Wool

This might be one of the most interesting books I’ve read in a really long time. And it gives me faith that some good might be found in the self-publishing movement. (Because most of the self published books I’ve read have been crap.)

There were so many nuances and layers to the story – I thought it was really well done and I’m eager to read the next book.

I found this society interesting – all of these people packed in a giant silo that provided food, shelter, electricity, companionship, government. No one has ever been outside. The only “outside” these people have ever known is a desolate, toxic wasteland only viewed from the window on the top level.

If you express any sort of longing for something more than life inside a silo, you are sent outside, which is basically a death sentence. If you have ideas or ask questions, you, too, might find your life cut short before you have time to rock the boat.

I thought Juliette was a terrific character – strong, intelligent, capable. (Not running around wringing her hands in search of a boyfriend like so many other female characters I’ve been reading lately.)

The plot moved quickly and I found myself constantly surprised by the twists

If I have any criticism of the book, it would be that the ending felt a little rushed. I wanted to know more. I’m sure that it’s resolved in the next book, but I want to know now!

Overall, this was a really compelling novel.

i've been chasing the high of the city of ember for 20 years and i've finally found it again.

SYNOPSIS:

Wool is book 1 of the trilogy.

In a post-apocalyptic world, outside is uninhabitable. Humans are living in an underground “silo”, which is giant & houses a huge community.

Humans follow a set of rules in The Pact. One of the rules is never asking to go outside. If violated, the condemned is sent to “clean”, which basically is cleaning off the camera for folks to see. The condemned are sentenced to “cleaning”, given special suits, and die shortly after.

This is the way of the Silo. We are introduced to a strong-willed woman, Juliette aka Jules, who isn’t afraid of the powers at be & isn’t afraid to be curious. I can’t really say more without ruining it, but that’s the premise.

MY THOUGHTS

I discovered this trilogy via Apple TV. I watched the first season of the show, which is very well done. Honestly, I liked some details of the show that were included, which didn’t exist in the book. For anyone curious, the first season only covers the first half of this book with many additional things added to it. It is definitely one of the few cases where I think the show may be as good as or better than the book.

I loved Hunger Games & Divergent, and I’m a fan of these dystopian world stories. It feels like it’s been a minute since one came out that I liked. I enjoyed this one, and I can’t wait to read the other two in the series.

Loved seeing a strong, capable woman as a main character.

I enjoyed the world created in the book, and it’s easy to picture life in the silo.

The writing is good. My only complaints are it is a little long & drags a little in some spots.

TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book 1 of trilogy set in apocalyptic, dystopian world. Strong, capable woman as main character.

Un libro sobre gente viviendo en un silo bajo tierra sobreviviendo a un mundo exterior devastado.

Y lo mejor es que no saben nada sobre ese mundo, ni siquiera se preocupan. Estan contentos con su silo y con su vida. Hay niveles con comida, niveles que generan energia, etc.

El libro hace un buen trabajo metiendo la explicacion de como funciona el mundo junto con la accion.

Sin embargo me ha parecido un poco lastrante a veces, como si intentara rellenar paginas con cosas que realmente no van a ningun lado. Por ejemplo hay un momento en que un personaje busca cierta information en un ordenador y hay una pagina entera explicando todos los resultados no acertados que encuentra para luego encontrar el dato buscado, cosas asi no añaden nada de valor a la historia.

Tambien el libro tiene bastante giros que se suponen que son sorprendente, personalmente solo me sorprendieron tres uno al principio, dos al final. Los demas se veian venir desde hacia leguas, y vienen lentamente por la forma esta de lastrar la historia que a veces tiene el libro.

De todas formas en general muy bien, lo recomiendo mucho, es uno de esos libros que no podras parar de leer hasta por fin acabarlo.

“Wool Omnibus” is a collection of 5 novellas that tell the story of a post-apocalyptic society living in a giant underground silo. The author, Hugh Howey, originally self-published the first novella, Wool, as an e-book in 2011, and later expanded it into a series that became a bestseller. The audiobook version, narrated by Amanda Sayle, brings the story to life with a captivating performance that captures the emotions and personalities of the characters.

The story begins with Holston, the sheriff of the silo, who decides to go outside to the toxic wasteland after losing his wife. This act of rebellion, known as cleaning, is the ultimate punishment for those who question the rules of the silo. Holston's fate sets in motion a series of events that reveal the secrets and lies behind the silo's existence, and the struggle of those who seek the truth. The main protagonist is Juliette, a mechanic from the lower levels of the silo, who becomes the new sheriff and uncovers a conspiracy that threatens the survival of the entire community. Along the way, she meets allies and enemies, faces dangers and challenges, and discovers a shocking reality about the world outside.

The audiobook is divided into five parts, each corresponding to one of the novellas. The first part, Wool, introduces the setting and the main conflict of the story. The second part, Proper Gauge, follows the journey of the mayor and the deputy sheriff to recruit Juliette as the new sheriff. The third part, Casting Off, shows Juliette's investigation into the silo's history and the role of the IT department. The fourth part, The Unraveling, depicts Juliette's escape from the silo and her discovery of another silo nearby. The fifth part, The Stranded, chronicles Juliette's return to the silo and her attempt to overthrow the IT leader and free the people.

The audiobook is a gripping and immersive experience that keeps the listener engaged and invested in the story. The narrator does a great job of conveying the different voices and accents of the characters, as well as the tone and mood of the scenes. The story is well-written and well-paced, with a balance of action, suspense, drama, and romance. The characters are realistic and relatable, with their own flaws and strengths. The themes of the story are relevant and thought-provoking, such as the nature of human curiosity, the power of hope, the danger of deception, and the value of freedom.

“Wool Omnibus” is a brilliant and original work of science fiction that explores the human condition in a dystopian setting. It is a compelling and satisfying listen that will leave the listener wanting more. I highly recommend this audiobook to anyone who enjoys a good story with a twist.

DNF @ 65%.

I just don't care what happens any more.