A review by madisonmc
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

adventurous dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I find this book immensely personal. And the world building within the first hundred pages is beyond anything I could imagine someone has the ability to create. Piranesi summaries this book perfectly when he says 

“It has a strange atmosphere that is difticult to describe precisely. It is majestic, mysterious and at the same time, full of Presence.”

I read this over the course of one day, and the entire time I was equal parts captivated and enchanted by the world and equal parts stressing over what is about to unfold. There is a mystery, and the plot does flow ever so calmly, but there are moments when your heart does race. However this it truly it is all about the vibes. Susanna Clarke could remove the plot all together and I would still rate this novel and just want to explore the many halls.

To summarise; this book is written for people that seek the beauty in nature, in the stars and moon, in marble sculptures, coal and bodies of water both still and turbulent. If listing to the ocean brings you peace, than I think you will truly get lost in this tale and never want to leave. 

“I spent two or three hours putting them back in, all the pretty things that I have found or made: seashells, coral beads, pearls, tiny pebbles and interesting fishbones.”