A review by thebetterstory
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Well, that was a lovely thing.

I liked it best at the very beginning, when the World was all that Piranesi knew. His descriptions of the House, his errands, and the small shifts in life with which he marks time are enchanting, and reminiscent of one of my favourite of all books, The Slow Regard of Silent Things.

 
Eventually the real world intrudes. It is carefully done, and the way the mystery unfolds is gripping. It's to the book's credit that it understands that you, too, will grow fascinated with the House and have mixed feelings about Matthew/Piranesi returning to it. It's nice, too, that the way back isn't barred to him when he does.


I'll admit to being a little annoyed that the World
representing all the lost knowledge, magic and splendour of Ancient Man
is entirely Greco-Roman based, which seems a bit short-sighted given the immensity of the 
Earth and all its cultures. There isn't so much as a nod to anything that isn't strictly European-focused. It feels like a failure of imagination, or an old-fashioned colonial mindset, to think that's a good representation of all of humanity.
 

Altogether, however, it's easy to recommend—those who don't like the eventual thriller elements may well enjoy the quiet beginning, and vice versa. It's also short, and doesn't add any more than it needs to, which is refreshing in a world of bloated fiction.
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