Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore

I found this via i09's list of best science fiction and fantasy books of 2012, which is funny, because it really isn't either. What it is, though, is a book for people who love science fiction and fantasy and books and technology. It reminds me of William Gibson's recent work, not because it's dystopian (it isn't, not even slightly), but because it's like science fiction set in the present.It's also beautifully written. I don't read "literary fiction". I'm a genre snob. But if this is literary fiction, then I like it. The metaphors and turns of phrase are wonderful. "Feeding hours like dry twigs into the fire," the author writes. He's conscious of language. "Moffat's prose is fine: clear and steady, with just enough sweeping statements about destiny and dragons to keep things well inflated," he says, describing the fictional fantasy novels which play such an important role in the plot, and it could almost be a description of his own writing. He also has semicolons, and he knows how to use them.There's humour that comes from an affectionate, almost loving, way of seeing the absurdity of the world, and from masterfully chosen, mostly technological juxtapositions. "The thinnest tendrils of dawn are creeping in from the east. People in New York are softly starting to tweet." Later, the protagonist's Googler girlfriend buys a New York Times "but couldn't figure out how to operate it".I only spotted a single typo ("left" instead of "loft"), and that level of professionalism is vanishingly rare.So: language, 5 stars. I wish every other book I've read recently was written more like this one.Plot, then. The plot is beautifully woven. Not a Chekhov's gun is left unfired. There are about 20 named characters, and virtually all of them, even most of the minor ones, get to participate in the great wrap-up of the epilogue. It's missing one element of the classic happy ending, but that feels absolutely right, and it's better than a happy ending: it's a beautiful ending. It's a rich, wonderful ending. I've often been disappointed by weak endings to books I've otherwise enjoyed, but this is one of my favourite endings of any book I can think of. Five stars for plot, even if the protagonist's ultimate triumph is built on an unlikely mistake earlier in the book, and even if a couple of the events are also unlikely (like Google allowing a relatively minor project to take all their server time for three seconds).And partway through it turns into a heist novel! I love heist novels.Characters. I liked the main character almost immediately. He's having a somewhat difficult time, but he has perspective and wry humour about it, and he doesn't whine. He's capable of admiring and respecting other people greatly, including intelligent, strong women: "I am really into the kind of girl you can impress with a prototype," he says. His love for his eccentric, elderly mentor is an important part of what drives the plot.The other characters are all quirky without being self-conscious about it, all (seen through the protagonist's eyes) people of skill and worth and, in general, goodwill. I loved every one of them. Five stars and at least three cheers for the characters.Finally, setting. The book takes place in some wonderfully bizarre places: a tall, narrow bookstore full of mysterious volumes, an underground cavern of cultish scholarship, a textile museum, a storage unit for museum artifacts in the dryness of Nevada where motorized shelves move constantly in a stately dance. That last was totally unlikely. Wouldn't you want to keep valuable, rare items still? And yet it the feel of it was just right, much more so than a more realistic, static building would have been.Even the protagonist's apartment gradually fills with his artist roommate's strange and wonderful miniature city.You could say that the setting is the real world, but you'd be wrong. Aldus Manutius existed, but his friend Gerritszoon didn't, and Gerritszoon's font isn't on every electronic device, because it doesn't exist either. Nor, presumably, does the cult of scholars known as the Unbroken Spine. I have no idea whether Google really works the way it's described, but it wouldn't surprise me at all to hear that it doesn't. And there's one very minor mistake that I know is a mistake: what the main character calls "middleware" is not what middleware actually is.No, this setting isn't the real world. It's better. Apart from anything else, it has the epic fantasy novels of Moffat in it.Five stars for the setting as well, making it a perfect 20 for this book. Oh, there are things I've quibbled about, but none of them significantly diminished my enjoyment. I'll be looking for more of Robin Sloan's books. I hope they're like this one.

What a blast! I'm still on a high, having finished the book just moments ago. Ordinarily, "a blast" is a descriptor that I reserve for parties, concerts and snowboarding trips; in the case of "Mr. Penumbra.." it is quite apt for a book. Full disclosure: this book has been on my to-read list since it came out in 2012. Just a month or two ago, I discovered that the author is a graduate of my high school (and college) so I dove in. The fact that a vapid, sterile, soulless suburb could produce such a talent may be the most amazing part of the story.It is difficult to describe the book without creating spoilers so try to imagine the labrynthine plot of "Da Vinci Code," only smart. Where Dan Brown appears to be casting nets in all directions with no real sense of discipline or purpose, Robin Sloane is neat and concise. Everything makes beautiful, elegant sense. In a nutshell, the protagonist, Clay, a late gen-X-er/early millennial finds himself in San Francisco unemployed due to the big bubble pop of the late 'aughts and wanders into a small, strange bookstore that is open 24/7. He wanders out with a job as night clerk and soon discovers "something strange is afoot at Mr. Penumbra's"--I like to think this line is an homage to "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure." Mr. Sloane manages to tie in knowledge of design (both Modern and Renaissance), pre-pubescent fantasy novel series, the Silicon Valley tech industry and social psychology almost seamlessly.The story is by turns slow and can't-put-it-down, which is probably by design. Most readers need a little breathing time between adrenaline rushes. The reason for the four stars instead of five is that Sloane's prose is not quite there yet--a little sophomoric? pedantic? Maybe even cheesy? Kind of like the guy who tries too hard to be funny and ends up falling flat. Just doesn't quite come off right. The epilogue reminded me of the end of a Whit Stillman movie. Almost cringe-inducingly neat. These are minor points. Still highly recommend.Overall, a great summer read in the tradition of "Gone Girl" or a Richard Preston medical thriller: smart, fun, thought-provoking.

This is one of the best books I’ve read…. I was going to say all year, but it’s 2nd January, so that’s not great - but definitely in the last few years…. It’s sharp and blends the worlds of books and museums with super-sharp tech that has aged remarkably well given that it’s a decade old. The language is a delight and Clay is an utterly engaging central character. It’s strangely thrilling and cosy and engaging all at once. I loved it and have just bought everything else the author has written - and am sad there’s not more…

Amazing twists and turns keep you oscillating between t-books and ebooks ..a must read.... the relevance of book as a friend is revisited and re-assured... Congratulations..!

Lo compré para clase de inglés de la escuela oficial de idiomas. Más rápido y barato que en una papelería.

Clever,, witty, deft and convincing. I am probably older thanPenumbra and I grok hot metal, but I have aldo, sorry, also served at the altar of IT. I am everything and every one on this book.

MR PENUMBRA'S 24 HOUR BOOKSTOREThis was an enjoyable quick read. I combined my kindle edition with the audio version that made me chuckle from time to time. It was witty, quirky, geeky and frankly right up my alley.On the surface this is the story of Clay Jannon who recently lost his job as a webdesigner / marketeer and now is a sales clerk at Mr. Penumbra's 24 hour bookstore. It doesn't take Clay long to discover that there is something going on with the store its owner, its customers and its books. And since Clay works the not-so-busy nightshift there is not much left for him to do, but to get to the bottom of all of this.When you delve deeper into the tale of Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. It combines elements of fantasy, mystery, friendship and adventure as a way of looking at the modern conflict and transition between new technology (electronic) and old (print books). So if you dig epic fantasy books, are fascinated by coding and decoding stuff on the web, are fond of typography and are the least bit tech savvy ... or better yet very very tech savvy ... this Ready-Player-One-ish read has your name written all over it.It was 3.5 out of 5 stars for meP.S. Did you know that the yellow books on the dust jacket actually glow in the dark ?! Guess I'll be getting my hardcopy pretty soon. 😜#RobinSloan #mrpenumbras24hourbookstore #bibliophile #Books #Reader #Booknerd #Bookstagram