Reviews

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

mrossow's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

mitskacir's review against another edition

5.0

Finishing this book made me feel peaceful and content with the silence in my house. The book begins with our narrator telling us about the House, its Halls, and his daily tasks of journalling, fishing, exploring, and taking care of the "inhabitants" of the House. I am concurrently reading "Braiding Sweetgrass" and couldn't help but think about the parallels of Wall Kimmerer's understanding of the reciprocal, gift giving relationship between humans and the earth and "Prianesi"'s narrator's philosophy of the House: his understanding that it provides him everything he needs and in turn he gives it his attention. I think I could have a read a whole book of just this, without needing to understand any more about this surreal landscape. Each description of a statue is methodical and compassionate, reflecting the narrator's contentment, curiosity, and sense of peace.

The non-House portions of this book were certainly higher paced, darker, and more action-packed than the narrator's meanderings, and I was filled with a true sense of disquiet. However, I was not as invested in them until the climax of the flood. That being said, when the plot picks up and we begin to understand more about who the narrator actually is and why he is in the House, I was not disappointed. I appreciated that by the end of the book, we return to the narrator's serene voice and his optimistic and childlike appreciation for the world, despite the added complexity that has been introduced to it.

gbeene's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-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? Yes

2.5

I had to wait until I got 65% through this book before I was well and truly entertained. The concept is very interesting, but it takes a while before the plot really begins in earnest. Before then, you’ll be walking through a lot of halls and vestibules. 

sweetboi94's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

4.5

veoxy's review against another edition

challenging mysterious medium-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? No

3.0

I finished the entire book in one day but Im not sure how I feel about it. I dont even know how to describe this book, just... weird? It feels like Im missing a metaphor or something.

thequeerestbookworm's review against another edition

mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

Truly incredible book. I went in knowing almost nothing and was just blow away by how well written and beautiful it is.  A book I will definitely return to.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Kidnapping

capriciousreader's review against another edition

2.0

Blah. Blah blah blah.

mstewy28's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

wren_z's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring mysterious medium-paced

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

4.75

So close to 5 stars, I just found the development of the story a little anticlimactic. It flowed steadily, beautifully, and compellingly, but without a certain intensity that I felt could have been there. 
A truly beautiful book that was a pleasure to read. 

kurukuru's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0