What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

I read this book from a small town library in the late eighties or early nineties. It was a fairly short pocketbook, probably YA. There was an underground post-apocalyptic society whose residents would climb a seemingly never-ending ladder up a dark shaft as a rite of passage (or maybe a contest?) and the protagonist (male, late teens probably) is the first to ever reach the surface and sees the sky/sun etc.

It was a days-long journey where the people attempting the climb took supplies and gear like they were going up Everest. I vaguely remember mention of a hammock-type thing for sleeping attached to the ladder. I think it was more of a low-tech/primitive society rather than robots etc.

I don't remember anything else about the underground setting. I don't think that they thought that the surface was a wasteland, I think they were surprised that it existed at all.

I swear it was titled "The Silo" or similar but I can't find any trace of it. I'd guess it was published in the early 90s but it's possible it was from the 70s.

I think the cover had a field of grass with an open hatch sticking out, maybe with someone climbing out.

This isn't an exact match... THX 1138 by Ben Bova?

Journey Outside?

The City Under Ground?

Juels wrote: "This isn't an exact match... THX 1138 by Ben Bova?"

I don't think so, although I should read that. Thanks!

Rainbowheart wrote: "Journey Outside?

The City Under Ground?"

I don't think so, but TCUG sounds interesting!

I'll keep looking!

I noticed your profile says you're in Canada. Is that where you read this book?

Rainbowheart wrote: "I'll keep looking!

I noticed your profile says you're in Canada. Is that where you read this book?"

Yes, I'm Canadian and read it here. I don't think it was a Canadian book but you never know.

Children of Morrow and its sequel, Treasures of Morrow, by Helen Mary Hoover had a post-apocalyptic group living in a silo, but nothing else matches.

I tried plugging these into LibraryThing, but didn't get any similar suggestions.

Everything on this list is apparently ruled out.
Underground/dome to outside - children's/YA science fiction/fantasy
https://www.librarything.com/list/588...

Do you remember if the main character was male or female?

Approximate age?

Rainbowheart wrote: "Do you remember if the main character was male or female?

Approximate age?"

Hi, I believe they were male, not sure about age but likely late teens.

Does anything on the Underground Cities list look familiar?

Rainbowheart wrote: "Does anything on the Underground Cities list look familiar?"

Thanks for the link, but I don't see anything that fits.

I'll see what else I can find!

Did you definitely read it before 1995?

Rainbowheart wrote: "I'll see what else I can find!

Did you definitely read it before 1995?"

Maybe 1996 at the absolute latest (I moved away in '97), but I'd be surprised.

Duende Meadow maybe?

Ayshe wrote: "Duende Meadow maybe?"

That's it! 100% no question. I forgot about the energy-ghost part. Thank you so much!

Oh, awesome, glad it's solved.

Good find, Ayshe!