Wool, by Hugh Howey

Rating: 5/5
56 pages
2011
Publisher: Broad Reach
Source: Amazon.com

Description: They live beneath the earth in a prison of their own making. There is a view of the outside world, a spoiled and rotten world, their forefathers left behind. But this view fades over time, ruined by the toxic airs that kill any who brave them.

So they leave it to the criminals, those who break the rules, and who are sent to cleaning. Why do they do it, these people condemned to death? Sheriff Holston has always wondered. Now he is about to find out. (from Goodreads)

Review: This is the short story that became part one of what is now a three book series.

Its a really good short story. It's well paced and reveals just enough, at just the right time, to keep the reader guessing before an nicely done reveal.

After finishing it, I completely understand why people wanted to read more by the author, I'm just flummoxed as to why they wanted to read more in this particular setting. It really doesn't seem to have anywhere to grow from this set up. 

The remaining characters, who we really don't meet have two choices really, try to continue to exist in a place that needs to have fairly rigid and draconian rules in order for anyone to survive, or decide that what they know about the outside world is a lie and take their chances outside. Neither really seems that potentially interesting to me.

In short, I loved the story, and look forward to checking out the author's work when he moves on to something else.