Wool

Hugh Howey

Average Rating 9/10 (1 Review)

In a ruined and hostile landscape, in a future few have been unlucky enough to survive, a community exists in a giant underground silo. Inside, men and women live an enclosed life full of rules and regulations, of secrets and lies. To live, you must follow the rules. But some don't. These are the dangerous ones; these are the people who dare to hope and dream, and who infect others with their optimism. Their punishment is simple and deadly. They are allowed outside. Jules is one of these people. She may well be the last.

About the Author:
Hugh Howey spent eight years living on boats and working as a yacht captain for the rich and famous. It wasn't until the love of his life carried him away from these vagabond ways that he began to pursue literary adventures, rather than literal ones. Hugh wrote and self-published his first adult novel, Wool, which won rave reviews and praise from readers. Shift is its prequel. Hugh lives in Jupiter, Florida, with his wife Amber and their dog Bella.
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'Thrilling, thought-provoking and memorable... one of dystopian fiction's masterpieces alongside the likes of 1984 and Brave New World.'

'Well written, tense, and immensely satisfying, Wool will be considered a classic for many years in the future.'

Review by Nigel (090313) Rating (9/10)

Review by Nigel
Rating 9/10
The residents of the silo believe they are the only people alive. They are not allowed outside due to the toxic atmosphere that will kill them, even when in protective suits, as it eats through the seals. In fact they are not even allowed to discuss the outside without the risk of being sent to Cleaning.

The silo’s only ‘view’ of the outside world is through external cameras, which, over time, become dirty and begrimed and since to clean them means going outside only those sentenced to death, or willing to die, get to do the job. But why, you ask, would someone thrown out for their crimes voluntarily clean the cameras? Interesting yes?

This is in fact a small part of wonderful story about power, corruption and greed on one side, all defensible by the age old adage ‘the end justifies the means’ while on the other we have hope, truth, courage and love.

When the silo’s Sheriff is sent to Cleaning the Mayor must find a suitable replacement. Juliette, who works as a mechanic at the very bottom of the silo, somewhat reluctantly takes the job after being recommended by the Deputy Sheriff. This is not acceptable to certain factions who had their own plans for a replacement. So ensues a battle of wills as power shifts and the silo’s population becomes restless, all reaching its inevitable conclusion… something, as it turns out, that is not new.

Although there is nothing really groundbreaking in the basic plot (as with most books) I really enjoyed Wool and can see why the original self-published novellas gained such a following. It is very well written and keeps you hooked all the way through. A true word of mouth novel that deserves every success.

Reviewer's Note:
Originally published as a five part eBook series Wool is a shining example of why self-publishing, in this case via Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing, should not be dismissed simply because it hasn’t been vetted by a publisher or agent (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wool_(series) for more details).

1. Wool (July 30, 2011)
2. Wool: Proper Gauge (November 30, 2011)
3. Wool: Casting Off (December 11, 2011)
4. Wool: The Unraveling (December 26, 2011)
5. Wool: The Stranded (January 25, 2012)

Nigel (9th March 2013)