A review by hannahbailey
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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? Yes

3.0

There are some interesting ideas and solid writing here. I loved the descriptions of the 'house'. I particularly enjoyed the idea that some things seem so unbelievable that the real truth remains buried. How much of stuff irl do we find too outlandish to be true that actually is in fact, completely real? Do we have to see something with our own eyes to actually believe it? Would I not believe someone I loved if they could see something I couldn't? It definitely provoked some very philosophical thoughts.

That's where my praise for the novel ends. For a short book, it felt painfully long. I didn't feel like I was getting anywhere with the narrative, and the journal entries were mostly boring. I thought there must be a hidden message within the entries, but if there was one, I couldn't find it. The editor in me wanted to go back and scratch out half the entries so that we could get to the point quicker (I'm sure fans of this book will tell me they all mean something)!

When we did get to the point I couldn't help but be disappointed.
I'm never a fan of a book set in an unknown, mystical, supernatural place that is then revealed to be within our own boring world (like in an urban fantasy for example). I just find it so jarring. And in this case, incredibly underwhelming. I see its merits but it's just not to my personal taste!
That said, I was quite gripped by the ending - it just wasn't enough to improve my overall view of the book!

TW: kidnapping, gaslighting, confinement, mental illness, death, emotional abuse
Expand filter menu Content Warnings