Scan barcode
A review by ghiblies
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
5.0
This book is phenomenal. I’ve never read anything like this, not even Susanna Clarke’s first book.
The first chapter was a bit of a hurdle for me, but once I got past that first bit, something just clicked. It was beautiful, the way the mystery unfolded so methodically, combined with a very meticulous and rhythmic style of narration. It created a very haunting, almost hushed atmosphere. I also loved the mythical and vast feeling you got while reading this, but it’s also intimate, like you’re being let in on a brilliant secret that never knew you needed to be in on.
And if I could just have a moment for this immaculate quote (put in a spoiler for caution):"It began to snow. The low clouds made a grey ceiling for the city; the snow muffled the noise of the cars until it became almost rhythmical; a steady, shushing noise, like the sound of tides beating endlessly on marble walls.
I closed my eyes. I felt calm."
If you've read Piranesi then you'll understand why I find this moment so heart-wrenching. It’s so good you guys. Please read it.
The first chapter was a bit of a hurdle for me, but once I got past that first bit, something just clicked. It was beautiful, the way the mystery unfolded so methodically, combined with a very meticulous and rhythmic style of narration. It created a very haunting, almost hushed atmosphere. I also loved the mythical and vast feeling you got while reading this, but it’s also intimate, like you’re being let in on a brilliant secret that never knew you needed to be in on.
And if I could just have a moment for this immaculate quote (put in a spoiler for caution):
I closed my eyes. I felt calm."
If you've read Piranesi then you'll understand why I find this moment so heart-wrenching. It’s so good you guys. Please read it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Excrement, and Kidnapping