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A review by literaryjunarin
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This book defies genre. I don't know how to describe it. I think it's best to dive into this book blindly. That's what I did. I didn't even read the summary.
So there's this House, which is so massive it has ocean on the lower floors and clouds on the upper floors. Piranesi lives in this House alone. The Other, who's an elderly man, visits Piranesi for one hour, twice a week. These parts made the books feel like fantasy with a hint of mythology. The description of the halls and the statues sounds extremely beautiful but haunting.
Piranesi doesn't remember when he arrived at the House but what readers will know is Piranesi has been alone in the house for multiple years now. He spent years exploring the House, writing down meticulous observations and calculations in his journals. The mystery behind the House started unfolding when Piranesi realized that he has missing journals.
This revelation made a huge turn from the fantasy vibe of the book. I was like, "Hold up, hold up, what's this?!". Just when I thought that the story will end with just all that allegory about the archetypes of humanity, the secret about the House and Piranesi punched me in the face.
It was awesome.
So there's this House, which is so massive it has ocean on the lower floors and clouds on the upper floors. Piranesi lives in this House alone. The Other, who's an elderly man, visits Piranesi for one hour, twice a week. These parts made the books feel like fantasy with a hint of mythology. The description of the halls and the statues sounds extremely beautiful but haunting.
Piranesi doesn't remember when he arrived at the House but what readers will know is Piranesi has been alone in the house for multiple years now. He spent years exploring the House, writing down meticulous observations and calculations in his journals. The mystery behind the House started unfolding when Piranesi realized that he has missing journals.
This revelation made a huge turn from the fantasy vibe of the book. I was like, "Hold up, hold up, what's this?!". Just when I thought that the story will end with just all that allegory about the archetypes of humanity, the secret about the House and Piranesi punched me in the face.
It was awesome.