage limited resources. But when a murder and several unwarranted exiles take place, a rebellion starts to form. The plot unfolds from the perspective of several characters that comprise the silo leadership and the lowly workers in IT, mechanical and other sectors. Juliette is the lead protagonist and goes on the biggest journey, but others also add detail to the setting. Lukas is tipped for leadership and sees the corruption at the higher levels while Shirley, Walker and Courtney bear witness to the chaotic violence that breaks out.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is how it constructs the silo and the operating procedures within. We get a good sense of the layout, how deep the bunker goes and how the different components work with each other. The reader also understands how rule-breaking is severely punished by sending offenders to the outside world in a cumbersome suit. Through different ranks and professions, the sense of order and structure is always visible. Some characters only have brief roles and aren’t so developed as a result; Sheriff Holston and Deputy Marnes are the most glaring examples, but they don’t diminish the narrative impact.
The final piece of the puzzle is the rising tension and ensuing conflict. Without giving anything away, the battles that break out within the walls are brutal and bloody, but the focus stays on the characters caught up in the chaos. Swapping back and forth between two locations, we have a seamless blend of mechanical engineering and ranged combat. The two sides balance each other out, pushing the story forward while expanding the wider setting.
Recommended?
YES: The claustrophobic and grim tone of Wool makes for a solid slice of dystopian sci-fi. With great world-building, many emotional moments and an oppressive atmosphere, this opening release from Hugh Howey delivers everything you could want from the genre. With the three main arcs now consolidated into three anthologies, it’s easier than ever to jump into the author’s world.
(Silo was recently adapted into a TV series on Apple TV with a second season on the way)
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