levesc17's review
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
Wow! What an unusual book; lovely and thought provoking, and fantastical. It’s told from one character journaling the whole story and the narrator’s voice is delightful and whimsical which guides you through the mystery of the plot effortlessly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Murder and Vomit
chalkletters's review
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Piranesi was a Christmas gift from Rebecca, and being picked for Fantasy Book Club means I’m actually ‘allowed’ to read it, even though this blog still has more fantasy reviews than any other single genre. I went into it knowing nothing, except that I’d liked what I’d read of Susanna Clarke’s last book, but hadn’t even come close to finishing it. Piranesi is much shorter, but both novels have been written in a metafictional way which foregrounds the process of writing.
Like Beatrice Belladonna Eastwood (The Once and Future Witches), Piranesiis another character who values notebooks and journal-keeping. His journals even have a separate notebook which serves as an index, which will surely excite any bullet journal fans reading! Writing advice often insists that every character needs a goal, but for most of the novel, it’s hard to tell what, exactly, Piranesi is looking for. Despite this, and the fact that he spends much of the book alone, Susanna Clarke keeps his story interesting.
Piranesi’s thought-process is refreshingly different. Like The Napoleon of Notting Hill, Susanna Clarke includes thought-provoking insights which invite the reader to think about how they see their own world. The capitalising of some nouns could be a tad distracting, but the prose is otherwise nicely transparent. Though the mystery of the world inclines the reader to question character’s motives, Piranesi has a much more relaxed atmosphere than The Loneliest Girl in the Universe.
There should be plenty to talk about in book club, though it remains to be seen whether Piranesi will raise as many questions as The Bone Shard Daughter. Either way, it should be interesting!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Gaslighting, Confinement, Kidnapping, Murder, and Gun violence
boneloose's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Gaslighting
hiddeninfantasy's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Kidnapping, Death, Confinement, Abandonment, Blood, Injury/injury detail, Violence, and Cursing
sorcha's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Abandonment
Minor: Kidnapping and Murder
readingcorvid's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Tedious and remarkably shallow for all its mythological references. Then again, fantasy was never my cup of tea. This just reminded me why.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Vomit, and Death
Minor: Child death
audino's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia, Confinement, Kidnapping, Death, Gaslighting, and Mental illness
Minor: Gun violence, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/injury detail
martyna_m's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death
troldmand's review
dark
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Gore, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Body horror
Moderate: Murder, Slavery, and Gun violence
Minor: Vomit
sofiadanielle's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Hmm.
I went into this book pretty blind, not having too much of an idea where this story would go. I have to say, in the first part, I didn’t find myself too drawn to the narrator or the plot of the story.
The story is told in a way that can be confusing, though, it truly reflects the narrator’s state of mind. I find that about halfway through the book, the pace was quickening and more engaging, making me want to keep reading in a way the beginning did not seem to get me.
Honestly a very interesting read. I’m happy to have read it despite any ‘qualms’ I might’ve had upon starting. Interested in Clarke’s other works, now!
I went into this book pretty blind, not having too much of an idea where this story would go. I have to say, in the first part, I didn’t find myself too drawn to the narrator or the plot of the story.
The story is told in a way that can be confusing, though, it truly reflects the narrator’s state of mind. I find that about halfway through the book, the pace was quickening and more engaging, making me want to keep reading in a way the beginning did not seem to get me.
Honestly a very interesting read. I’m happy to have read it despite any ‘qualms’ I might’ve had upon starting. Interested in Clarke’s other works, now!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Kidnapping