Reviews tagging 'Excrement'

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

51 reviews

tifftastic87's review against another edition

mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Piranesi lives in what he calls "the House" collecting data and making notes. There is no one living with him, just the Other, who visits twice a week and asks questions. One of these questions is strange and Piranesi starts looking back over his data and everything starts slowly coming to light. 

The story was definitely slow, atmospheric and mysterious. We only find things out as Piranesi does and are just as confused as he is most of the time. I honestly didnt put it together until near the end and was so pleased with it. 

Another "just vibes" book but any attempt at describing vibes would spoil the book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Confinement, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Cursing, Mental illness, and Gun violence

Minor: Excrement

nayyira's review against another edition

reflective relaxing

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, and Excrement

jovial_glider's review against another edition

emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Confinement, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Mental illness

Minor: Excrement and Murder

pia_004's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Excrement, Physical abuse, and Kidnapping

angieincaps's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Mental illness, Abandonment, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Gun violence and Vomit

Minor: Excrement

crazytourists_books's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated

2.0

Now I know how it would feel like if I were high on lsd or magic mushrooms. 
It was different, that's for sure. Different from everything I have ever read. But being different doesn't mean being special. It was a quick read, but lukewarm. With too many repetitions of words and phrases; I understand why, but that doesn't mean it wasn't annoying. And that end... Pffff

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Confinement, Death, Excrement, and Murder

lissybeth91's review against another edition

dark hopeful mysterious reflective fast-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

5.0

You know how there are some characters who, within the first few pages, you know you would gladly die for?

Piranesi is one of those characters. His open, eager attitude, coupled with a scientific precision and an utter humility is  incredibly charming. I would gladly have read his journal entries about his explorations of The House even without the mysterious plot simmering in the background.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Excrement, Gaslighting, Slavery, Death, Confinement, and Kidnapping

Minor: Vomit

taleofabibliophile's review against another edition

mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, and Cursing

Minor: Excrement, Mental illness, Fatphobia, Slavery, and Vomit

ayamaro's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping and Confinement

Moderate: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Death, Drug use, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Mental illness

Minor: Fatphobia

englishrobin210's review against another edition

fast-paced

2.75

Interesting little book (esp the beginning!), but once the mystery starting unraveling I lost a bit of interest in the second half. Very atmospheric and loved Piranesi as a main character. The House was fascinating and I wish would could have spent more time with the labyrinth and the statues. Something that irked me was

Spoiler

when Arne-Sayles was revealed to be a predatory gay man. Frankly, an unnecessary detail for the story and put a bad taste in my mouth for the rest of the book.

If you liked this concept but prefer more thoughtful portrayals of queer characters and more time spent on worldbuilding, I recommend The Starless Sea. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Gun violence, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Trafficking, Murder, and Slavery

Minor: Sexual assault, Excrement, and Pedophilia