Maybe it’s just me. Maybe it’s a current publishing trend. Whatever the reason, I seem to be reading too many dystopian novels these days.

Actually, though, Robin Sloan’s wonderful novel Sourdough turns out not to be dystopian after all. It just keeps giving hints that it will change into that mode. But one reviewer on Amazon puts his finger on it: Sloan is quirky, not dystopian.

Another reviewer observes that “this book touches on the following topics: technology, food, farmers markets, how to combine them, science, self discovery, friendship, mentorship and love. He keeps it light, and thus fun.” All of that is true.

On the other hand, another Amazon reviewer totally missed the mark: “I bought it thinking it would be a delightful tale about baked goods.”

So is it really science fiction? Sorta.

And is it really about sourdough? Sorta.

Nearly eleven years ago I wrote briefly about Sloan’s earlier novel, Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore. My post was in the context of a slightly longer post about it and two other novels not by Robin Sloan. This new one has pretty much the same sensibility as Penumbra and makes sense if you are willing to let it do so.

Go read it! Have fun!

Four versions of the cover:

Categories: Books