SILO TV Series discussion + Book series worth reading?

I'm in the middle of the first book. So far there are plenty of differences to keep me interested and the show only covered about half of the first book. I do like the way the show made everything feel more tense, bit the book goes about things a bit differently.

I read the book series, it was amazing, I couldn't put it down. I found the ending was very satisfying. Hugh Howey said in his Reddit AMA that he would continue the universe after the show has ended, and I can't wait.

I thought the world and the production really great, and the world feels very lived in. Set design was cool and I enjoyed how its shot. Without going into spoilers, I found the central premise very interesting, and the constant question of what's outside the SILO and whos pulling the strings quite an enjoyable thread to pull at. I do think it relied a bit too much on dramatic irony for tension, and think that when reveals are made to characters, they fall a bit flat since often the viewers know ahead of time.

I loved Rashida Jones in the first couple episodes, and found her performance really believable. I initially didn't really like the main character of Juliette Nichols, but thought her characterization really improves with the last 3 episodes of the season.

Looking forward to season 2

I haven't watched the show yet but the books were very good.

The author came out of no where and self published on Amazon. Now he just boats around without a shirt. Occasionally he docks, finds a shirt and signs some books.

(I follow him on Instagram...only exaggerated slightly)

Really enjoyed the tv show, am planning to read the books

Is this based on the wool series? That was a pretty intense read, no idea the show was out.

I'll check it out and report back, thanks!

I just finished this a few days ago and my mind was blown. I plan on reading the books because I don't know if I can wait til another season comes out to see what happens next. With the strikes going on (I stand with them) I bet we don't see a new season until late 2024 at the best.

I have not watched the show, but I have read the books. Kind of simple, young adult. It doesn't ask much of you, and didn't really leave a lasting impression. Great premise though. I also read Sand by Hugh Howey, and can't for the life of me remember any of it, whereas a lot of people seem to really love it, so maybe I am just the odd man out here.

The book are worth reading. I loved reading this series and I will probably be signing up for Apple TV to watch the series when it's finished.

Thanks to the OP for posting this. I was planning to come to make a SiloTV vs Wool compare and contrast discussion post.

I think this really needs a deep dive discussion. Moving and adapting across media necessarily involves major changes. I never expect a one to one correlation, and appreciate that stories have to be told in a different way across media. e.g., Othello opera has fewer characters and less content than the play by Shakespeare it was drawn from - but both are top ranked classics.

Sometimes, as with The Expanse, the television production outstrips a novel series in quality. I was jaw-dropped by the quality of the television series. I had found the Expanse books so derivative of works by CJ Cherryh, and even a Star Trek book series called Vanguard, that I’d DNFd at the second book.

Hugh Howey’s work seems more original than the Expanse (although I it see similarities to the 1970s television series The Starlost, a Harlan Ellison concept). I’m yet to be convinced however that this isn’t another case where the television production outstrips the source material.

I watched the season of Silo and was very positively impressed. It was suspenseful, the production design was excellent and the characters felt rich and three dimensional. There are issues with Jules’ seeming impossible physical resilience, but the characters are three dimensional and the writers adhere to the ‘show, don’t tell’ maxim of good drama.

By contrast, I have just finished reading Wool up to the point where season one ended. As an avid reader of SF, I’m always searching for new books, trilogies and series so I’d been enthusiastically waiting for the end of the streaming season to dive into the books. I’d heard that the original story/novella was YA targeted, but that’s not something I consider an impediment.

I genuinely have to wonder if it would have held my attention had I not already watched Silo.

SPOILER ~~Other than Holstein, the Mayor and Marnes and to some degree Jules herself, everyone is two dimensional.

The story/plot is also thinner. The drama is one of more simple antagonists. IT, Bernard vs the silo residents. Too much is told, not shown. Too much is revealed too soon.

But so much of what made the show so compelling, that gave it such a rich fabric, that painted an indelible image of its society, are new to the show. 250 pages into Wool, we don’t know more than George’s name, that Jules had a clandestine relationship with him and that he died of an apparent suicide. We are told that Jules impressed Marnes sufficiently that he put her forward for sheriff, but not what she did to impress him.

I’m about to carry on with Jules as she keeps going past the hill outside. Still not convinced, I’ll be interested to buy book two~~ .

i read the book and you can tell it was written in pieces. It's far from my favorite sci-fi, but if you're just really craving dystopia I think it's alright.

I said I'd report back.. great season 1, watched it twice. Not watched last episode yet though.