Mr. Penumbra's Twenty-Four-Hour Book Store (Kindle Edition)

by Robin Sloan (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

ALERT! I'm writing a book, and you can pitch in >> http://bit.ly/robinbook

== Description ==

This is a modern fairy tale. It's a 6,000-word short story about finding a job, having a weird boss, and meeting someone you like. But behind it all, there's a mystery:

What is the secret of Mr. Penumbra's Twenty-Four-Hour Book Store?

This is also a story about books, writing, and technology. So, if you're someone who's interested in the Kindle itself--if you're interested in what it suggests about the future--then you'll probably find something to enjoy here.

== About the author ==

Robin Sloan grew up in Michigan and now splits his time between San Francisco and the internet. You can learn more, and keep in touch, at robinsloan.com.

Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 97 KB
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: robinsloan.com; 1.0 edition (June 7, 2009)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B002CGRC0G
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,551 in Kindle Store (See Bestsellers in Kindle Store)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #23 in	Kindle Store > Kindle Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Thrillers > Technothrillers
  #40 in	Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Thrillers > Technothrillers
  #41 in	Kindle Store > Kindle Books > Fiction > Short Stories

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A mysterious 24-hour bookstore, a fantastic 24-minute read, June 11, 2009

By	CS - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

I just finished reading "Mr. Penumbra's Twenty-Four-Hour Book Store" in one sitting.

I LOVED IT!

The subtitle - "a short story about recession, attraction, and data visualization" - may seem somewhat intimidating. Thankfully, though, "Mr. Penumbra" is a very accessible and enjoyable read.

More importantly, it's incredibly original - both in its ideas and prose.

There's definitely a lot here that speaks to us as Kindle users.

By the way, I was really impressed by the cover art (in the Kindle book itself) and the one drawing featured in the text. Basic stuff, yes, but very stylish and well-done. Pictures sometimes look awful on the Kindle in "big name" books, so it was nice to see such a polished presentation here.

I highly recommend giving "Mr. Penumbra" a download. You absolutely can't go wrong at this price - or at any price.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful, June 15, 2009

By	A. Mcleran - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This story strikes the perfect balance between provoking thought and being entertaining.

This piece demonstrates that it's possible to write indy-pop literature. Light and fun, yet profound and filled with mystery and meaning -- not to mention lusty, nerd chic romance.

I hope this is merely a single in an upcoming literary album. Encore!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In a Word, Delightful, June 15, 2009

By	M. Giesecke (TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In my book, 5 stars are reserved for works that you carry around in your mind even when you've finished reading them. This short story qualifies.

"Mr. Penumbra" strikes that elusive balance between conveying a serious idea and entertaining the reader. It is a quick, fun story that can probably be read in a single sitting for most readers. Although none of them get a big introduction, the characters are very real and interesting. The scene descriptions are succinct, but easy to envision. Plus, it is a story that asks a serious question for our time but doesn't attempt to answer it with a trite generalization.

If you love to read, whether your chosen medium is physical books, ebooks, the internet, or a combination of these, I think your soul will resonate with this delightful modern-day fable.