A review by syinhui
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

Piranesi explores the possibility of a scenario where you wake up one day and find yourself completely alone. You are in a strange and mystical house where an ocean seems to be imprisoned within it. The house has infinite labyrinthine halls that are filled with thousands upon thousands of marble statues. 

What would you do and how would you make sense of it? 

In your solitude and the absurdity of your environment, will you be overwhelmed by despair and lose all hope? Will the loneliness eat you up till it drives you mad? Will you be an unwitting victim of the tides and succumb to its sweet embrace? 

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The haunting yet peaceful atmosphere of the House gives you an inexplicable sense of calm… and dread. A feeling akin to staring at the sea in the middle of the night. 

I find Piranesi’s appreciation and reverence for the House very endearing. He is just the sweetest and most charming unreliable narrator (to some extent) I ever had the pleasure of reading. It’s worth noting that his unreliability is neither deliberate nor malicious! He genuinely believes in the truth of his experiences and observations which adds an additional layer of depth to the story and complexity to his character.

A unique and whimsical book. Certainly worth reading.