Reviews with content warning for Kidnapping - Piranezis

Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

Piranezis by Susanna Clarke

605 reviews

georgiaabigail's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious relaxing tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This book both confused me and gripped me from the start. I went into this blind and didn’t want to stop reading until I had finished it! Beautifully written and a definite 5 star read for me.

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spookylettuce's review against another edition

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mysterious tense medium-paced

5.0

I was captivated by the mystery and setting of this book.
I found Piranesi’s voice compelling and exploring the setting through his eyes effective for both the plot and characterization.
The unreality of the setting combined with the recognizable deepens the mystery. It compelled me to continue reading to try and unravel what was going on and explore even more of the setting through Piranesi’s eyes.
If you like mystery, environmental storytelling, and interesting/slightly fantastical settings this book may interest you.

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clarkg's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

The adjectives that come to mind when I reflect on this book are "intricate", "obsessive" and "labyrinthian". The story does not unfold, it unravels. The characters to do not so much develop as they rearticulate. If you approach this book with curiosity and a beginner's mind, the result is dazzling.

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annhow's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.25

Really interesting concept that unfolds tantalisingly.
Characters were few, but the story revolved around them in such an interesting way, and the setting was absolutely gorgeous.
Reminded me of Johnathan Strange and Mr Norrell (but in a very different way); a good read for those interested in modern mythology, magical psychology, and ambiguous, open endings and interpretations

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plantainicus's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

After reading six Harry Potter books, this was a welcome serious reprieve. All this dude wants to do is chill in the backrooms but others have different plans. The titular character is perhaps one of the most charming and lovable characters I have ever read. Solid 5 stars and one of the best books I’ve read all year.

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hilarylouise's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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zifk's review against another edition

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dark hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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utopiaandmelancholy's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I cannot believe I made my partner wait 6 months for me to read this so we could talk about it. Absolutely gripping. Spellbinding. What an incredible concept, and what phenomenal writing.

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sophiestasyna's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

A stunning & unique read that's nearly impossible to describe.

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meganemarshall's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I don't know how I feel about Piranesi. I feel like it's the kind of book that you have to sit on. I'm still pretty kinda confused after reading. The basic story was obvious the 'mystery' was simple. I am left wondering if I'm missing some big philosophical question that this book poses, which just went completely over my head.

I did enjoy the book. I had a good time reading it. I liked the Labyrinth. I found it to be peaceful, beautiful, and calming. To me, Piranesi was a simpler lifestyle where the focus was survival/needs but overall peaceful. And in comparison Other was modern times - cruel, violent, and chaotic. Maybe it's supposed to be a metaphor for finding peace and a sense of purpose in religion/worship of whoever/whatever. That it's about the act itself, not the specifics.

Or maybe I'm trying to assign a deeper meeting into a book that's supposed to be surface level. Overall, I did like the book even though it's going to give me an existential crisis.

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