Reviews with content warning for Excrement - Piranesi

Reviews tagging 'Excrement'

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

72 reviews

paintinyourwing's review against another edition

challenging inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense slow-paced

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

4.75

There's so much to say about this book. I went into it pretty much blind because that's what was recommended to me, and I wasn't disappointed!
I have to say though, the first third can feel very slow... I definitely felt that it got very interesting by the 60 page mark and from the halfway point I absolutely couldn't put it down! There's a lot of mystery going on, and as Piranesi figures out what's happening, so does the reader. Granted, the reader might pick up on things just a little quicker but Piranesi is such a lovable (and loving) character that I absolutely didn't mind. This is 100% worth the read!

I took two conscious breaks from reading because given the writing style, it can be hard to read it one sitting. I found it was easier to digest all the information in three parts.

Since I've only just finished a few minutes ago, my initial rating (4.75) might change over the next few days.

Content Warnings

lianaet's review against another edition

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dark emotional 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

5.0

It was certainly a struggle to get through Part 1 of this book, and the rest was still fairly hard to read in big chunks (until this last bit). The confusing aspect of the World is hard to follow most of the time, but you do kind of just have to accept that's how this book is. And it's an important aspect, with Piranesi's character.

Also minor spoilers? Kind of? But this book resonated with me towards the end, with the gaslighting, and the realisation of what's really going on - but still feeling a confusing type of way towards that person. As well that Piranesi is forever changed by the House and what he lived through there.

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yerfillag's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

4.5

I went into reading this completely blind and loved the fact that until quite far in you're not completely certain of what's going on. The worldbuilding while subtle seemed really detailed and engaging. As you're following the POV and internal monologue of the protagonist, you get to reflect on the reliability of your own mind and how our circumstances affect what we consider to be true or possible.

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toffishay's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

This book pulled me in and didn't let me go! I haven't stayed up late to read a book in quite a while, and the fact that I did in this case is really telling. I was intrigued by the House and the questions surrounding it and Piranesi's time there. There is a lot of existential joy and atmospheric beauty to behold in these pages, mixed with mystery and intrigue, and the danger inherent in the belief that you are smarter than everyone else or that you are above the World that holds us all. I think that the book drags a little bit when some revelations are made and then the ending wraps things up in a pleasant, but not amazing way given how interesting most of the book is. it's hard to describe: I wasn't disappointed by the ending, but I was surprised. I went into this book knowing next to nothing about the plot and I was pleasantly surprised in many ways. I'll be thinking about this one for weeks to come.

Content Warnings

itsnotalakeitsanocean's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-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? It's complicated

4.0

I think this book came to me at the perfect time. I see many critics and reviewers claiming that this book is nothing like they've ever read. Part of me agrees, but the part of me who is currently on a Remedy Entertainment Universe (if you couldn't tell from my recent reviews) feels like this book could slot in as a spinoff eerily well between Control and Alan Wake 2 (the book came out after the former but before the latter). I guess I'm a sucker for potentially sentient "Houses" that reflect Jungian concepts such as the collective unconscious.

Things I liked:

Even though I could predict where the plot was going to go, I still enjoyed reading how it happened. One of the themes of the story is about the destination being more important than the journey, and it takes guts and skill to incorporate it into the plot.
Clarke does an incredible job of making a liminal space feel lived in by its main character without completely forgoing the fact it is a liminal space.
The magic elements felt believable and thought out without going into too much detail so as to take away the mystique of it all.

Things I didn't like:

It was a bit of a slow-paced beginning and I think the introduction of The House and Piranesi's daily life in it could have been cut down to one chapter instead of being spread across a couple.
Although I think the open ending suits the book well, I feel like Matthew's return to the real world was wrapped up a bit too quickly and details were just glossed over for the sake of getting the book finished. I'd say I want a sequel but just from the writing, it feels like Clarke wanted this to just be a standalone book which I respect.

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00phantom's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective sad 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

Content Warning Note:
If you struggle with existential, reality anxiety. Likely not a good book for you. Triggering for me.

Contains a depiction of something similar to DID or OSDD so also be wary of that.

Writing was amazing. The themes were cool. But just hit too close to home for me in some ways.

Content Warnings

taylormoore's review against another edition

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hopeful mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

Content Warnings

becca_w_'s review against another edition

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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

Content Warnings

sunflower7skull's review against another edition

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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!

Content Warnings

danasaur's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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