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Wool

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2011

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Book Brief

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Hugh Howey

Wool

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2011
Book Details
Pages

528

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Underground Silo • Future

Theme
Publication Year

2011

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Wool by Hugh Howey is a post-apocalyptic science fiction novel set in a 144-floor underground silo where survivors live after Earth’s surface becomes toxic. The story follows Sheriff Holston, who goes outside to clean the cameras showing the outside world, and Juliette, a mechanic turned sheriff, who uncovers harsh truths about the silo's reality and works to expose and change it. The novel includes themes of grief, loss, and dystopian control.

Mysterious

Gritty

Suspenseful

Dark

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

4.2

224,398 ratings

83%

Loved it

13%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Wool by Hugh Howey captivates with its well-developed dystopian setting and complex characters. The narrative's suspenseful pacing keeps readers engaged, though some may find certain plot elements predictable. Overall, it offers a compelling mix of tension and intrigue, albeit with occasional lulls in momentum.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Wool?

Fans of dystopian fiction will be captivated by Hugh Howey's Wool. Readers who enjoyed The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins or 1984 by George Orwell will appreciate the tension, intricate world-building, and exploration of societal norms. Ideal for those who relish survival tales and complex character dynamics.

4.2

224,398 ratings

83%

Loved it

13%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Character List

Juliette Nichols

Juliette is the heroine of *Wool*. A 34-year-old skilled mechanic with a strong sense of integrity, she is independent and committed to fixing situations with the right tools and persistence. Her life's experiences drive her to challenge the rules of the silo and eventually take on new roles beyond her initial mechanical work.

Bernard is the head of IT and the antagonist in *Wool*. Focused on preserving order, he adheres to strict hierarchies and rules to maintain the silo's stasis. Despite being unsympathetic, he aims to protect the silo’s inhabitants but struggles with adapting to change.

Lukas is Juliette's love interest and Bernard’s protégé in *Wool*. Caught between conflicting loyalties, he is curious and respects rules, embodying a balance between Juliette’s progressive views and Bernard’s conservative stance.

Marie Jahns is the longtime mayor of the silo in *Wool*. She is a contemplative leader, aware of the fragility of silo life and struggles with balancing her public duties and private reservations.

Holston starts *Wool* as the respected sheriff of the silo. He becomes haunted by the death of his wife and grows increasingly curious about the realities beyond the silo's walls.

Solo, or Jimmy, is believed to be the last survivor of Silo 17 in *Wool*. Isolated for many years, he is naive and struggles with responsibility until Juliette helps him rediscover community and companionship.

Deputy Marnes is the longtime second-in-command in *Wool*. Content with his role, he harbors romantic feelings for Mayor Jahns, which shapes his interactions with others.

Knox is the foreman of Mechanical in *Wool* and initially leads the uprising. Known for his leadership, he struggles with self-doubt as he guides his people against IT.

Walker is a mechanic specializing in electronics in *Wool*. Introverted and reclusive, he feels guilt over his role in the uprising and is cared for by Shirly, reflecting his inability to look after himself.

Peter is Bernard’s chosen replacement for sheriff in *Wool*. Initially aligned with Bernard, he participates in battles against Mechanical and Supply but experiences a shift in loyalty as the story progresses.

Shirly, a mechanic working with Juliette in *Wool*, takes care of Walker during the uprising and shows bravery in fixing the radio, while grappling with the loss of her husband.

McLain is the leader of Supply in *Wool*. Despite her small stature, she is a respected planner and strategist, noted for her efforts to sway the upper-class to join the uprising.

Book Details
Pages

528

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Underground Silo • Future

Theme
Publication Year

2011

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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