Hoping Beanies might be able to help me uncover a mystery book title/author:

2
12

    A patron sent me the following question: “In 1959 my teacher discussed a book in which elderly people were systematicly killed ‘visiting’ the purple surface. Do you know the author and the name of that book?”

    The patron couldn’t give me any other information. I have been trying different online resources, but haven’t come up with anything. Does this plot sound vaguely familiar to anyone?

    0
    4

      An Agatha Christie detective story maybe? I have no idea about the “purple surface” though. Maybe the patron can rephrase what they mean by it… surface of what?

      0
      2

        Unfortunately, that’s the only information the patron could provide. He didn’t remember anything else. I couldn’t come up with anything re: the purple surface.

        0
        0

        I also got more Science fiction vibes for some reason.

        0
        0

      Was it a kids books or an adult book?

      0
      1

      This sounds very much like Asimov science fiction where the surface of the earth or any planet is unlivable due to any condition from radioactivity to low oxygen or high radiation, and people live under the ground. Though I don’t remember any of his books dealing with killing elderly people. Maybe another author with a similar style.

      1
      1

      This actually sounds super familiar but I can’t think why (probably because I went through a phase of too much dystopian sci fi). My guess would be something in the vein of Aldous Huxley, Arthur C Clarke, Isaac Asimov. I’ll keep thinking.

      1
      1