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    Wool
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    Wool
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    Wool
    Audiobook16 hours

    Wool

    Written by Hugh Howey

    Narrated by Susannah Harker

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

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

    An epic story of survival at all odds and one of the most anticipated books of the year.

    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.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRandom House UK Audio
    Release dateJan 17, 2013
    ISBN9781448178230
    Unavailable
    Wool
    Author

    Hugh Howey

    Hugh Howey is the New York Times and USA Today bestsell­ing author of the Silo Series: Wool, Shift, and Dust; Beacon 23; Sand; Half Way Home; and Machine Learning. His works have been translated into more than forty languages and have sold millions of copies world­wide. Adapted from his bestselling sci-fi trilogy, Silo is now streaming on Apple TV+ and Beacon 23 is streaming on MGM+. Howey lives in New York with his wife, Shay.

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    Reviews for Wool

    4/5

    68 ratings56 reviews

    What did you think?

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      Brilliant storytelling, fantastic use of flashbacks and switching between different spaces and characters in revealing reality. Perfect narration, well done by the reader.
    • 4/5
      First book is a great short story.2nd, and I think 3rd are tedious.4th and 5th picked up the excitement and got a lot more interesting.
    • 2/5
      Started out a little slow, but then it got interesting after the main character left the silo... leaving you wanting to know more. But, when I purchased the second part of the series, it got very slow again and inevitably lost interest. Just couldn't get into it.
    • 5/5
      I've been on a streak of good books. I love it when that happens.I had just finished the first in the 'First Law' trilogy series by Joe Abercrombie - a very good book. And I like to break my series up. I like that feeling if "coming back" to a world. Sarah has been telling me I should read 'Wool', that it's one if the better books she's read recently. So I dug in (ha! Dug in! Get it? Nevermind, you'd have to be there)There's a whole interesting back story on how this book came about, and what items for the writing community in general, but let's save that and get right to the heart of the matter. It's a damned fine book. 'Wool' is a book I'd reccommend to anyone. Regardless of you're genre of choice, I feel confident in saying that you'll find something in this book you'll love.However, the problem with reviewing this book is that every little bit you know ahead of time is a little bit less joy you'll get when reading the book. It's a book about unfolding as much as story telling. And as the story unfolds bit by bit you'll be pulled deeper and deeper.So here's the least I can give and still feel like I haven't stolen too much joy from you, don't go looking for more, you'll only regret it later.People live in a silo. Huge, vast buried silos. They are born, live, and mostly die in the silo. There are rules to living in a silo. And if you break those rules, you are sent out to die. But before you die, you clean. You clean with a piece of wool. Everyone sent to die outside cleans first, even knowing they only have moments left. Why? Oh, there's a reason... And that's just the start.It's broken up into 5 stories. The first story is the one that hooked most people, for me it was the one that almost had me putting the book down. Well, not really. It was still so well written that there was no chance I was putting it down. But here's my advice, if you're in the opening and thinking "oh, this isn't really anything all that special". Stick it out. Think of that fist book as an epilogue. It's going to get lots, lots better.
    • 5/5
      Great concept well written.I thought I had only read the first book of this, but it turns out it was actually the omnibus edition, though I can't see anywhere in the book that it says this.
    • 4/5
      One of the first post-apocalyptic/dystopian novels I've read that's aimed at adults. I love that sort of genre in YA novels, but I've got to say, it was kind of refreshing to read that kind of thing with adult characters. Keep in mind that this was originally published in separate parts, so an overall review is slightly more difficult, but since there's still chapters within those parts it did not feel like you had to read the whole part in one sitting (although it's so gripping that you'd probably want to!). It starts off interesting and only gets moreso as you turn the pages. After the first part, you definitely want to get some answers, and although you realise some things along the way, you'll still be kept guessing as to how it will end. As for the characters, wonderful. There's such an amazing variety in the characters in terms of age, gender, and personality, because you get the perspectives of different ones depending on which part or chapter you're reading. (It's all in third person, different sections just focus on different characters).I'd say my favourite thing about this book is that it features 2 older characters in the second part, and explores the subtleties of their relationship beautifully. It was really refreshing to see older characters as important characters who aren't there to flashback and tell a story, or provide words of wisdom to younger or the main characters, the way they're often used in a lot of novels and movies. No, these characters are main characters, who take part in the main action for that part, and whose lives aren't considered over or irrevelant just because they're old. They're also extremely likeable!A final word on the author, Hugh Howey. This might not mean anything to most readers, who prefer to focus on the quality of the work alone, but I met him at a book signing in Sydney a few nights ago, and he's a really cool guy. He was so nice, sitting down next to people and signing books, taking pictures with them, and chatting away - before the event had even started! He answered questions for almost an hour, and some of the things he revealed just made me respect him all the more. He's very humble, and genuine, and you can tell he never expected to succeed the way he has, and that he's grateful for every single reader. Wool is worth reading simply because it's a great story, but it doesn't hurt that the author seems like a great guy, worthy of all the success this book has had.
    • 3/5
      A very interesting premise, but not written very well. I think the author tried to explore too much and should have focused on fewer aspects - this would have crated a richer reading experience (better character development and/or understanding of life in the down under).
    • 5/5
      Wow. Talk about hard to put down. Unique, wonderful characters that you instantly connect with, sooooooooo good. Highly recommend!
    • 5/5
      I am only near the end of Casting off and I Love this Book. And it is not the type of fiction that I normally read. Will write more when I finish
    • 4/5
      After hearing all the buzz around this work for the last couple of months I decided it was time to see what all the fuss was about. Anything rated this highly both here on Goodreads and over on Amazon must have some merit to it. Turns out that is exactly the case and the high ratings are accurate as far as I'm concerned. This dystopian novel is engrossing and engaging. I found myself reading instead of doing all those pesky life things (oh like work, cleaning, cooking, errands lol) because I just had to know what was going to happen next. Howey created a story and a world that I wanted, and still do!, to know more of. The writing was very smooth and easy to read. Even the bits that got into the technology of the machines didn't bore me and flowed nicely with the narrative. A very solid 4 1/2 stars.
    • 4/5
      Tragedy drags the reader into the well-constructed, claustrophobic world of the silo, and intrigue keeps her there. Why would anyone volunteer for the invariably fatal 'cleaning' that is this world's method of execution? What question could possibly eat away at the mind so that death is an acceptable price to pay for knowledge? Howey sets up his world with skill and imagination, and manages to maintain a satisfying level of surprise as the story unfolds. The characters are likeable and real - an essential part of this kind of story, building tension as danger mounts.I completely missed out on the original free release of this as a series of novellas, but it's worth paying for.
    • 4/5
      I really enjoyed this series. I was hooked from the first one, which reminded me a lot of an old Twilight Zone episode. Howey skillfully reveals just the right details at just the right time to keep it interesting all the way through. At times my mouth actually dropped open when something new was revealed. This was well worth reading and I look forward to more from this promising author.
    • 4/5
      It's a very enjoyable read; great dystopian sci-fi. Just good fun all around, basically. :)
    • 2/5
      2.5 stars

      Part 1 - Wool ★★★★☆
      One does not simply call their wife "baby" (or "honey"). Minus one star for me not being able to tolerate grown, sensible men calling grown, intelligent women ridiculous pet names. Else a quick read with some twists that manages to pull you in despite its short length and relative little world building (yet). Looking forward for more to come!

      Part 2 - Proper Gauge ★★☆☆☆
      Rather slow in the beginning, catching up speed in the last third, with some interesting meditations on and insights into life and death, vibrant characters, and definitely leaving me curious for more. So many questions about the silo!

      Part 3 - Casting Off ★★★☆☆
      Again: so many questions! I better get some answers before this omnibus is over!
      And what a killer ending, definitely had me grinning ("I KNEW IT!") one second and then gaping with an open mouth ("WHA...? Oh my, now it's getting interesting!"). Good stuff, gimme more!

      Part 4 - The Unraveling ★★★☆☆
      Let the action begin! Enjoyed the various perspectives and parallel subplots. Good characters again but would have loved for a more balanced pacing but let's see how this one plays out. On to the last one!

      Part 5 - The Stranded ★☆☆☆☆
      The last one was too convoluted, losing itself in dull prose and prodding along like glue in its minutious descriptions of plotlines ultimately contributing nothing to the plot. The endless descriptions of war and fighting didn't help in endearing it to me.
      I ended up skimming the last 150 pages or so and it turned out I did not miss anything of big importance. This could have easily been trimmed down around 40% and would have been better. The names started to grate on my nerves as well as some wording choices (what's with the constant bobbing of heads, dipping of chins, and "he took this" and "she put this"--just say "it" already!) and the inorganic nature of this collection of short stories.
      This series could be much better with a professional editor at hand, evening out the rough edges and making it into an more balanced-out whole novel.

      In Conclusion...
      I had such high expectations for this as it has been praised basically everywhere but I don't think I'll be following the series anymore; what started off as exciting, interesting, and full of potential quickly became an ordeal and I dreaded picking it up and having to spend more time in this gray and dull world with random characters suddenly getting some spotlight. At some point I just wanted it to be over and I only finished it so I didn't start off the new year with a DNF.
    • 4/5
      I am so glad to have found Wool. The entire existence of humanity, as far as anyone knows, has been reduced to a single population (in 50 silos). They carry on their day to day tasks just like the generations did before them. They do the best that they can with finite resources and life isn't too bad until light starts to show through the cracks in society. It turns out that there has been a lot of deception going on to keep things running smoothly.

      My one criticism of the book (and what keeps me from having the 5 star tingles) is that very early on we know most of the secrets of the silo and have to be patient while the characters find them out. I understand that this is because the first "book" of Wool was a standalone short story (that definitely gave me the 5 star tingles) and everything else followed serially, but it was certainly frustrating as a reader to only be waiting for what happened next instead of feeling the drive of finding out the next secret.

      With that said, finding out what happened next was enough to keep me reading all the way through. The plot as a whole was compelling and interesting. I was emotionally connected to not only the individual characters, but to the silo as a whole. I worried about them as if I had a stake in how they turned out. The ending was satisfying yet rather open-ended. I can feel story ideas bubbling in my head, which is what I consider the mark of good world-building.

      P.S. This would make an excellent television show or miniseries.
    • 3/5
      Very well edited, which is a pet peeve for me on indie/self pubs especially. Interesting, but there was a lot of telling where there could have been more showing. Not horrible, but not something I'd sing from the rooftops either. Quick read, and very believable premise.
    • 5/5
      Though originally written as 5 short stories this is really just one book. A very good book around a world reduced to one underground silo. I don't want to say too much as I don't want to give anything away. One of the best things about this book is slowly learning more and having the world grow with each new section.

      The first book was probably the best in terms of atmosphere. It was gripping and thrilling then suddenly it was over and there were so many questions. Through each of the subsequent books much was revealed but there were also new questions each time.

      This is a really good book and I can't wait to read the prequels to learn how it all being. Highly recommended.
    • 5/5
      This is an excellent book. I had a very hard time stopping at night to go to sleep.

      The characters were all interesting and well developed. The story is terrific as well, with plenty of suspense. I especially liked the way the author reveals the back story throughout the book, as if you were peeling an onion (a very tasty onion!).

    • 4/5
      I'm not a trendsetter, and I could be wrong, but I strongly believe Wool is the next big thing in books.

      Don't take my word for it? Ask the 5000 other Goodreads' reviewers who have praised this series, many since its infancy as a self-published stand-alone story. Wool will be big, but how big are we talking? We're talking multi-million dollar franchise, with films staring the likes of Charlize Theron, Viggo Mortensen, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Morgan Freeman (or at least those are a few I had in mind). Big as The Hunger Games? Probably not. Wool is a more mature series and that will hinder its success some, plus it lacks much of the seemingly necessary romance other popular series have.

      So how was the Wool Omnibus, the first five stories of the saga? Good. Really good. The first story is quite an attention-getter. Of the entire collection, this was the one I will likely never forget. It's fast paced and intriguing. It left me with a sick feeling in my stomach, but I wanted more. And I got more, which was good, because the other stories really built this world up. No, I personally didn't feel any of them matched what that first story did, but they certainly added to it and created a thrilling, action-packed story.

      Since I've already made the comparison, let me express my view that Wool is a better-written, more mature version of The Hunger Games. The premise is much more original and interesting, but the basic idea of one woman rising up against an impossible situation in a post-apocalyptic world where the masses are being lied to and on the brink of revolt is the same. Wool has that similar pace and style of The Hunger Games and I highly recommend it to fans of that series. That being said, those who didn't like that series may still wish to give Wool a try. It's different enough that it may draw you in. And though Juliette is not perfect, she is certainly more stable and intelligent than the portrayal of Katniss.

      I expected something a little more, perhaps a little different from Wool, and because of this I was slightly disappointed. Though it goes a little deeper than HG (I mean figuratively since it goes much deeper in a literal sense), Wool is largely an action story. Once I realized this, I was cool with it and enjoyed the rest of the ride, but I really wish it would've taken its time, unraveled a little slower and allowed rumination of this dark, deep world.

      I teetered on giving Wool five stars. For an action story, it was quite brilliant. What didn't work for me was the pacing. I would venture to guess this has something to do with the way Howey crafted this work, starting with a short story that I don't believe he intended to do anything further with. The first “book” is really the only one where the pacing worked for me. The second story slows way down, which could have been successful had it set the tone for the rest of the collection, but it's constantly up and down from then on out: fast and slow, characters pondering for pages, characters making rash decisions in a single sentence with no insight as to why. I could say more on this, but it would be difficult to discuss issues such as shifting loyalties and the like without being overly spoilerific.

      So, yes, I enjoyed Wool. More than likely I enjoyed it before you. And that makes me a leader. A trendsetter. The wave the future. I'm one of the cool kids now, but I promise if you hurry and read this book, I'll let you join the club.
    • 3/5
      Fun page turner about a post-apocalyptic society. Kept my interest trying to figure what the big reveal would be.
    • 5/5
      Definitely one of the best books I read all year. I highly recommend it. The ending was excellent. Be aware there is a hidden epilogue after the author's note!
    • 4/5
      Very readable and very enjoyable. Post apocalyptic dystopias are nothing new but this idea is done very well. Recommended.
    • 3/5
      Wool is set in a post-apocalyptic world where what is left of the human race live in an underground silo. The story, or stories - remember this is an omnibus of five novellas - concern the way in which life in such an environment is structured - how people work, eat, live, politics, law and order. It's part crime story, part scifi, part action thriller.

      It definitely has its moments and I did enjoy it. I did think that there were some things that are revealed at the end of part 1 that the author might have chosen to hold back if he'd known at the time he were writing a longer piece. And giving away a major piece of information about how the world of Wool works so early on didn't help it I thought.

      Also whilst there are a few main characters who go throughout most of the piece, there are others who feature mainly in one section or another. So if you pick the wrong character to follow you might not get to track them through the whole five parts (if you see what I mean).

      The thing that's best about Wool is the world-building and the way tension is built in the plot. Definitely worth a look.
    • 4/5
      Centuries have gone by living underground, and to do that, there must be rules. Rules that cannot be broken - not even by thought or word. Don't ask about going outside, because you might just get what you asked for.

      Set up in five sections, the Wool Omnibus tells the tale of those who don't ask questions, and those that do. This is great science fiction.
    • 5/5
      This book was imaginative, creative and original. I loved it from beginning to end. I am looking forward to reading the rest. Thank you for sharing this with us.
    • 5/5
      Listen, whatever you're reading - STOP. Put that book down, buy this one and read the hell out of it. Sometimes I forget how good books can be. I plod through books sometimes, feeling like I've read 100 pages when I've read only 10. I put the book down and six weeks later remember I am supposed to finish it. Not this one. Not Wool.Hugh Howey is an exceptional storyteller. Wool is ridiculously well-written and engaging, all the while desperate, bleak, and suffocating. Trust me - these adjectives all belong together in a single sentence. My husband even says to me, "I can already tell you how this story will go. Everybody THINKS the outside is toxic and uninhabitable, but they'll come to find out it's livable.." Not only is my husband WRONG like a wrong person on Wrong Day, but Howey shames him by demonstrating his talents by weaving hope into this dystopian wonderland. Quick synopsis - in a post-apocalyptic setting, remaining generations of humans and some animals (dogs, bunnies, and rats are mentioned) are existing below-ground in a cylindrical structure buried very very deep into the Earth's surface. Population control is strict and brutal. For every birth there must be a death. Birth control is implanted in the very-young. Howey has masterfully created a culture and its norms within the walls of the silo, and things are status quo for the reader for only a very short period of time. Things quickly start to unravel, and the wool begins to retreat from their and our eyes...Read this book, seriously. Begin the journey that is Wool, and you won't regret it.
    • 4/5
      People live in silos, shielded from the outside world. Some dare to think outside. Much too obvious who were the heroes and the bad guys, but that probably had much to do with the bad narration.
    • 4/5
      It got off to brilliant start but floundered a bit at the half way mark, and there's a noticeable drop in the quality of the writing towards the end. Some of the characters were unbelievable too (Lukas and Solo), which was a big let down. I liked it but will be in no rush to spend more time in the franchise.
    • 4/5
      This mid-read review covers my experience of the first story and half of the second.

      I picked this up on a Kindle sale based on word of mouth recommendation and I'm really enjoying it. The author does two things (at least) really well. First, he doesn't go crazy w/ world building exposition. He lets his characters and their stories reveal the setting. Second, he reveals his characters w/ how they move and how they physically act with each other and the environment, rather than through exposition and interior monologue.

      These observations cloud my impression of very good post-apocalyptic fiction w/ rich characters and observations about the human condition.

      I'm sold and looking forward to the rest of the stories.

      The five stories in the omnibus were very well crafted. I was enthralled. Tempted to give it a 5 star rating. I may yet.
    • 4/5
      Book one was wonderful, with the kind of potential that could make it a classic (think a sci-fi O'Henry or the surprise ending of an Ender's Game). Had the rest of the five books maintained the same level of excellence, I would have given it five stars. Which is not to say the remaining 500 pages weren't good. But as the story progressed, some flaws emerged.The author has a tendency, at least early on, to kill off point-of-view characters--in itself not a fatal flaw, but nevertheless annoying. Secondly, a large percentage of the surprise occurs in the first book. And while there's a lot of world building to come, it's spread over many more pages and lacks the impact of the first book. Sure, there's lots of action throughout. The book was fast paced and hard to put down. But there were too many scenes of people running up and down stairs --a limitation of life in a silo. And some places had pace but little tension.Hemingway said never confuse movement with action. Some scenes consisted mostly of people we hardly knew shooting at each other. Contrast those with the part where Juliette goes underwater to fix the pumps--much less violent, but with far more tension.The writing overall was good, but the editing became sloppier as the story progressed. Book five, which is 35% of the total, seemed to ramble a bit.One final peeve. After reading The Hunger Games, Divergent and now Wool, I'm sensing a trend toward ever increasing gratuitous violence. I'm reminds of the scene in the spoof movie Hot Shots, where a Rambo-like Charlie Sheen is mowing down enemies while a video-arcade counter shows the growing body count. The display finally declares a new record when the count exceeds that of Total Recall. I'm starting to feel that way about the latest crop of dystopian novels.