Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore

A Novel

By: Robin Sloan

Narrated by: Ari Fliakos

Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

A gleeful and exhilarating tale of global conspiracy, complex code-breaking, high-tech data visualization, young love, rollicking adventure, and the secret to eternal life - mostly set in a hole-in-the-wall San Francisco bookstore.

The Great Recession has shuffled Clay Jannon out of his life as a San Francisco Web-design drone - and serendipity, sheer curiosity, and the ability to climb a ladder like a monkey has landed him a new gig working the night shift at Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore. But after just a few days on the job, Clay begins to realize that this store is even more curious than the name suggests. There are only a few customers, but they come in repeatedly and never seem to actually buy anything, instead “checking out” impossibly obscure volumes from strange corners of the store, all according to some elaborate, long-standing arrangement with the gnomic Mr. Penumbra. The store must be a front for something larger, Clay concludes, and soon he’s embarked on a complex analysis of the customers’ behavior and roped his friends into helping to figure out just what’s going on. But once they bring their findings to Mr. Penumbra, it turns out the secrets extend far outside the walls of the bookstore.

With irresistible brio and dazzling intelligence, Robin Sloan has crafted a literary adventure story for the 21st century, evoking both the fairy-tale charm of Haruki Murakami and the enthusiastic novel-of-ideas wizardry of Neal Stephenson or a young Umberto Eco, but with a unique and feisty sensibility that’s rare to the world of literary fiction. Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore is exactly what it sounds like: an establishment you have to enter and will never want to leave, a modern-day cabinet of wonders ready to give a jolt of energy to every curious listener, no matter the time of day.

©2012 Robin Sloan (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

Lovable Characters

If you could sum up Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore in three words, what would they be?

quirky, nerdy, fun

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot twisted and turned and just when I thought it was over - a new twist began.

What does Ari Fliakos bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Ari really makes this story come alive. Clay has a great sense of humor and self deprivation and Ari captured that well.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Not just a bookstore!

Any additional comments?

This book had me smiling throughout. Loved the depth of characters and hated for it to end.

READ THIS! Just a GREAT "mystery"

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Very layered and interesting. Great mystery and puzzler.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mr. Penumbra. He is a very layered character and very kind.

What does Ari Fliakos bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He sounds like the young man who doesn't really know his way around the world yet.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The whole mystery/puzzle of the books was great. I would love to be in the book club.

Thoroughly enjoyable

Fantastic narration of an engaging story. A little mystery, a tiny bit of history and bit of technology. Really enjoyed it and would buy another from this author/narrator combo if there were one.

Couldn't have loved this book more!

Robin Sloan has a new fan, this book was clever, different, engaging and impossible to leave alone. My only disappointment is that it's over. I look forward to more titles from Mr Sloan and hope I don't have to wait long.

Mr Fliakos performed the book so perfectly that I want to hear more audios under his narration.

SO good!

I absolutely loved this book! It's unique story captured my intrigue immediately and held it until the very end. I love how nicely and it wrapped up as well. Highly recommend it!

Clever, surprising, fun, human . . . worth it!

After a few recent audio duds, it is refreshing to hear an audio book written by an author who has plenty of brain cells to rub together. Bibliophiles, computer techies, or anyone who relates to today's rapidly changing world will enjoy this. Robin Sloan managed to make me laugh, smile, enjoy surprising twists, and see the present world through observant eyes.

All without descriptions of spurting blood, foul language, and women being reduced to simplistic stereotypes. Even better, I didn't get the feeling the author was copying whatever is hot right now. Like vampires, or monster hunters. With so many original ideas, this author doesn't need to copy the latest formula trend.

Great narration, nicely voiced characters. A quality audio book. Perfect if you are looking for a light-hearted and fun story.

Light, yet NOT

I thought this would be an enjoyable, light read.
And it is, and so much more.
Plus a most excellent ending!
with the perfect narrator...

Wonderful mystery with characters I loved!

I really enjoyed this story! Mystery, humor, and excellent characters all combine to completely engross the reader!

Delightful

I loved everything about this book. Great story, likable characters, and the perfect narrator. I'm telling all my friends about this one.

Exactly the right book at exactly the right time!

I loved almost everything about this book. As a book lover, books holding a central role in the plot, and book lovers as characters--who make witty allusion remarks--was fantastic. Mr.Penumbra's book is a little adventure, and the audio added to the excitement.