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Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore #0.5
Ajax Penumbra: 1969
August 1969 San Francisco. Ajax Penumbra seeks a book--the single surviving copy of the Techne Tycheon, a mysterious volume that has brought and lost great fortune for anyone who has owned it. Late one night, after another day of dispiriting dead ends, he stumbles across a 24-hour bookstore, and the possibilities before him expand exponentially.
70 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 2, 2012
263 people are currently reading
14052 people want to read
About the author
Robin Sloan
33 books30.6k followersRobin Sloan is the author of the novels Sourdough, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, and Moonbound, all published in the U.S. by MCD. He grew up in Michigan and now splits his time between the San Francisco Bay Area and the San Joaquin Valley of California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,318 reviews
August 9, 2020
this was fine. maybe if i had read it closer to when i read the book itself, i would have appreciated it more. it's cute, but i hadn't felt any real urgency to gain readerly access to brief origin story-episodes in the life of young penumbra, so this didn't answer any big burning questions or make me cry "thank goodness i know that now!"
i would gladly read a full-length prequel or sequel, and maybe this was just testing the waters - putting out e-feelers to see if there would be interest in continuation stories involving penumbra, and i'm sure there would be, but it's just a little tease. fun, but just extra fun, not seminal fun.
if you are a san francisco person, you will enjoy all the clever little references and jokes - some of which i caught, many of which i'm sure i missed, having never been invited to san francisco.
write me a biggun, sloan, and then i will be more on board. biggun!!
come to my blog!
i would gladly read a full-length prequel or sequel, and maybe this was just testing the waters - putting out e-feelers to see if there would be interest in continuation stories involving penumbra, and i'm sure there would be, but it's just a little tease. fun, but just extra fun, not seminal fun.
if you are a san francisco person, you will enjoy all the clever little references and jokes - some of which i caught, many of which i'm sure i missed, having never been invited to san francisco.
write me a biggun, sloan, and then i will be more on board. biggun!!
come to my blog!
December 4, 2013
I loved Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, so when I saw this I just had to have it! It tells some of the back story behind Mr. Penumbra and how he came to end up in San Francisco. The only bad thing about it is that it's far too short! I'm ready for a full-length addition to the story of Mo and his mysterious band of cipher-breakers!
October 4, 2023
ی فانتزی کم حجم، در ادامه ی کتاب آقای پنامبرای پر رمز و راز کتابفروشی ۲۴ ساعته که در ایام جوانی و روزگار " آیاس" بودن، راهی سفری میشه و به کشف راز ی کتابفروشی خیلی قدیمی گم شده و قصه ش میرسه....🤗
December 29, 2021
Having read 'Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore' quite some time ago, this novella acts as the back story for its main character. Given the year, the story takes place shortly after the famous SF 'Summer of Love' complete with its coffee houses, oddballs and independent bookstores. Once Ajax becomes aware of the Techeon, a Nostradamus sort of book, he learns it had been stowed in an ocean going library that sunk in SF Bay. Sent to search for it by his employer, he sets out for the City by the Bay. Having a computer wiz friend in the area is not only comforting but just what the doctor ordered!
It's fun, light hearted and well paced, and fills in the gaps left from the original. Since I've called the Bay area home for years, I always enjoy stories from the 'good 'ol days' even if I wasn't here to experience them. If you read Sloan's novel, I'd recommend you add this one to your list.
It's fun, light hearted and well paced, and fills in the gaps left from the original. Since I've called the Bay area home for years, I always enjoy stories from the 'good 'ol days' even if I wasn't here to experience them. If you read Sloan's novel, I'd recommend you add this one to your list.
May 26, 2014
I didn't know this was a thing. I received a second copy of the wonderful Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore as part if the Nervous Breakdown's Book Club and was a little disappointed until I found this slim little volume included as part of the selection. It turns out it was also signed by the author.
I sat down this morning and read this little prequel in about an hour, and I was immediately drawn back into the world of Penumbra. It was a lot of fun and brought to mind how much fun I had reading the big book. It would be great to read more from Sloan involving this bookstore however if he moves on to something else, I'll gladly follow.
I sat down this morning and read this little prequel in about an hour, and I was immediately drawn back into the world of Penumbra. It was a lot of fun and brought to mind how much fun I had reading the big book. It would be great to read more from Sloan involving this bookstore however if he moves on to something else, I'll gladly follow.
October 1, 2020
It's funny how we decide what's important to us. I had resigned myself to the idea that maybe it would be okay if I don't meet my personal goal of reading 5 owned books each month (two physical, two ebook, plus one more of either category).
Only to get about halfway through my work day and decide NO I MUST MEET THIS GOAL. And I'd forgotten I'd put this on my Kindle home screen for consideration and it's short, so here we are!
As you can see by my rating, it worked out for me! It reminded me of why I loved Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore so much. It even had the technology love in there!
Anyway, a lovely, lovely way to accomplish my apparently super-important monthly goal.
Owned ebook 3/2 for the month
Overall owned book 5/5 for the month
Only to get about halfway through my work day and decide NO I MUST MEET THIS GOAL. And I'd forgotten I'd put this on my Kindle home screen for consideration and it's short, so here we are!
As you can see by my rating, it worked out for me! It reminded me of why I loved Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore so much. It even had the technology love in there!
Anyway, a lovely, lovely way to accomplish my apparently super-important monthly goal.
Owned ebook 3/2 for the month
Overall owned book 5/5 for the month
February 27, 2020
It is a blessing to acquaint books that we immediately love as all-time favourites. It was very special to experience this phenomenon recently, on August 22, 2016 in my adulthood. I sped through the “Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore” quest in one day. I waited three years to indulge in the prequel by the very talented Robin Sloan. The closing of the year 2019 was unfortunately, nearing the conclusion of my dear Mother’s life. It was a heart-wrenching time, with the need to be soothed by finally opening my “Ajax Penumbra 1969” hardcover. When I could relax with it; I was as transfixed and elated with this mysterious, non-crime mystery, as with the début adventure.
I am a fan with a unique perspective on why these novels are exceptional. They make astute observations, that original archives and technological gadgets both have a place in recording and enriching our lives. On top of this, wonderful quests are built. Please look to me for questions or information. I am perplexed by those who did not appreciate these novels, or who had the contradictory idea that readers should begin with the modern story. Now that a prequel is available: certainly start the series here, with the first introduction to the hero! It does not divulge any details that should be new and exciting in the modern 2012 story.
Robin surely did even more research, to achieve the scope of satisfying, shrewdly-woven threads herein. At university, Ajax befriends one of the first computer pupils. They are also unique for retrieving rare books; a fascinating juxtaposition. Tracking a book to San Francisco, Ajax meets his bookstore predecessor. He follows sparse leads with enormous results. That city’s bizarre ship-scuttling history, coincides with the 1969 building of their subway system. This is an unforgettable, wholly original, five-star mystery!
I am a fan with a unique perspective on why these novels are exceptional. They make astute observations, that original archives and technological gadgets both have a place in recording and enriching our lives. On top of this, wonderful quests are built. Please look to me for questions or information. I am perplexed by those who did not appreciate these novels, or who had the contradictory idea that readers should begin with the modern story. Now that a prequel is available: certainly start the series here, with the first introduction to the hero! It does not divulge any details that should be new and exciting in the modern 2012 story.
Robin surely did even more research, to achieve the scope of satisfying, shrewdly-woven threads herein. At university, Ajax befriends one of the first computer pupils. They are also unique for retrieving rare books; a fascinating juxtaposition. Tracking a book to San Francisco, Ajax meets his bookstore predecessor. He follows sparse leads with enormous results. That city’s bizarre ship-scuttling history, coincides with the 1969 building of their subway system. This is an unforgettable, wholly original, five-star mystery!
April 10, 2022
این کتاب دنباله اثردیگری بنام"کتابفروشی ۲۴ساعته آقای آیاس پنامبرا" است.آقای پنامبرا جذابترین کتابفروش عالمه،چطور میشه عاشق این کتاب نشد و از این داستان سراسر هیجان، لذت نبرد؟یک هاگوارتز نوین و امروزی در دنیای اسرارآمیز کتاب ها...اصلا اینکه کتاب و کتاب بازی هم یک دنیای مخوف زیرزمینی دارند،و کلی جنایت و اتفاقات وحشتناک در بطن عشق به کتاب ها،نهفته است میتونه ،بنظرم به تنهایی جذاب و وسوسهانگیز باشه،هرچند کتاب بازهای حرفه ای،احتمالا استقبال نمیکنند از این اثر...ولی من عاشق اش هستم."هر کسی میتونه بره تو آرشیوهای مختلف بچرخه،دارم در مورد میل و اشتیاق به لذت بردن از ایده های پوچ حرف میزنم این عادتیه که بین همتایان من خیلی ارزشمنده...."نمیگم کتاب بازهای حرفه ای به چنین مرضی دچار اند،اینکه دیوانه وار در میان بساط های کتاب میدون انقلاب بگردند و هر کتاب فروشی ولو کوچک و دور افتاده در یک شهرستان دور،چشم هاشون رو بگیره،و اصلا یک کارتون کتاب گوشه خیابان یا وسط یک میهمانی بزرگ مثل یک میدان مغناطیسی قوی این موجودات غریب رو(کرم کتاب ها)رو بطرف خودش جذب کنه...و همه این ها میشه همون اشتیاق سیری ناپذیر به ایده های پوچ،و راست اش همین اشتیاق هست که زندگی رو بطرز وصف ناپذیری جذاب میکنه...خلاصه اگر به ژانر علمی تخیلی،پلیسی،ماجرایی علاقه دارید بخوانید و لذت ببرید...یک هری پاتر عجیب،بنام آیاس پنامبرا...😁😁👌👌📖📖📗📚
September 7, 2017
Fun! Just what the doctor ordered and free on Hoopla with a perfect narrator.
June 22, 2017
3 stars
This is actually the prequel to Mr Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. However when I read that book I was unaware of this book and that is because this book was not yet written. Therefore I did not rush to read this. Cute little diddy with a couple nice twists and turns.
Nice little short story about a college student, Ajax Penumbra, invited to work for Galvanic College's library as an Apprentice Acquisition Officer. His first assignment is to find the book Techne Tycheon. An invaluable book which has been lost. Lost, but recently tracked up to the year 1657 with the name William Gray as the only clues to the books whereabouts. Young Ajax tracks the book to San Francisco and ends up in Mohammad Al-Asmari's "24 hour Bookstore". There he finds out that William Gray is not the person that he expected him to be.
This is actually the prequel to Mr Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. However when I read that book I was unaware of this book and that is because this book was not yet written. Therefore I did not rush to read this. Cute little diddy with a couple nice twists and turns.
Nice little short story about a college student, Ajax Penumbra, invited to work for Galvanic College's library as an Apprentice Acquisition Officer. His first assignment is to find the book Techne Tycheon. An invaluable book which has been lost. Lost, but recently tracked up to the year 1657 with the name William Gray as the only clues to the books whereabouts. Young Ajax tracks the book to San Francisco and ends up in Mohammad Al-Asmari's "24 hour Bookstore". There he finds out that William Gray is not the person that he expected him to be.
April 9, 2017
This is a quick back story to Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. It's a light, fun, and imaginative read. I'm glad to know more about how Ajax came to be Mr. Penumbra. Of course, I found Cortiva to be just as endearingly irritating as well.
Once again, like I felt after reading the larger book, I am aching for a visit to the City now. (San Francisco for those in the know.)
Once again, like I felt after reading the larger book, I am aching for a visit to the City now. (San Francisco for those in the know.)
October 11, 2015
I quite enjoyed this rather small introduction to Ajax Penumbra. I am still undeniably in love with Robin Sloan’s writing style. His relationship with words is absolutely magical. And the love and appreciation for books… it creates such a special, and rather singular, atmosphere. I honestly wish there were more pages...
I think Mr. Penumbra deserved more time and space. Then again, his name is Penumbra...
I think Mr. Penumbra deserved more time and space. Then again, his name is Penumbra...
March 13, 2019
A prequel to Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, Ajax Penumbra 1969 explores the life of Mr. Penumbra of the 24 Hour Bookstore. Ajax Penumbra is offered a job in Galvanic College's library, where he is expected to hunt out old surviving books for their collection. His first assignment is to discover what happened to Techne Tycheon, a book of prophecy. His quest takes him to San Francisco, where he encounters the mysterious bookshop to which he would later devote his life, the redoubtable Marcus Corvina and Mohammed al-Asmari, who completely disappears in the latter book.
The book was mildly interesting regarding Penumbra's journey to this bookshop. But it lacked the delightfulness of the characters and the small scenes of Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. Character development was minimal and there was no reason given as to why Penumbra would leave off a wonderful and rewarding career doing something he loved to throw in his lot with the bookshop.
It was a fun and short read for those who loved the original book. But really, Sloan is capable of much better than this, imo. I'd recommend it only if you already loved Clay Jannon's adventures and want to find out more.
The book was mildly interesting regarding Penumbra's journey to this bookshop. But it lacked the delightfulness of the characters and the small scenes of Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. Character development was minimal and there was no reason given as to why Penumbra would leave off a wonderful and rewarding career doing something he loved to throw in his lot with the bookshop.
It was a fun and short read for those who loved the original book. But really, Sloan is capable of much better than this, imo. I'd recommend it only if you already loved Clay Jannon's adventures and want to find out more.
September 30, 2018
I wish there was so much more to this book...!
April 13, 2016
It has been a long time since I read Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, and I'd forgotten how much I love escaping into the world that Robin Sloan has created. It made me both want to re-read 24hr bookstore and wish that he would write a new book.
June 24, 2017
I read it straight after the book and really enjoyed it. It was a bit hard to get into at the beginning but I really liked it and it’s definitely a great addition to the story!
February 5, 2017
А в качестве обзора следует использовать гифку с Белль, когда она катается на лестнице мимо книжных полок.
January 9, 2020
Nur eine ganz kurze Meinung, da ich aufgrund der langen Zeit, die ich gebraucht habe, um dieses Buch zu lesen, kaum mehr eine vernünftig ausgearbeitete Rezension zustande bringen würde:
Die nachträglich hinzugefügte Vorgeschichte zu "Die sonderbare Buchhandlung des Mr. Penumbra" kann für mich leider nicht an den ursprünglichen Roman heranreichen. Für mich fehlte ein Großteil des Zaubers, ich konnte mich weder fallen lassen, noch hatte ich das Gefühl, dass die Geschichte mich wahrlich mitgenommen hätte. Stattdessen habe ich mich eher langsam voran geschlichen, auf der Suche nach dem besonderen Flair, den ich in "Die sonderbare Buchhandlung des Mr. Penumbra" gefunden hatte - und wegen dem ich diese Geschichte hier unbedingt lesen wollte.
Es war sehr schön, die jüngeren Gesichter vertrauter Gestalten anzutreffen sowie die Vergangenheit von bekannten Orten kennenzulernen, was mich oft zum Lächeln gebracht hat. Ansonsten kam das Buch leider nicht an meine Erwartungen heran.
Die nachträglich hinzugefügte Vorgeschichte zu "Die sonderbare Buchhandlung des Mr. Penumbra" kann für mich leider nicht an den ursprünglichen Roman heranreichen. Für mich fehlte ein Großteil des Zaubers, ich konnte mich weder fallen lassen, noch hatte ich das Gefühl, dass die Geschichte mich wahrlich mitgenommen hätte. Stattdessen habe ich mich eher langsam voran geschlichen, auf der Suche nach dem besonderen Flair, den ich in "Die sonderbare Buchhandlung des Mr. Penumbra" gefunden hatte - und wegen dem ich diese Geschichte hier unbedingt lesen wollte.
Es war sehr schön, die jüngeren Gesichter vertrauter Gestalten anzutreffen sowie die Vergangenheit von bekannten Orten kennenzulernen, was mich oft zum Lächeln gebracht hat. Ansonsten kam das Buch leider nicht an meine Erwartungen heran.
April 14, 2019
A lovely little glimpse into the awesome Ajax Penumbra's life and how he ends up in San Francisco. I could have had more of this, but it was just lovely all the same. And to have the same narrator for this as well - that was just icing on the cake.
March 7, 2019
A fun little short that's perfect for fans of Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore.
May 15, 2018
That was a fun novella. I’m sure it would have been better if I’d read the novel it’s related to first, but I didn’t manage my library holds very well and this came up first. Cute story about finding a book, with some hippies and early computer science thrown in.
July 8, 2018
I really enjoyed Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore but this prequel was lacking. It's more of a short story than a full book so by the time I started getting into the storyline it ended.
March 6, 2019
Fast paced and interesting
The small prequel to Mr Penumbra's 24 hour bookstore was fast paced and as usual had bits of the code and computers humming along in the background. Not sure if it can be read as a standalone book. The bicycle trip through the tunnel with Penumbra and Corvina racing to find the craft of fortune was fantastic but then this book was about the ability to entertain certain absurd ideas. There could've been more character development with something to show why Ajax choses to become a bookstore clerk abandoning his exciting job as both fulfilled his love for old books and puzzles. Firmly for Penumbra fans.
The small prequel to Mr Penumbra's 24 hour bookstore was fast paced and as usual had bits of the code and computers humming along in the background. Not sure if it can be read as a standalone book. The bicycle trip through the tunnel with Penumbra and Corvina racing to find the craft of fortune was fantastic but then this book was about the ability to entertain certain absurd ideas. There could've been more character development with something to show why Ajax choses to become a bookstore clerk abandoning his exciting job as both fulfilled his love for old books and puzzles. Firmly for Penumbra fans.
April 16, 2015
This shortstory is a lot nicer to read than the follow up "Mr. Penumbra's 24 hour book shop". I don't think it is amazing, but a fun adventure - kind of more plausible than the other one and the main character is an interesting, curious and persistent person. Robin Sloane should definitely stay within the boundaries of short stories.
July 20, 2015
An interesting and quirky little story. A nice companion novella to Mr Penumbras 24 Hour Bookstore. Its great to see where Mr Penumbra came from and get a bit of insight into his and Corvinas characters. A nice read
September 25, 2013
This is such a cute short story but of course I wish the author would write more!
January 15, 2019
I had missed Ajax Penumbra! This brief book tells us how young Ajax first encountered the quirky, quixotical bookstore this reader came to know and love.
April 15, 2020
*2.5 stars*
this was cute, but unfortunately not enough substance to really get into the groove of the late 60's/early 70's.
this was cute, but unfortunately not enough substance to really get into the groove of the late 60's/early 70's.
October 22, 2022
an archivist comp sci dream on magical mini quest proportions! the adult version of my mysterious benedict society fantasy !
Appendix:
Books on Display in Alasmari’s 24 Hour Bookstore in Sept 1969 on the low table labeled Mo’s Picks
The High King, Lloyd Alexander
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou
Naked Came the Stranger, Penelope Ash
The Edible Woman, Margaret Atwood
The Drowned World, JG Ballard
In Watermelon Sugar, Richard Brautigan
Stand On Zanzibar, John Bruner
The Andromeda Strain, Michael Crichton
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K. Dick
The Secret Meaning of Things, Lawrence Ferlinghetti
Fantastic Four #89, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. LeGuin
The Armies of the Night, Norman Mailer
Behold the Man, Michael Moorcock
Portnoy’s Complaint, Philip Roth
City of the Chasch, Jack Vance
Slaughterhouse-Five, Kurt Vonnegut
The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, Tom Wolfe
(new reading list just dropped)
Appendix:
Books on Display in Alasmari’s 24 Hour Bookstore in Sept 1969 on the low table labeled Mo’s Picks
The High King, Lloyd Alexander
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou
Naked Came the Stranger, Penelope Ash
The Edible Woman, Margaret Atwood
The Drowned World, JG Ballard
In Watermelon Sugar, Richard Brautigan
Stand On Zanzibar, John Bruner
The Andromeda Strain, Michael Crichton
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K. Dick
The Secret Meaning of Things, Lawrence Ferlinghetti
Fantastic Four #89, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. LeGuin
The Armies of the Night, Norman Mailer
Behold the Man, Michael Moorcock
Portnoy’s Complaint, Philip Roth
City of the Chasch, Jack Vance
Slaughterhouse-Five, Kurt Vonnegut
The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, Tom Wolfe
(new reading list just dropped)
January 15, 2023
This was super short and fun, actually this was what Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore should have been (but full length novel). I wanted the puzzles and the mystery, I kind of felt cheated by the shortcuts Clay had taken in his journey. This made up for it a tiny bit.
4 stars
4 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,318 reviews