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Wool #1-5 - by Hugh Howey
Howey feels like a man with a good idea, which he has tried to stretch into an overly long novel.
The short part.1 of 56 pages in length was a very effective and poignant piece, with enjoy post
apocalyptic future, science, and pathos to really engage the reader and end when it should.
The rest of the book, well, feels a little strained. I read it quickly, but more out of a desire
to see if he would get to any sort of point or innovation, rather than the quality of story. I suppose that
speaks well to his writing style, that it at least is able to flow by well, but I was left wanting for more.
Where we were at the start of the book, and where we get to at the end, definitely feel like two stories that sort
of met in the middle someplace. The suspension of disbelief needed to keep out of any number of rabbit holes leading
towards ways the silo citizens could have learned more, accidentally, about their peculiar situation, will give you
a crap if you think too hard about it all.
All told, though, and with all my complaints, there is something oddly compelling about this tale. I think the format and
the idea is something that appeals to me immediately, as the whole survivor of post apocalyptic scenario plot is one
of my favorites. The movie has already been optioned, by Ridley Scott no less, for a movie of some sort, and
there is a rabid and vocal fanbase, who have even created a wiki about the world Howey has created! In spite of
the 500 page length of the omnibus of the first 5 stories, I would have wished for more 'hard sci fi' elements, talking
about the ways this world works. I think that is, however, where both the concepts and Howey's comfort level break down
so we are left to take things as they are and enjoy them for what they are worth.
A fast and mostly enjoyable read, and I suppose a nice modern take on an old scenario. Also held up as
the shining example of success from self-publishing, and likely to encourage hoards more writers to do the same. Who
knows - out of those millions of words will probably arise the next big story!
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