SOLVED. 80's or 90's post apocalyptic sci fi primitive culture of survivors from a nuclear war with several different groups that all have a traditional pilgrimage to see a tower rising from the ground [s]

[Crystal]

I received this book in the mid 90's and it was well used, I cannot remember the title or the author or I wouldn't need to post this, so I'll have to recount details to the best of my abilities. This post will likely ruin the book for anyone who hasn't read it, as the plot and details are all I can remember! I believe the title was something akin to "The Tower/Rod in the Woods/Clearing/Forest". But that could be entirely untrue. It has been about 2 decades, after all.


The book begins with a primitive culture of survivors from a nuclear war with several different groups that all have a traditional pilgrimage to see a tower rising from the ground, I believe some of the people were called runners.

The tower is actually a rod raised by pre-war survivors living in an underground facility that use the rod to test the surface for residual nuclear pollution, they continuously receive false readings due to the the rod being damaged as well as a clearing around the area still being contaminated. They reproduced via cloning/test tube baby stuff, and there were only a handful of them left after part of the facility collapsed, I think the one that did the reproduction was named Bhutto or something similar. There was a younger girl among them that seemed to be mentally challenged/autistic due to a decline in their reproductive capabilities.

At some point they come out of the facility, but they fight with the surface group and have some difficulty adjusting and accepting the new world.

I remember some other things, most of the plot and many of the details, but have searched high and low for this book by many keywords and different sites to no avail. I can provide further details if needed. It was an excellent book and I have been searching off and on for quite some time. Any help would be appreciated.

[Conal]

I believe the book you are looking for is

[Crystal]

Conal wrote: "I believe the book you are looking for is "

My hero! Thank you so very much!!

[Conal]

If you like this book, you should read the whole series.


The Breaking of Northwall
The Ends of the Circle
The Dome in the Forest
The Fall of the Shell
An Ambush of Shadows
The Song of the Axe
The Sword of Forbearance

[Crystal]

I actually had no idea it was part of a series until now!! Ordered, will be here in a few days, can't wait! Thank you again!!