A review by meganemarshall
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I don't know how I feel about Piranesi. I feel like it's the kind of book that you have to sit on. I'm still pretty kinda confused after reading. The basic story was obvious the 'mystery' was simple. I am left wondering if I'm missing some big philosophical question that this book poses, which  just went completely over my head.

I did enjoy the book. I had a good time reading it.  I liked the Labyrinth. I found it to be peaceful,  beautiful, and calming. To me, Piranesi was a simpler lifestyle where the focus was survival/needs but overall peaceful. And in comparison Other was modern times - cruel, violent, and chaotic. Maybe it's supposed to be a metaphor for finding peace and a sense of purpose in religion/worship of whoever/whatever. That it's about the act itself, not the specifics. 

Or maybe I'm trying to assign a deeper meeting into a book that's supposed to be surface level. Overall, I did like the book even though it's going to give me an existential crisis.
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