Who Would Like This Book:
Piranesi is a beautifully strange, atmospheric novel that blends fantasy, mystery, and philosophy into something truly unique. Susanna Clarke crafts a haunting world full of endless marble halls, statues, and tides, seen through the eyes of an innocent, curious, and surprisingly content protagonist. It’s a puzzle box of a book - a slow unraveling of both world and self - that rewards attentive readers with a sense of wonder. If you love immersive world-building, enjoy unraveling mysteries alongside the narrator, or just want to lose yourself in something both contemplative and otherworldly (think Borges, Le Guin, or Narnia with a twist), this one’s for you.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers may bounce off Piranesi's slow, meandering pace or find the initial lack of context frustrating. The narrative voice is deliberate and unusual, and the story leans into feeling over detailed explanation - so if you crave fast-paced action or straightforward answers, you might get impatient. Others found the ending either a bit too abrupt, bittersweet, or felt that some intriguing themes and plot points weren’t explored deeply enough. If you’re not attracted to literary, ambiguous, or philosophical stories, this may not be your cup of tea.
About:
'Piranesi' by Susanna Clarke is a genre-bending oddball that unfolds a mysterious world through the eyes of the narrator who lives in a vast house, which to him, is the whole world. As the story progresses, the House slowly reveals its secrets, leading the narrator to rediscover himself while questioning everything he thought he knew. captures themes of memory, identity, and mental health, creating a fascinating and claustrophobic atmosphere that keeps readers intrigued till the end.
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From The Publisher:
A SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
WINNER OF THE KITSCHIES RED TENTACLE AWARD
The spectacular new novel from the bestselling author of JONATHAN STRANGE & MR NORRELL, 'one of our greatest living authors' New York Magazine
Piranesi lives in the House. Perhaps he always has.
In his notebooks, day after day, he makes a clear and careful record of its wonders: the labyrinth of halls, the thousands upon thousands of statues, the tides that thunder up staircases, the clouds that move in slow procession through the upper halls. On Tuesdays and Fridays Piranesi sees his friend, the Other. At other times he brings tributes of food to the Dead. But mostly, he is alone.
Messages begin to appear, scratched out in chalk on the pavements. There is someone new in the House. But who are they and what do they want? Are they a friend or do they bring destruction and madness as the Other claims?
Lost texts must be found; secrets must be uncovered. The world that Piranesi thought he knew is becoming strange and dangerous.
The Beauty of the House is immeasurable; its Kindness infinite.
*****
'What a world Susanna Clarke conjures into being … Piranesi is an exquisite puzzle-box' DAVID MITCHELL
'It subverts expectations throughout … Utterly otherworldly' Guardian
'Piranesi astonished me. It is a miraculous and luminous feat of storytelling' MADELINE MILLER
'Brilliantly singular' Sunday Times
'A gorgeous, spellbinding mystery … This book is a treasure, washed up upon a forgotten shore, waiting to be discovered' ERIN MORGENSTERN
'Head-spinning … Fully imagined and richly evoked' Telegraph
Ratings (677)
Incredible (216) | |
Loved It (222) | |
Liked It (118) | |
It Was OK (68) | |
Did Not Like (43) | |
Hated It (10) |
Reader Stats (1617):
Read It (686) | |
Currently Reading (13) | |
Want To Read (680) | |
Did Not Finish (33) | |
Not Interested (205) |
27 comment(s)
i recommend that everyone read this the way that i read the first five chapters, which is fighting sleep against 10mg of doxepin while you read the ebook tummy-down
An utterly captivating book—the setting, the mystery, the language. I devoured it, and loved the entire journey.
A unique little treasure of a novel. The labyrinthine world - both a paradise and a prison - is the perfect setting for this strange book with its slow, hypnotic unraveling of mystery.
Unique and ambient. Mysterious, surprising and lovely
Piranesi is one of those quietly mesmerizing books that lingers in your mind long after you've finished it. Susanna Clarke crafts a strange, surreal world that feels both vast and claustrophobic. A house that seems endless, with tides that rise through marble halls and statues that stand in silent witness. As I read, I couldn't help but envision this setting as a reinterpretation of Daedalus' labyrinth - the same mythic prison Icarus tried to escape. That parallel added an intriguing layer for me: the maze as both sanctuary and snare.
Pirasnesi, the narrator, is endearing and oddly innocent, and following his gradual realization of the truth was both compelling and heartbreaking. The novel doesn't aim to be a life-changing read, but it is a solid, beautifully written meditation on solitude, knowledge, and the fragility of reality.
I wouldn't call it a favorite of all time, but I enjoyed it and would recommend it to readers who like their fiction a bit mysterious, a bit mythical, and rich with atmosphere.
Piranesi presented a mixed experience for me, with aspects I genuinely enjoyed and others that left me wanting more.
What I Liked:
1. Compelling Initial Premise and World: The core concept of the labyrinthine House and its mysterious inhabitants immediately captivated me. The initial glimpse into this unique world felt truly amazing and full of promise.
2. Intriguing Protagonist: The protagonist's rational approach and his desire to explore and understand his environment were engaging. I appreciated his observational nature and his methodical way of interacting with the House.
What I Didn't Like:
1. Inconsistent Protagonist Intelligence: As the story progressed, I felt the protagonist's perceived cleverness diminished. His actions and deductions didn't always align with the rational and observant character he initially appeared to be, which was disappointing.
2. Disappointing Plot Development: The unfolding plot, unfortunately, felt like a letdown. What started with such potential seemed to lose its way, and the revelations didn't quite deliver the impact I had hoped for.
3. Unfulfilled Potential: Ultimately, I believe this story had the potential to be truly amazing. Had the initial premise been combined with more robust character development, deeper world-building, and a more compelling plot, it could have been a standout novel.
This book was astounding. Confusing yet alluring, it kept me rapt throughout, and after I finished, it took me days to sort out my thoughts. Loved it - it definitely left an impact on me.
This book is a puzzle. I will not soon forget the main character or the atmosphere of the World. Go in blind if you can!
May your Paths be safe, your Floors unbroken and may the House fill your eyes with Beauty.
"The quiet and the solitude attract her strongly. In them she hopes to find what she needs"
What a captivating mystery, expertly crafted unreliable narration, beautifully vivid imagery. An absolute page-turner that consistently doles out unexpected plot reveals with flawless pacing. All at once deeply philosophical, dramatic, and incredibly suspenseful. Massive props to Suzanna Clarke, I cannot wait to read her other works. "The Beauty of The House is immeasurable; its Kindness infinite."
What can you read after
Piranesi?
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