Scan barcode
rorikae's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
In 'Piranesi,' Susanna Clarke weaves a haunting and evocative tale. The story is told through the journal entries of a man, sometimes called Piranesi, who lives in a large house with numerous rooms, lots of statues, and tides. Piranesi appears to be alone in this house apart from another individual that he calls the Other, who comes and goes, and who Piranesi helps with his research.
That's all that you need to know going into this story and I think the story works best if that is all that you do know. Clarke begins to unravel Piranesi's experience and his surroundings slowly throughout the book as we start to learn more about who he is. Clarke does such an expert job of peeling back layers of the story slowly and part of why this is done so well is that we as the reader are learning right alongside the narrator.
Though this is in many ways the complete opposite of Clarke's most well known novel, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, she brings the same mastery of storytelling to Piranesi. Though Piranesi is short, it is instantly evocative and I found it hard to put the book down as the full story began to take shape. Through letting the reader uncover the truth of what is going on right alongside Piranesi, Clarke creates a sense of intrigue that is peppered throughout the entire novel. It's so hard to describe because anything beyond the most basic description of the plot is a spoiler and the less you know about the story going in, the more impactful I believe it will be. This is a story that is both devastating and hopeful. One that needs to be read and fully experienced. I highly recommend it, especially if you have enjoyed Clarke's other works and if you are interested in uncovering the mystery of the world right alongside the protagonist.
That's all that you need to know going into this story and I think the story works best if that is all that you do know. Clarke begins to unravel Piranesi's experience and his surroundings slowly throughout the book as we start to learn more about who he is. Clarke does such an expert job of peeling back layers of the story slowly and part of why this is done so well is that we as the reader are learning right alongside the narrator.
Though this is in many ways the complete opposite of Clarke's most well known novel, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, she brings the same mastery of storytelling to Piranesi. Though Piranesi is short, it is instantly evocative and I found it hard to put the book down as the full story began to take shape. Through letting the reader uncover the truth of what is going on right alongside Piranesi, Clarke creates a sense of intrigue that is peppered throughout the entire novel. It's so hard to describe because anything beyond the most basic description of the plot is a spoiler and the less you know about the story going in, the more impactful I believe it will be. This is a story that is both devastating and hopeful. One that needs to be read and fully experienced. I highly recommend it, especially if you have enjoyed Clarke's other works and if you are interested in uncovering the mystery of the world right alongside the protagonist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Violence
kettijane55's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Forced institutionalization
kenchingfox's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Confinement, Kidnapping, Mental illness, and Physical abuse
Minor: Animal death, Blood, Cursing, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Homophobia, Vomit, Suicide, and Excrement
More...