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miaaa_lenaaa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Crying, hes such a cutie pie
‘What this Knowledge consists of he is not entirely sure, but at various times he has suggested that it might include the following’
‘My hair - which is dark and curly - was as full of droplets as a Cloud. I rained every time I moved.’
‘'Perhaps we should go?'Go where?' I said.'Home, said Raphael. I mean we can go to my house and get dry. And then I can take you home."I am home, I said. Raphael looked around at the sombre grey Waters lapping the Walls and the dripping Statues. She didn't say anything.'It's usually a lot drier than this,’ I said quickly in case she was thinking that my Home was inhospitable and damp.’
‘"All that is true. But I haven't got his mind and I haven't got his memories. I don't mean that he's not here. He is here.’ I touched my breast. 'But I think he's asleep. He's fine. You mustn't worry about him.”’
‘And if I stay here will you come back and visit me?' I said."Of course’”she said.’
‘Today all my imaginings came true. The Sixteenth Person and I walked together through the House and I showed her many things.’
‘Perhaps even people you like and admire immensely can make you see the World in ways you would rather not.’
‘But she still wears the perfume- the first thing I ever knew of her- and it still makes me think of Sunlight and Happiness.’
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Murder, Confinement, and Kidnapping
readinglitwithbritt's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Pedophilia, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, and Toxic relationship
james1star's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
After watching many BookTubers recommend this book and saying to GO IN BLIND, I totally agree. Do a bit reading but not too much because the actual reading of this book is such an enjoyable, satisfying experience that would’ve been missed if I’d have know more. So that’s why I’m not going to talk about the plot at all, it’s about a guy called Piranesi… or is it? No more!
This is a purely phenomenal read and one I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone and everyone. Clarke conjures up a mesmerising wondrous world with one of the most lovable characters I’ve ever experienced. Her mind and imagination makes this story unlike anything I’ve read before. The pacing, writing, method of telling the story and everything is exquisite, I was encapsulated - no spellbound - by Piranesi, the pages turned themselves as if by magic. I was a little confused to start but it just went up and up from there, I absolutely loved it.
Please read this book! In my opinion it’s totally worth the hype and high rating. An instant favourite, second best of the year so far.
Final note: I’m kinda annoyed I’ve read it now because I won’t be able to go back and experience it for the first time!! If only I could enter the House for a couple days…
Content Warnings
Minor: Gaslighting, Murder, Kidnapping, and Death
const_elle_ations's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Murder, Gun violence, and Kidnapping
Minor: Child death
crazytourists_books's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
2.0
Now I know how it would feel like if I were high on lsd or magic mushrooms.
It was different, that's for sure. Different from everything I have ever read. But being different doesn't mean being special. It was a quick read, but lukewarm. With too many repetitions of words and phrases; I understand why, but that doesn't mean it wasn't annoying. And that end... Pffff
It was different, that's for sure. Different from everything I have ever read. But being different doesn't mean being special. It was a quick read, but lukewarm. With too many repetitions of words and phrases; I understand why, but that doesn't mean it wasn't annoying. And that end... Pffff
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Confinement, Death, Excrement, and Murder
daniellekat's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A perfect blend for readers who love character books and readers who love plot books.
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book that I couldn’t put down. The beginning was confusing and slow, but the writing was worth pushing through. I’m glad I didn’t know much about this going in because I think that really helped me enjoy it and reflect on it. I wasn’t sure about the ending as soon as I had finished, but going back to read it again made me bump up my original rating.
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book that I couldn’t put down. The beginning was confusing and slow, but the writing was worth pushing through. I’m glad I didn’t know much about this going in because I think that really helped me enjoy it and reflect on it. I wasn’t sure about the ending as soon as I had finished, but going back to read it again made me bump up my original rating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Confinement, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Mental illness and Gun violence
Minor: Murder, Violence, and Vomit
ambers's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
3.5
I'm of two minds about this book. I read the whole thing in one sitting, and I honestly thought I was going to give it 5/5 stars. Then, as I started to think about it, I changed that to 4/5. At the time of actually siting down to write this review, I've dropped it to 3.5/5.
Why? There was obviously plenty that I loved, given my knee jerk reaction. The lush writing, the strange ecology, the dreamlike quality and its descent into nightmare - all of that was fantastic. Unfortunately, I can't get past the author's choice to write her only gay character as a predatory villain with a pattern of taking advantage of younger men, including lumping his sexuality in with his 'transgressive' nature (which explicitly includes several despicable acts). It isn't that queer characters can't be villains (although I would, honestly, caution authors to be careful of that regardless - being aware of harmful tropes is important), but this particular blend of using sexuality to highlight someone's perversion is harmful and dated. The longer I sit with that, the more I sour on this book. It's a real shame, because Piranesi could've been something beautiful.
Why? There was obviously plenty that I loved, given my knee jerk reaction. The lush writing, the strange ecology, the dreamlike quality and its descent into nightmare - all of that was fantastic. Unfortunately, I can't get past the author's choice to write her only gay character as a predatory villain with a pattern of taking advantage of younger men, including lumping his sexuality in with his 'transgressive' nature (which explicitly includes several despicable acts). It isn't that queer characters can't be villains (although I would, honestly, caution authors to be careful of that regardless - being aware of harmful tropes is important), but this particular blend of using sexuality to highlight someone's perversion is harmful and dated. The longer I sit with that, the more I sour on this book. It's a real shame, because Piranesi could've been something beautiful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Confinement
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, and Murder
queenie_ofthe_void's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
3.5
The mystery was intense and it had me hooked start to finish. I loved Piranesi as a character, as tragic as he was. It brushed right up against the myth of the Labyrinth, but it wasn't so overt that it felt redundant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Dementia, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Slavery, Confinement, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Homophobia, Murder, Rape, Death, Grief, Adult/minor relationship, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse
reclusivebookslug's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Nothing like what I expected but absolutely brilliant. Something about the narrator's voice reminded me of Jonathan Livingston Seagull and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. I recently learned the term "innocent narrator" and this is a great example. He is so unceasingly kind it makes my heart ache. Mystery is one of my least favorite genres, but I really enjoyed the mystery element of this story. I don't feel like I fully "got" this book; maybe I need more time to think about it or reread it sometime.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Minor: Sexual violence, Murder, and Death
tmickey's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Confinement
Moderate: Kidnapping and Gun violence
Minor: Suicide, Murder, and Vomit