Sourdough by Robin Sloan is a delightful tale of a young woman's journey from tech industry burnout to semi-accidental career as proprietress of a sourdough bakery. Lois is a software engineer who has run away from a high-stress job and moved to San Francisco in search of a simpler, more satisfying life. After a serendipitous encounter with a fellow food enthusiast, she is bequeathed a vial of sourdough starter, a gift that catalyzes her baking journey.
Lois quickly discovers that baking is an art form, requiring creativity and a knack for experimentation. Her missteps in the kitchen become experimentations to see if she can re-engineer and perfect her recipes. As her baking explorations deepen and her sourdough secret grows, Lois finds herself embarking on a path that is as much self-transformation as career growth.
The novel follows Lois as she strikes out to start her own small business, tackling the challenges of being a one-person operation, learning how to accept and work with her weaknesses, and eventually welcoming help from a new friend. Sourdough is a sweet, funny, and inspiringly creative tale that shows the power of turning an obsession into a new career path.
Sloan crafts a unique and humorous tale, reminiscent of the early-2000s "whimsy boom" that launched the Silicon Valley tech scene. Lois is a compelling protagonist: She is smart but at times naive, seeks independence yet also needs support, and boldly takes risks but often fails in her pursuits. Meanwhile, her hometown of San Francisco is an integral character, with its powerful waves and legendary sourdough culture.
The story starts off slow and light-hearted, but then blends in some deeper themes of familial legacy and the struggles of starting a business. As Lois wrestles with her insecurities and strives to become a better baker, the novel offers a touching examination of the personal nature of success and the importance of learning how to trust the process.
The novel ends in a satisfactory way, but the best part of reading Sourdough is the journey. It's a warm and often laugh-out-loud-funny story that will bring a smile to readers of all ages. Sloan's writing style is easy to read, his characters are familiar and relatable, and his message is inspiring—that with hard work, we can discover and pursue our true passions.
