A review by ellsmagicshop
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.5

“𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙱𝚎𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚢 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙷𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎; 𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝙺𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚒𝚗𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚎.”

I just knew this was going to be absolute perfection after reading Erin Morgenstern's & Madeline Miller's blurbs.

to say that I am blown away is an understatement. this was such a compelling mix of fantastical and paradoxical. it felt as though the author's writing style emulated a labyrinth itself which made the setting more tangible.

I really love how it was written from the pov of Piranesi's journals -- especially towards the end when we learn the truth of his identity. after the truth behind his past was revealed, it was interesting how Piranesi considered Matthew a separate identity who merely remained a small part of who he ultimately became.

while I loved this book, my only complaint is that it did not feel long enough. the world building was so fascinating and I would have loved to learn more about it in depth.

it's books like these that remind me why I love storytelling so much. this is definitely going to stick with me for a long time ♡