Silo
Silo (the book series) was published around 2011. Hugh Howey started with “Wool” and was followed by “Shift” and “Dust”. From the book’s description: “The remnants of humanity live underground in a vast silo. In this subterranean world, rules matter. Rules keep people alive. And no rule is more strictly enforced than to never speak of going outside. The punishment is exile and death. When the sheriff of the silo commits the ultimate sin, the most unlikely of heroes takes his place. Juliette, a mechanic from the down deep, who never met a machine she couldn’t fix nor a rule she wouldn’t break. What happens when a world built on rules is handed over to someone who sees no need for them? And what happens when a world broken to its core comes up against someone who won’t stop until things are set to right? Their world is about to fall. What – and who – will rise?”
ChatGPT: “The series starts with “Wool”, which is a collection of five short stories. The first short story was self-published by Howey in 2011. It’s set in a post-apocalyptic future where the last remnants of humanity live in a giant underground silo, with strict rules and regulations about discussing the outside world. “Shift” is the prequel to “Wool” and explains the circumstances that led to the creation of the silo. It was first published in three parts from 2012 to 2013. “Dust” is the final book in the trilogy, providing a conclusion to the series. It was published in 2013. This series has been lauded for its rich world-building, complex characters, and engaging plot, and has been a prominent example of the success an author can achieve through self-publishing.”
Wikipedia adds: “The story of Wool takes place on a post-apocalyptic Earth. Humanity clings to survival in the Silo, a subterranean city extending 144 stories beneath the surface. The series initially follows the character of Holston, the sheriff of the Silo, with subsequent volumes focusing on the characters of Juliette, Jahns, and Marnes. An ongoing storyline of the series focuses on the mystery behind the Silo and its secrets. Shift encompasses books six through eight and comprises a prequel to the series. Book nine, Dust, pulls the storylines together. Several studies frame the story within the dystopian genre since Howey includes several of the main features of that type of literature, i.e., a totalitarian rule, a rebellion of the main characters, or a planned separation between human areas and wild natural spaces.”
Bard on how worldbuilding is done in Silo: “Worldbuilding is the process of creating a fictional world. It involves creating a backstory, a geography, a history, and a culture. Worldbuilding is an important part of any fictional story, but it is especially important in science fiction and fantasy stories. The Silo series by Hugh Howey is a great example of how worldbuilding can be used to create a compelling and believable story.” More from Bard:
- The silos: The silos are a central part of the story. They are the setting for most of the action, and they play a major role in the plot. The silos are also a symbol of the isolation and claustrophobia that the humans face.
- The outside world: The outside world is a mystery. The humans know very little about it, and they are afraid of it. This mystery adds to the suspense of the story and it also helps to create a sense of hopelessness.
- The history: The history of the silos is slowly revealed throughout the series. This history helps to explain the current situation of the humans and it also helps to create a sense of tragedy.
- The culture: The culture of the silos is very different from the culture of the outside world. This difference helps to create a sense of alienation and it also helps to explain the problems that the humans face.
Apple’s TV series brings this world alive.
