emperor: (Default)
emperor ([personal profile] emperor) wrote2021-10-27 08:02 pm

Piranesi, Susanna Clarke

This is the last of the Hugo novel shortlist.

It's a strange and beautiful book; an enigma. Try and read it without spoilers the first time! The narrator lives in the House, a vast labyrinth of halls filled with statues of things that do not otherwise exist in the House. The upper levels are cloud, and the lower levels filled with water. The only other person in the House is the Other, who calls the narrator Piranesi. The narrator is studying the house, trying to learn of its wonders.

This is a book that will reward a re-read, I think, although I don't know whether I will thereafter like it more or less. There's a lot going on here, and the ending felt like it was fair, too (which isn't universal in mystery stories!)
doseybat: (Default)

[personal profile] doseybat 2021-10-27 07:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Adored that book! But will admit the final parts and the ending weren't up to the beginning for me, didn't enjoy being brought back to the unpleasant reality
booklectica: my face (Default)

[personal profile] booklectica 2021-10-28 07:46 am (UTC)(link)
Loved that book. I haven't reread it yet and will also be interested to see what it's like the second time.

[personal profile] the_elyan 2021-10-28 06:01 pm (UTC)(link)
I loved Piranesi, and may read it again soon, to enjoy a few more layers of it...
rmc28: Rachel in hockey gear on the frozen fen at Upware, near Cambridge (Default)

[personal profile] rmc28 2021-10-28 08:46 pm (UTC)(link)

I liked it, and am glad I managed to read it unspoiled, but didn't love it.

kaberett: Trans symbol with Swiss Army knife tools at other positions around the central circle. (Default)

[personal profile] kaberett 2022-01-17 05:19 pm (UTC)(link)
I entirely agree re strange & beautiful, and I am grateful for the "try to read it without spoilers" -- I think this admonition is the one that had me being even more careful than usual up until I got to it, and I'm very glad of it!