The Suitcase Clone

by Robin Sloan

At last, the story that definitively bridges the world of Sourdough to that of Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore. It’s all one Penumbraverse.

James Bascule is adrift. College beckons—but not quite strongly enough to actually get him to campus. A trip to Europe showed him a world bigger than his Northern California upbringing—and yet, one broken heart later, Northern California is where he’s returned. Back to his old bedroom, paying his bemused parents rent with his new hobby, baking bread with the sourdough starter that is his only souvenir of what was apparently just a summer fling.

The future is being built an hour or two down the highway—it’s 1985; the twenty-first century is just around the corner!—but that’s not his world either. While sitting in a Sonoma County bar, indulging in a little aimless day drinking with a junior college acquaintance, he meets a man. A man with . . . something like a plan. Has James ever heard of a “suitcase clone”? It’s a cutting of a vine used to clone and propagate noteworthy grapes—say, from a legendary European vineyard to an upstart Napa Valley operation. This man has an operation. He has a suitcase. He just needs an enterprising young accomplice up for an adventure.

Just how deliriously fun and thrillingly mind-expanding an adventure, James can’t yet know. But we, of course, know how Robin Sloan crafts a story. Crossing the international literary-techno-conspiracy of Mr. Penumbra with the delicious experimentation of Sourdough, The Suitcase Clone is a tale that enriches and expands the Penumbraverse in ways you never saw coming, told by a mysterious narrator with an unexpected perspective on the great puzzles of life. Who could it be?

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Fantasy, Audiobook, Novella, Magical Realism, Adult

78 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 2, 2022

About the author

Robin 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.

Reviews

[Susan Tunis · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the novel Sourdough, there's a throwaway line where someone asks Lois if she knows about suitcase clones. From that brief reference springs this prequel novella, set in the 80s. It was promised that it would unite all of Robin's major works in a single "Penumbraverse." But it's far more connected to Sourdough than Mr. Penumbra. It's deep into the book before the crossover become explicit, and even then, it left me with more questions than answers. But also with the feeling that Robin Sloan wasn't done with this world.

As for the story itself, when Lois visits the Cafe Candide kitchen in Sourdough, she learns of a Jim Bascule who, decades earlier, baked sourdough like hers. This is Jim's story--not about the sourdough, really, but something that happened just after.

In anticipation of the novella, I revisited Ajax Penumbra, 1969; Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore; and Sourdough. I'll be honest, you really don't need to do that to read this latest, though doing so is a pleasure in it's own right. As delightful as it is, I didn't love The Suitcase Clone quite as much as the other books in this series. I think that's because it's a little more removed from the main action of the stories we already know, and because it's not nearly as complex. But the other reason is because it takes place far away from the San Francisco/Bay Area settings that Robin writes so well. Now, I'm biased, because I live in San Francisco, and Robin is among the very best in writing about this city.

However, I don't want to be guilty of damning with faint praise, because I'll drop everything to read anything at all that Robin produces. He is a truly idiosyncratic talent, and his work gives me so much joy. As noted above, it seems as though Robin isn't even close to being done playing in the Penumbraverse. There is very overt foreshadowing. I can only hope that it will be another full-length novel and that he won't make us wait too very long!

[Matt Mansfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daring Quest for the Golden Elixir

“…That dangerous place where he will heed any suggestion…a prime candidate for cult membership”.

So begins the 1985 devious path for young, unemployed Jim Bascule from a Santa Rosa restaurant near California’s legendary wine producing region into the shadowy underworld of wine vine suitcase smuggling to dodge USDA seven-year quarantine requirements.

And his quest to bring back the stock of an elusive golden dessert wine, considered superior to Chateau d’Yquem, and rumored to have eluded the 19th century bug infestation destroying many European vineyards.

Robin Sloan’s 2022 novella, “The Suitcase Clone” continues his unusual blending of fantasy, science fiction and sly satire he treated readers to with his earlier works skewering the gourmet food and computer information industries. His latest effort feels like an amusing modern Jason and the Argonauts chasing the Golden Fleece.

There is a wonderful assortment of characters – the mischievous Gregory Wolfram, a leggy synthesizer-playing Elettra Brixi reminiscent of Marlene Dietrich, crafty cellar master Renato – gathered for an evening of wine tasting, entertainment, rituals such as applying ‘noble rot” to maximize the grapes flavor potential… and intrigue at Chateau l’Etrange.

And there is also a timeless all-seeing entity occasionally speaking in the first person whose real role is never revealed but embraces the invisible impulse of derring-do. Combining this spirit with other over-the-top scenes and symbolic characters foreshadowed in the opening as well as his fascination with sourdough starter, Sloan humorously stretches your imagination.

My only regret is the story is far too short and should have been bigger in scope as his earlier work.

Please Mr. Sloan, may we have some more?


(Here are the links to my Amazon posted reviews for his other novels:

2012 “Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore”: https://www.amazon.com/review/R22ZWHF...

2017 “Sourdough”:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/RNVV...)

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook ARC!

I've been a huge Robin Sloan fan since his first novel, Mr Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, which I've now read probably 6 times. So of course, I love the fact that he continues to dip into the well of 'Penumbra-adjacent stories'. And while this book definitely has more of a connection to the author's second novel, Sourdough, it's all in the same universe, and I love it.

The character development in this book is really quite good for a novella, and it definitely stands strong as a book of its own, even if you're not familiar with the related works of the author. The narrator does a great job of capturing the atmosphere and the essence of the story. A really nice piece of work all around.

[Elentarri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Suitcase Clone is an absolutely charming companion to Robin Sloan's Sourdough novel. Narrated from the perspective of... well... you will see when you read it, this novella tells the story of James Bascule and his trip to Europe to "acquire" cuttings and (unusual) yeast from a particularly famous vineyard, and hide the proceeds in a suitcase with hidden compartments (hence the suitcase clone epithet). Funny, interesting and entertaining, this story does not require the reader to have previously read Sourdough.

[Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars 😁⭐️ this was included in my copy of sourdough so at first i thought it was just an epilogue but it’s actually it’s own sweet little story with tie-ins to the book and revolves around one of its lesser characters. can’t get over how much i loved these two!!!! i’m so glad i randomly picked this up!

[Andreas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe this was just intended as a teaser for a novel still to come, but as it is now, it just wet my appetite without satisfying. While the sourdough's new role is interesting, the bookshop reference is really too sketchy. However, the story is very well written and fun too read. It is just over much too soon. I am definitely waiting for the next novel...

[Siriusly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I almost stopped after the first paragraph. So far this is a verbose and contrived story of an author who might or might not be a foodie and trying really hard to show the reader that's he's a foodie.

[Elie Grenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

chef’s kiss!!!!

[RottyReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Robin Sloan book. I was pleasantly surprised. I was in love with all the characters. I loved the idea of it all. The intrigue of stealing vines and propagation. I wonder if it's the wine lover in me or the true crime lover. But either way. I loved this book. I hope there's another book to come. That ending was just too good! I wanted so much more. I didn't know it was a novella. So good.

Thank you, Netgalley & Macmillan Audio for the ARC of the audiobook
Thank you, Robin Sloan for this book
Thank you, Pavi Proczko for the incredible narration!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robin Sloan is so cool; I follow his newsletters and Instagram and am enriched by his questing mind and initiative (he makes olive oil! he makes music using interesting technology! he contributes to computer games! he thinks about new forms of social media! he delights in art of all kinds, from lettering to fine painting; he makes walking his neighborhood into a shared delight-filled excursion...he is endlessly curious and interactive). I even saw him do a reading at Skylight Books (fantastic LA bookstore) and really enjoyed it. I also really liked Mr. Penumbra, retain some vivid images from Sourdough, started off with Annabel Scheme (which brought me to the rest, excited about the intersections of tech and the supernatural), and have read all of the short stories, some with more gusto than others and with particular appreciation for those Sloan printed and mailed himself. This novella, or long short story(?), shares some of the wonderful imagination of its predecessors and dips into many of Sloan's own obsessions and is cute and entertaining if, like Sourdough, less my thing. I also listened to it as an audiobook and though I'd read about Sloan's careful selection of the narrator for very specific attributes, I didn't particularly enjoy the narrator's take. In fact, I think the book would be a lot more fun read off the page and I regret not doing that. Like Sourdough, the Suitcase Clone is worth reading just for the sparks of genius - in the writing, in the envisioning - even if the sentient starter thing doesn't float your boat.

[Don LeClair · Rating 4 out of 5]

A prequel to Sourdough

Having enjoyed Robin Sloan’s books Sourdough and Mr Penumbra, it was fun to read this short prequel. Much of the focus was on the sourdough starter story, but it certainly had references to Mr Penumbra’s library.
I do wish it had been longer, but it is an enjoyable read!

[carmen! · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of my first audiobooks and i enjoyed the experience

[Lisa Denton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook of The Suitcase Clone by Robin Sloan, initially not realizing that it is a novella. I also didn't know that it would refer to Sloan's book Sourdough, which I read a couple years ago. I don't think it is necessary to read Sourdough in order to enjoy The Suitcase Clone, but it certainly gave more meaning to the story.

The storyline here is intriguing: Jim, with only heartbreak and a sourdough starter to show from his recent time overseas, is searching for his place in this world, or maybe he just needs an adventure. Approached in a restaurant by a mysterious man, Jim ends up back in Europe on a mission to smuggle grape vines and starter from a prestigious vineyard in order to bring them back to the States so the mysterious man can graft them to American vines to start his own Napa Valley vineyard. Like in Sourdough, this unusual vineyard starter and the vineyard itself take on lives of their own that go way beyond mere personification.

As in every Robin Sloan book, the word choice is exquisite. I picked up this (audio)book purely because it is a Robin Sloan. The ending leaves the door open for a follow-up novel. Could The Suitcase Clone be a prequel to the next Robin Sloan book? Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this book.

[Cooper Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars. I’ve never read Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore, so I cannot speak to the tie-in to that novel, but I appreciated this novella that took it’s jumping-off point from a tiny side plot in Sourdough while remaining a standalone story about Jim Bascule and his adventures in Italy. This story was not about sourdough, per se, but was about finding oneself through coincidences and random happenstances.
Again, here, I was entranced by Sloan’s writing style and was immediately invested in Jim’s journey through California and Italy. One gripe I have with the writing, however, is that sometimes the narrator is not consistent. There were a handful of lines here and there that seemed to suggest that the Mazg culture/starter was the narrator, these being in first-person; most of the story, however, was in the third person told by an unnamed omniscient narrator. I felt that with some editing, this story could have been fully one or the other, but the author hadn’t quite decided when he finished writing this story.
All in all, an entertaining read to add-on to the end of Sourdough (as this was—unbeknownst to me—included in the Kindle version I borrowed from my library). I think it showed a lot of restraint for Sloan to edit the story down into just 78 pages, though I would have read an entire full-length novel version of Jim’s story.

[Xander Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I was someone who was able to embrace shorter fiction more easily. Absolutely I've read some fantastic short stories over the years, but more often than not I am unable to really get hooked by works that aren't full novel length. And The Suitcase Clone isn't an exception. The ingredients are here for an engaging tale, but too quickly it's over and I already feel it slipping from my mind. Additionally, it felt like Sloan introduced various intriguing elements that we didn't get to see play out. For example, what was really the significance of the group of people sitting around the table at the beginning (and I think somewhere in the middle)? Why did we bother to learn about the "slow bullet" man who knew Jim's employer? Why is the story told from the perspective of a starter? I know this tale supposedly connects the worlds of Sloan's other books (which I've read), but outside of the obvious connection to Sourdough, I must not remember the details of those other books well enough to recognize very much.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short story about an aimless young man in the San Francisco area who agrees to travel to Europe to bring home a cutting from an infamous and thought-to-be extinct vineyard, secreted in a specially made suitcase. The young man’s questionable morals aside, it’s focused on the people he meets, the (seemingly sentient) mould in the vineyard, and a dusty bookstore in which he spends a night or two. I have read and enjoyed both Mr Penumbra’s 24 Hour Bookstore and Sourdough, other works by this author. I never felt they needed to be connected. Both seem to have elements of magical realism, but I don’t expect Alice Hoffman, for example, to explain and connect the magical realism in her various novels. Bottom line: it was interesting but not a particularly compelling or complex story.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the Penumbra books and Sourdough, so I was looking forward to this novella. It was good, but it wasn't quite as good as the full length books. I do like short stories and novellas, so it's not just about the length. I think that I was expecting a more direct connection to the bookstore or the sourdough world, and although the connections were there to the earlier books, they weren't as strong as I expected. None the less, it was a fun adventure and an interesting read. I feel like a full length novel stemming from this book is unlikely, but I could be wrong. Definitely worth reading if you've read the other books. Probably a bit weird and confusing if you haven't...especially Sourdough.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's especially good about it is that you can read it in one go. What else is good about it is its imagery. A suitcase, a Korg, a mustard yellow coat straight out of a Frank Miller comic. What is also very good about it is the David-Mitchellesque way in which characters from other books are connected creating a greater world around the individual stories. What is less good, in my very humble opinion, is placing me in Italy. I just wasn't there somehow. Don't get me wrong: I understand it was all new, and all my senses were catered to at some point, but still. I was not transported. Nevertheless, that may just be me. Because, honestly, it's just very good.

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little story which has some of the borderline mystical/magical elements as Robin Sloan’s books bbb Sourdough and Mr. Penumbra’s 24 hour Bookstore.

When I first started reading I really thought that it was actually written in the 1980s, Sloan really succeeded at capturing the feel of that decade even though the book was published in 2022.


Sloan also did a great job giving the feel of the various groups and settings in the story, the wine world, the burgeoning high tech world of the eighties, the electronic music scene, etc.

The characters are good but not quite as interesting as those two books.

[Chira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much like Sloan's other Penumbraverse works, I feel like this hits better if you're familiar with aspects of it. As someone who makes wine from grapes in a vineyard just outside Santa Rosa grown from a suitcase clone from Italy, this hits....hilariously close. There's the usual dreamy just-left-of-normal setup, more exploration into "the starter", and thoughts on the nature of origins, but all in all, it's just fun.

Really 3.5, but that half star gets lost for the audiobook version, where the accents actually ended up detracting from everything for me.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mysterious adventure involving rare wines and viticulture

Story bridges the worlds of Sourdough and Mr. Penumbra but you don't need to have read the previous books to enjoy this story. James is a twenty something who has just come back from a trip to Europe with a broken heart. He is brought out of his depression by his involvement in a pop-up restaurant and a new hobby of baking sourdough bread. He meets a mysterious man at the restaurant who hires him for a secret mission in Europe.

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novella explores the wine underworld, where valuable vintages are cloned onto new rootstock.

Jim is a community college graduate, recovering from an ended romance and unsure if he wants to go on to college. He is approached by a man who asks him to travel to Italy with a special suitcase designed to hide vine cuttings. It's the adventure of a lifetime, that starts a new path for him. There are links to both the Penumbra books and the world of Sourdough.

[Kate ( Earth Heart's Pages ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 An inspired thief. Sourdough. Wine. Italy. Music and a living bubbly rot culture. And maybe some weird wibbly wobbly magical vines? Sign me up

I don't know what it is about Robin Sloan's books, but the cozy vibes, slight weirdness and explorative concepts just get me. I enjoyed starting 2024 with this little novella. I would recommend to read Sourdough first, but you don't have to read Penumbra for this( while you really really should because it's still very very great)

[Braelin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing novella that ties together the world of Mr. Penumbra and Sourdough. This book dives more into the cultures feelings, thoughts, and what it does to the people who possess it. It’s more direct than sourdough, leaving less to the imagination about what the culture is. But it does go more into detail because of this, while still leaving some to the imagination, like Robin Sloan does in a lot of his books, because it’s so short. This novella is more sinister than Sloan’s other books.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, but I wish it had been a bit longer. Definite tie in/prequel with Sourdough (which I read 5-6 years ago but don't remember any character names), no idea how it tied in with Mr. Penumbra (read that 10 years ago). If you like his writing then I’m sure you’ll like this. Unsure if it should count as a book read since it’s so short, ha ha.

[Annabelle Hurst]

Haha I’m just adding this bc it was included at the end of my copy of sourdough which I read months ago and ummm never finished suitcase clone but I just finished Mr Penumbras and was like haha I should probably finish that other one so I did and it made me happy that they’re in the same universe that’s all

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A publisher’s blurb proclaims that Robin Sloan’s The Suitcase Clone “bridges the world of Sourdough to that of Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore.” They had me at Sourdough. Throw in some old-school French wine with “noble rot,” and I am well and truly hooked. Foodie sci-fi—what is not to like?

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Robin Sloan novelette is intriguing and adventurous. Read my full review here.

Publication is expected August 2.

#NetGalley #MacmillanAudio #FarrarStrausGiroux #TheSuitcaseClone

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novelette or novella. It is said to take place in the Penumbraverse, but it's really a prequel to Sourdough. Fairly short. Interesting story. Excellent, descriptive writing. Very odd!

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a long short story, or a novella, not a full novel. It is part of the Sourdough world, essentially. I enjoyed Robin's other books, and I enjoyed this too. It's a quick read. But, people who haven't read Robin Sloan before should start with Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore.