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A review by moontayne
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective relaxing tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

I think this book just shot up to my #1 spot. As I sit here having finished it, I'm not sure how to feel - the adventure that Piranesi went through in this journal, and the unfurling of the story and the characters and the labyrinth, were incredible. I had no clue what to expect in this book, I was absolutely stunned with where it went, and I'm excited to potentially read it again or suggest it in a book club. For anybody who likes mystery, exploration, and science, this book carves a really special niche for itself.

Funnily enough, there's some parallel between this book (it's labyrinth and house) and House of Leaves. But unlike House of Leaves, where Will Navidson is unexpectedly thrown into a noneuclidian unknown of a home he didn't expect to be so large, Piranesi is a comfortable resident in his labyrinth - he loves it, and the Beloved Child of the House its Waters. He is calm and happy there, which is so neat to see compared to the horror of House of Leaves.

Overall, I really, really recommend this book. It was so lovely and mysterious and had such good twists, turns, and emotions. And MAN I love the journal format for books. That could play into my love for this book - it just feels so easy to immerse in the perspective of Piranesi and experience the story.
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