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Original poster

Please help me remember this YA book from the 90s

113 replies

ZimZamZoom · 19/05/2022 10:27

I have been trying to remember/find this book on and off for about ten years.

When I was at middle school (mid 90s) I read a book about a community of people who lived in secret tunnels in and around the London Underground. I think it began with a teenager running away from home and ending up joining this secret underground community. I cannot remember anything else about the plot though.

I suppose there is a chance it was written/published earlier than the 90s.

I would dearly love to rediscover this book.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

OP posts:
repeatplease · 24/05/2022 14:57

Could it be Rachel Anderson's The Survivors Tale?

IdiotCreatures · 22/05/2022 18:37

Have found this Wikipedia article might help narrow it down:
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_London_Underground%E2%80%93related_fiction

meatballmarinara · 22/05/2022 17:57

@ZimZamZoom hmm this is true. This is very bizarre, I definitely remember this. Why is it so hard to figure out?

Original poster
ZimZamZoom · 22/05/2022 15:56

JennyForeigner · 22/05/2022 10:07

I was thinking it's either China Mieville or Neil Gaiman, but then realised I was conflating Un Lun Dun with something Gaiman-ish specifically about the underground.

Un Lun Dun is more of a general mirror world but a lot of it is about climbing through tunnels. A contender?

Sorry no, I read it in the mid-90s, so Un Lun Dun is too late. Thank you though.

OP posts:
Original poster
ZimZamZoom · 22/05/2022 15:55

meatballmarinara · 22/05/2022 09:57

This really rings bells with me too. Was it definitely a book and not a tv series or film?

I definitely read this in a book. That's not to say it wasn't made into a TV show at a later date. Although, I doubt it, because I feel like that would've made it easier to find online, maybe?

OP posts:
Original poster
ZimZamZoom · 22/05/2022 15:54

mummymummymummummum · 22/05/2022 07:22

I've had a look on my local library catalogues, but no joy finding that one.

Thanks. I'll try my local libraries this week.

OP posts:
JennyForeigner · 22/05/2022 10:07

I was thinking it's either China Mieville or Neil Gaiman, but then realised I was conflating Un Lun Dun with something Gaiman-ish specifically about the underground.

Un Lun Dun is more of a general mirror world but a lot of it is about climbing through tunnels. A contender?

meatballmarinara · 22/05/2022 09:57

This really rings bells with me too. Was it definitely a book and not a tv series or film?

mummymummymummummum · 22/05/2022 07:22

I've had a look on my local library catalogues, but no joy finding that one.

Original poster
ZimZamZoom · 22/05/2022 06:34

ZimZamZoom · 22/05/2022 06:34

None! I've been traveling Goodreads and have added a lot to my 'want to read' list.
There's one booked called Home Street Home that looks possible, but I can't find a copy to buy/download anywhere. The blurb looks promising but I can't be sure without reading the first few chapters isywim.

Show quote history

*trawling (not traveling)

OP posts:
Original poster
ZimZamZoom · 22/05/2022 06:34

ThirtyCharacterUsernamesOnly30 · 21/05/2022 23:51

Any luck yet?

None! I've been traveling Goodreads and have added a lot to my 'want to read' list.
There's one booked called Home Street Home that looks possible, but I can't find a copy to buy/download anywhere. The blurb looks promising but I can't be sure without reading the first few chapters isywim.

OP posts:
ThirtyCharacterUsernamesOnly30 · 21/05/2022 23:51

Any luck yet?

Neilsfavouritechilli · 20/05/2022 20:31

Aw, I'm so sorry it wasn't your book OP.

Original poster
ZimZamZoom · 20/05/2022 19:58

ThirtyCharacterUsernamesOnly30 · 20/05/2022 19:42

The station with no name

I think it was a short story in a Point Horror book.

I had completely forgotten about Point Horror books! That's me off down a nostalgic rabbit hole.

But no, it wasn't one of those. Thank you :)

OP posts:
ThirtyCharacterUsernamesOnly30 · 20/05/2022 19:42

The station with no name

I think it was a short story in a Point Horror book.

Original poster
ZimZamZoom · 20/05/2022 17:30

I'm glad your one has been found @Neilsfavouritechilli 😀

OP posts:
Original poster
ZimZamZoom · 20/05/2022 17:29

Sorry to disappoint. The boy in "my" story was definitely alone to start with. I recall him sleeping in a shop doorway. Someone approaching him to either threaten him or move him on. He runs away. Only place to go is the underground, where he finds a community of homeless people living in the unused tunnels.
He may have met a girl along the way but he definitely starts out alone.

I have downloaded a sample the Peter Beere one, almost in desperation but it doesn't seem to fit still.

🤔

OP posts:
Neilsfavouritechilli · 20/05/2022 16:46

Thats the one I'm thinking of.

NatriumChloride · 20/05/2022 16:42

I’m now waiting for the OP to come back and confirm! Bizarrely invested in this thread!

Neilsfavouritechilli · 20/05/2022 16:12

I thought it was a boy but I did think there was a girl there too, possibly showing him the ropes. The cover shows two people plus the baddy. I think this is the one I remember even if it's not the same one as the OP's.

mummymummymummummum · 20/05/2022 16:08

Could be. Very little info online about that one. I wasn't 100% whether the main character was a boy or girl. I'd need to read it. Might get the Kindle edition later 😁

Also... a trilogy 🙌🏻

CupidStunt22 · 20/05/2022 15:43

Neilsfavouritechilli · 20/05/2022 15:37

I might have it!!! Underworld Part 1 by Peter Beere. The cover rings a bell.

This might be it...

Neilsfavouritechilli · 20/05/2022 15:37

I might have it!!! Underworld Part 1 by Peter Beere. The cover rings a bell.

Scabbyknackers · 20/05/2022 12:03

No help sorry but following out of interest as it rings a bell. I've been trying to get back into reading after some neuro meds and long covid have destroyed my concentration and YA seems to be a really good way back in! Its definitely not this book but you might enjoy the Runaways by Ruth Thomas.