I'm going underground...

September 7, 2009 7:48 AM

It's time for another round of 'name that childhood story'! Please help me identify a novel about a society that (literally) lived underground...

From what I remember, it was a sort of futuristic/sci-fi story. Humans lived underground and believed that they couldn't go up above the earth's surface or something terrible would happen. Eventually, one boy decided to go and gathered a group that was willing to leave with him. They were warned that they couldn't return once they left, but they still went. It may have ended with them standing in a field? I've been wondering what this book was for years, so I hope this rings a bell for someone!

posted by ghost dance beat to grab bag (7 comments total)

DuPrau's City of Ember has a similar premise; Gregor Overlander by Suzanne Collins is an underground Alice in Wonderland type story. I doubt if these are the ones you're remembering from years ago, but you might enjoy them.
posted by woodway at 7:55 AM on September 7

Was it Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere?
posted by coppermoss at 7:56 AM on September 7

In This Time of Darkness?
posted by Lazlo Hollyfeld at 8:13 AM on September 7

This Time of Darkness by H. M. Hoover.
City Under Ground by Martel (set in Canada)
posted by saucysault at 8:17 AM on September 7

Dark Universe?

See also this previous AskMe
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 8:18 AM on September 7

Wow, thanks for the quick responses everyone! I shouldn't be surprised that this has been asked before. I think saucysault may have it with City Under Ground, although I'll also check out This Time of Darkness and Dark Universe. My memory is very hazy so I'll have to read them to see which one it is. Thank you all for your help!
posted by ghost dance beat at 8:32 AM on September 7

After some reading I think I can safely say that it's neither City Under Ground or This Time of Darkness...the hunt continues!
posted by ghost dance beat at 1:06 PM on October 2