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A review by syd991
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Piranesi is a wonderful story, told in a rather unique fashion. I’ve only read a couple books that use this same storytelling technique, but Piranesi does it so beautifully.
The beginning was slow, primarily because I had no idea what was going on half the time, but that may just be me. The specificity of the house made me want to create a map in my head, and that wouldn’t go well for anyone. The size is enough to make any map-maker quit, I have no idea how Susanna Clarke kept track of it all.
Where things took a turn is the middle/last third of the book. I had finally caught up with everything, and this is where the plot speeds up. Without this section, I think I’d still be here trying to decipher this book. After reading other reviews, I feel like this is a general consensus, that the book is beautiful, but it doesn’t pick up until the last third.
Highly recommend, if not for the beautiful story, for Susanna Clarke’s magnificent writing style alone.
The beginning was slow, primarily because I had no idea what was going on half the time, but that may just be me. The specificity of the house made me want to create a map in my head, and that wouldn’t go well for anyone. The size is enough to make any map-maker quit, I have no idea how Susanna Clarke kept track of it all.
Where things took a turn is the middle/last third of the book. I had finally caught up with everything, and this is where the plot speeds up. Without this section, I think I’d still be here trying to decipher this book. After reading other reviews, I feel like this is a general consensus, that the book is beautiful, but it doesn’t pick up until the last third.
Highly recommend, if not for the beautiful story, for Susanna Clarke’s magnificent writing style alone.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, and Violence
Minor: Child death and Gun violence