It is safe to say that “Piranesi” is a book that is not for everyone, it targets a specific type of reader. But as Piranesi explores, evidence emerges of another person, and a terrible truth begins to unravel, revealing a world beyond the one Piranesi has always known.įor readers of Neil Gaiman’s The Ocean at the End of the Lane and fans of Madeline Miller’s Circe, Piranesi introduces an astonishing new world, an infinite labyrinth, full of startling images and surreal beauty, haunted by the tides and the clouds.įrom the New York Times bestselling author of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, an intoxicating, hypnotic new novel set in a dreamlike alternative reality. There is one other person in the house-a man called The Other, who visits Piranesi twice a week and asks for help with research into A Great and Secret Knowledge. But Piranesi is not afraid he understands the tides as he understands the pattern of the labyrinth itself. Within the labyrinth of halls an ocean is imprisoned waves thunder up staircases, rooms are flooded in an instant. 4 1/2 stars.Piranesi’s house is no ordinary building: its rooms are infinite, its corridors endless, its walls are lined with thousands upon thousands of statues, each one different from all the others. Read this book, let yourself be caught by the wave, let go, don’t over-analyse and enjoy the ride! It twisted and spun me around and I got caught by different undercurrents, but all the time I felt perfectly safe. Sitting in the House, a powerful ocean wave came along and swallowed me completely. My experience of reading Piranesi was like a scene taken right out of the book. Clarke was struggling with an illness, eventually identified as chronic fatigue syndrome, whilst writing the novel. Themes such as isolation and identity may have reflected the author’s own state of mind. It all came together in this strange, unsettling story, which I found unique. Ideas from Plato’s Cave were utilised as well. But it did enable me to spot all the references to this book, which were scattered around in Piranesi in a playful manner. Lewis’ The Magician’s Nephew, which I didn’t particularly enjoy. Even if the mystery is fully explained, there is more than enough to ponder on. Constantly, my mind was searching for clues, wondered about the symbolic meaning of the statues, looked for allegoric interpretations of The House and analysed the juxtaposition of The House and our world. In some sense, Piranesi is a simple little story. But I enjoyed everything and found the gradual transition, towards more mundane matters, illustrating certain points about humans’ relation to reality. Some readers may prefer the first part of the book, which is beautifully written and filled with wonder. What is this world? Who is Piranesi? How did he get there? Still, it is great fun trying to work out the details.Īs the story progresses towards revelation of the mystery, the dreamy otherworldly atmosphere gradually dissolves. Readers will relatively quickly get an idea of what lies behind. The author alludes to this all along via quotes, names and hints. Piranesi’s ability to appreciate and to adapt gives him the potential to find happiness or at least contentment in life, in a way which would never be possible for The Other. These opposite life attitudes are central. The former doesn’t appreciate the The House in its own right and only ascribes value to any gains or powers, The House may be able to provide. In this respect, The Other is depicted as the antithesis to Piranesi. However, Piranesi has achieved a state of contentment, living in an almost symbiotic harmony with The House. Cold and bare, with only Piranesi and The Other present, surviving isn’t easy. Like Piranesi, I started to sense the magic of the House and I loved how every day was filled with exploration and discovery. I guess subconsciously, I must have let go of my rational mind and returned to an almost child-like state of wonder. Without much notice, I suddenly found myself in the House with Piranesi, completely mesmerised by the endless halls filled with statues and a mysterious ocean flowing throughout. What went wrong? I used to be so good at picking them.Īnd then it happened. And when Piranesi at first sight appeared to be an endless list of journal entries, I was seriously starting to doubt my own judgement. I’ve had mixed success with my recent reads.
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