The House is valuable because it is the House. It is enough in and of Itself. It is not the means to an end.
Piranesi
An unexpected read from a few weeks ago. Susanna Clarke is best known for Jonathan Strange (which I haven’t read… yet!). I saw this book featured on Amazon and I got tempted. This is clearly not my usual read, but the blurb was so mysterious I couldn’t ignore.
This book is magical realism which means it includes elements of science-fiction and fantasy in a realistic world. I felt like the genres blended so well it was hard to put my finger on what it was exactly.
This is one of those books that leave something special in your heart. I am afraid my review will not express how much I loved it, but hopefully, you will want to read it and make this world grow inside you.
Let’s meet a very special man called Piranesi!
Cover
A very strange cover art. It piqued my curiosity but the back matter really hooked me. I believe the cover does not do the story justice though it is still all right. I hope they will release alternative covers in the future.
Synopsis
Piranesi lives in a very special house and his sole purpose is to explore it.
Statues from a distant past and ancient people adorn the rooms; unexpected tides flood the lower levels of the House and no one except for the Other lives there.
Who is Piranesi? What is this House? Who is the Other?
So many questions laden with mystery that will carry you through an unforgettable journey.
Characters
Perhaps even people you like and admire immensely can make you see the World in ways you would rather not.
Piranesi
Piranesi is the main character and lives a solitary life exploring the House.
The Other is the only other entity Piranesi communicates with and is very mysterious.
The House is the foundation of this book and the most dreadful, beautiful and mysterious thing I have read in years.
Worldbuilding
The Beauty of the House is immeasurable; its Kindness infinite.
Piranesi
A world with infinite possibilities is introduced here. Through the eyes of Piranesi we discover parts of it, its rules, but we are left with a feeling of wonder, imagining what else is out there.
Susanna Clarke did an astounding job at coming up with such an interesting world that breathes life.
What I think
The beauty of this book is how deep the psychological development of Piranesi is. It is mind-blowing! It is beautiful, candid, sometimes sad, but you can feel a vulnerability that is unbelievably moving.
It made me think about how the world would be a different place if we were more like Piranesi, in tune with the world. The underlying message of this book is so profound I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface. I will definitely have to reread it in the future.
The main location of the story is oh so mysterious and I wish I could explore it myself. All the things that are left unsaid add to the beauty of this masterpiece. Just to give you an idea, I read this book a couple of months ago and I still think about it.
Piranesi is BY FAR my favorite read of 2021 and I hope Susanna Clarke will write more books.
May your Paths be safe, your Floors unbroken and may the House fill your eyes with Beauty.
Piranesi
To add it to your shelf on Goodreads: Add the book
To get the book:
