Reviews tagging 'Cursing'

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

64 reviews

desiderium_incarnate's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.75

This was a pretty surprising read. I would say it starts with fantasy, then adds in some dark academia and towards the ends becomes a bit of a thriller. I did not expect that. It was also a quick read and well written. 

It gives you a lot to think about, which can be nice. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

caseythereader's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, and Kidnapping

Minor: Fire/Fire injury

akardian's review against another edition

mysterious slow-paced

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

3.75

This is a beautifully written book. A lot of space is spent describing the physical space, which you’re seeing through the innocent eyes of the main character. The book was very strange, not in a negative way but I certainly haven’t read another book like it. While it turns into a sort of mystery story, I think the prose would make the book enjoyable on a second read even if you know the plot. Vibe wise I would say it’s similar to the show The OA. 
I think you would not like this book if you desire world building, a fast pace, a plot focused book, or a diverse set of characters. I would also advise to look at the trigger warnings (while not major themes of the book, there’s talk of mental health breakdowns, violence, cult activity, abusive mentor/mentee relationships). 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Slavery, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Gaslighting

violerwolf's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

Susanna Clarke asks the bold question: what if “The Backrooms” wasn’t a boring horror gimmick? 

Intriguing mysteries, deep symbolism and philosophical reflection, and a riveting but small cast of characters make this book impossible to put down. I can’t wait to reread it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, and Gaslighting

Minor: Child death, Cursing, Homophobia, and Vomit

Somewhat spoilers, kept as vague as possible:

A character suffers from memory loss/amnesia.

sunn_bleach's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

It’s a good problem to have when my biggest criticism is “I wish it were longer”. And I deeply, deeply do - not only to explore the House  that is God, but to simply have more time with Piranesi before the plot hits hard, the resolution of which never truly lived up to the conceit. Borgesian is an easy analogy; I found “Piranesi” more abjectly beautiful and celebratory in capital-m Mystery, with the caveat that the epistolary form doesn’t work as well when the action and dialogue pick up in the second half. Sad, contemplative, yet affirming. The last sentence is a gutpunch.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Confinement and Gun violence

Minor: Child death and Cursing

ebp's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Slavery, Violence, Murder, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Animal death, Child death, Cursing, and Injury/Injury detail

becca_w_'s review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring mysterious fast-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, Murder, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Vomit

Minor: Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Grief, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

mobymaize's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-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

What a truly joyful, kind, and beautiful read. Piranesi reminds me of my dreams of endless homes, endless reflections of life & the love of the world & its inhabitants that I hold so dear. 

Holy fuck this book rocks. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, and Abandonment

Moderate: Homophobia

sunflower7skull's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

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

3.5

Very interesting book. Very psychological with a very slow start, but I found it very intruiging as I continued, especially with the unreliable narrator aspect. I enjoyed the mystery, though I found it somewhat predictable at times. I honestly don't get the hype myself, but I can see why others would like it! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Torture, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

Moderate: Cursing, Violence, and Blood

Minor: Homophobia, Mental illness, Excrement, and Vomit

Warning for amnesia / character not in stable mindset at all!

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: Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Cursing, Gun violence, and Mental illness

Minor: Excrement