A review by 5aru
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring mysterious slow-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I honestly don't know what to say that will do this book justice. It is truly an experience to watch the protagonist's evolving process of thought and perception of his own identity through his writing, which he attempts to keep scientific and methodical. It is a wonderful metaphor and, at the same time, a wistful story; a reflection on the self and its relationship to the world, and also a mysterious tale about a curious character who inhabits a seemingly magical labyrinth. The pacing is perfect - you find things out slowly, but not slowly enough that it becomes boring; it is well thought-out and the story's development, as well as the reactions it elicits from Piranesi, is exquisite. I really have nothing but praise for Ms Clarke - she'd already done it with Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, and she has done it yet again.
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