Should You Read The Books Before Silo's Current Season Has Finished?
Reading a book first and watching its adaptation have different upsides.
When Apple TV+ previewed Silo earlier this year, it was clear the show was destined to be a hit. There was a lot of anticipation before its release, and when it did finally come out in May, both audiences and critics loved it.
Silo's got all the ingredients for success: a compelling story and a stellar cast that includes, among others, Rebecca Ferguson, who's appeared in such major films as The Greatest Showman, Dune and the Mission Impossible franchise and Rashida Jones of the Parks & Recreation fame.
Based on Hugh Howey's book series Wool, Silo depicts a dystopian future where the last remnants of humanity are confined to an underground bunker or silo, living in constant fear of the hostile environment on the surface. Enthralled by the premise, some viewers are thinking of delving into the novels the series is based on before Apple TV+ drops the current season's final two episodes. But is it a good idea?
On the one hand, the original books are a great read. Wool is masterfully written and has a ton of details about the world it's set in – something no show can rival. It gives lots of background information and creates a comprehensive picture you can't but enjoy. Besides, moving at a much slower pace, Silo has barely covered half of the first book. However, by taking its time, the Apple TV+ series explores in more depth some of the supporting characters such as George Wilkins, who is but a distant memory in the books, and various rebel characters, introducing the Flamekeepers. Still, if the show's too slow for your taste, the books are your best bet.
On the other hand, by reading Howey's novels, you'll be exposing yourself to a deluge of spoilers that will inevitably compromise the pleasure of watching the story as it unfolds in the series. The Silo writers have put a lot of effort into putting together a compelling narrative with its own twists and turns, and preemptively reading the original might hinder your appreciation of their work. In fact, you might even run the risk of being completely discouraged from continuing with the Apple TV+ adaptation.
While the choice is always yours, we don't recommend you read Hugh Howey's novels until Silo's first season has finished, lest you spoil the mysteries the show has in store. Let the adaptation reveal all these secrets at its own pace, however slow it might be, as it completes its narrative and your journey. After all, it's only some ten days before its conclusion.
Whichever you decide to do, we remind you that the next episode of Silo's season 1 is out on 23 June.