Customer Reviews

Mr. Penumbra's Twenty-Four-Hour Book Store

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

From the first sentence of this story I was hooked as it has an allure that grabs and holds your attention. While it is not my practice to tell the story in my review, I believe telling it takes place in a bookstore that feels otherworldly, the customers exhibit highly irregular behavior, and the mystery that is laced throughout weaves a very short story into a very big tale is pertinent without giving the story line away.

As with any good story it left me wanting more and should this author ever decide to make this a full length book you can count on me to be among the first to purchase it.

Well Done.

This is indeed a short story at only 313 Kindle locations. It probably took me under a half hour to read it. Although it was short, it was a good story, it really gives you something to think about.

It was 6 am. I was sitting over coffee listening to a raga...and then I stopped by the 24-hour bookstore. Go on in. I am sure you will love it.

This story filled me with delight. (Disclosure: The author is my friend and co-blogger.) It's the type of thought-provoking mental chocolate I wish I could consume at least once a day, but these episodes of spontaneous fiction don't emerge from Robin's brain quickly enough to feed my habit.

One thing you should know: this tale is absolutely meant to be read on the Kindle. Mr. Penumbra's Twenty-Four Hour Book Store is not Whispernet, but the story plumbs the analogy between them with more humor and subtlety than I've read in any essay or article on what Amazon represents.

Here's the best part. Even if you have no interest in the postmodern stuff, you'll love this story on the strength of the writing alone. Tightly wound mystery/fantasy plot. Wonderful characters given just enough flesh to leave your imagination room to play. An unbroken string of sentences that charm. And it's drink-snortingly funny.

If I had to liken it to any work in any medium, it would be Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. Take that for what it's worth. Just get the thing. Even if you don't have a Kindle, Google the title and download another version. Just get it.

I enjoyed Robin Sloan's short story immensely. This story was as well-written as one could hope for. It pulled me right in until I finished it. I certainly hope Sloan will be writing more for us soon!

Length:: 1:16 Mins

I can't say enough about this short story. Just wonderful!

I absolutely loved this little read!! I won't go into the story line - there are other reviews that do that. I loved the visualization and the thoughts the story provoked. It leaves one wondering where the world is headed and what we've left behind, but it offers hope as well. Please give us more, Mr. Sloan!!!