Wool is the first of the written works within the Silo series. It was released on July 29, 2011 and written by Hugh Howey.
Synopsis[edit | edit source]
Thousands of them have lived underground. They've lived there so long, there are only legends about people living anywhere else. Such a life requires rules. Strict rules. There are things that must not be discussed. Like going outside. Never mention you might like going outside.
Plot Summary[edit | edit source]
The first of the written works opens with Holston climbing the stairs of the Silo; he admires the Silo for what it is, but realises that it was never meant to serve the purpose that it has for the hundreds of years that it has been standing. Whilst he ponders this, he reaches the top of the Silo, entering the cafeteria, where his wife three years ago had uttered that she wished to go outside. Entering the Sheriff's office, Holston tells his deputy, Marnes, to join him in the holding cell. As the two enter the holding cell, Holston goes inside and tells Marnes to fetch the Mayor as he wants to go outside.
Once the Mayor, Jahns, arrives, she talks with Holston about sometimes coming up to the holding cell at night to admire the view. Holston, however, does little to engage in the conversation with the Mayor and instead thinks about his wife and how she must have been feeling three years prior when she asked to go outside. The Mayor tries to convince Holston to have his last meal, his time to go outside is fast approaching, but he is reluctant, and instead thinks about what will happen as he goes outside. The Mayor recounts how no other person has sent as many people out to clean as she has—at least, this is what they can infer from the records that did survive the uprising.