Tomas

Tomas asked Robin Sloan:

Most of the businesses in Sourdough are pretty obvious as to what real-life businesses they're inspired by (e.g. Greenlight coffee = Blue Bottle, Cafe Candide = Chez Panisse... I think). What is the soup delivery place inspired by? The descriptions of that soup are so good, I'd love to check it out some time!

Robin Sloan This is a good question! There's no direct real-world analogue to the Mazg brothers' soup delivery service, but in a roundabout way, I had in mind a restaurant called Burma Superstar, my favorite spot on Clement Street when I lived in that neighborhood. Their menu doesn't correspond in any way to Clement Street Soup and Sandwich's, BUT Burma Superstar does offer several spicy soups, AND the flavors are the kind that stop you in your tracks: "Why… did no one ever tell me food could taste like this?"

More Answered Questions

PaddytheMick

PaddytheMick asked Robin Sloan:

I found the Ajax Penumbra 1969 short to be just as engaging as Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Book Store. Thank you! Do you envision more Bibliopunk adventures somewhere along the Unbroken Spine timeline?

Anne Mary

Anne Mary asked Robin Sloan:

What are you working on next? Another novel, I hope.

Kam

Kam asked Robin Sloan:

I really like the way you worked New York City into your book, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore! It was also fun to see a little of the tech world. I've heard that authors have no shortage of ideas, but how do the settings work into the development of the story? Did you think about how many people walk around New York and wonder what is going on around them?

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