SOLVED. SciFi book-boy climbs mountain and opens hatch in sky discovering he is on a multilevel spaceship carrying a colony to the stars. [s]

[Arthur]

Sometime in the 1940s or 1950s I read a scifi book about a young boy/man who lived in a farming world and became curious about some strange things. He climbs a mountain and discovers that the "sky" is actually a ceiling and has a hatch in it. He opens the hatch and enters another level/world and begins exploring - eventually realizing that there are many layers/worlds. He finally reaches the outer layer and sees the stars. He figures out that the ship is carrying a large colony of people who have forgotten what is happening. He encounters a few individuals who do know what is happening but need help because the ship is about to arrive at its destination and the mission will fail unless they regain control and prepare the passengers to leave the ship. The title did not have "space" or "ship" or other similar words that let you know it was a story about an interstellar generational colony ship ... you only discover that when the young man discovers it. I don't think the author was one of the major authors.

Anybody know the name of this book?

[Kris]

Arthur, I moved your request to the Unsolved folder because you're looking for a specific book.

Please add plot details to your topic header using the edit link on the desktop website (not mobile app). Someone is more likely to recognize your book. Just ask if you'd like help with this.

[Stephen]

Possibly Non-Stop by Brian Aldiss -- which was also published as "Starship" by publishers who think their readers don't like surprises, I guess. Arguing against it is that I don't remember the characters climibing a mountain, and the author is certainly a major one.

Another possibility is Harry Harrison's Captive Universe, which has mountains but was published in 1969 and is also by a major author.

[Sarah]

Could it be Orphans of the Sky? It is a major author, but sounds similar.

[Sarah]

You could also possibly find it here:
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php...

[Arthur]

Stephen wrote: "Possibly Non-Stop by Brian Aldiss -- which was also published as "Starship" by publishers who think their readers don't like surprises, I guess. Arguing against it is that I don't rem..."
The plot of "Non-Stop" is much different. My book didn't have Aztecs, so "Captive Universe" doesn't seem to work either. Thanks!

[Arthur]

Sarah wrote: "Could it be Orphans of the Sky? It is a major author, but sounds similar."
This one comes closest, but I don't remember mutants. I'll get a copy and check it out. I was sure it was not by a major author and did not have the usual words that give away that it's a sci-fi book, but it was long ago and my memory may have become quirky. Thanks!

[Arthur]

Sarah wrote: "You could also possibly find it here:
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php..."
I checked here already and nothing seemed to fit. Thanks!

[Arthur]

Kris wrote: "Arthur, I moved your request to the Unsolved folder because you're looking for a specific book.

Please add plot details to your topic header using the edit link on the desktop website (not mobile ..."
Thanks ... I followed your suggestions.

[Sarah]

There's also The Star Seekers - the main character goes to the agricultural part of the world through climbing up a hatch?

[Arthur]

Sarah wrote: "There's also The Star Seekers - the main character goes to the agricultural part of the world through climbing up a hatch?"
That's IT!!!! I ordered a copy to check it out and this is definitely the one. Reading it now. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!