Book Reco # 11: Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
A book if you want to go on a weird, meditative, and heart-warming reading journey.
Hello Everyone!
Today I’d like to share one of the best reading experience I ever had!
Part fantasy, part mystery (as in missing people and patching up clues), Piranesi took me on an unexpected journey. The book Piranesi is written as journal entries by Piranesi (the main character). His journal entries gave such wonderful insights that it made me write a journal after! The tone is written in an innocent, energetic, child-like wonder that immediately drew me in. Piranesi writes about his explorations around the House, reminding me of my niece's exploration stories.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 stars
The story centers around Piranesi and the House he lives in - a labyrinth-like structure with many halls lined with different statues. Piranesi doesn't know when and how he got into the House, but the clues slowly reveal themselves gradually. Because of the book's structure, I had to go back and read previous chapters as Piranesi discovers himself and how he came about in the House. Like finally realizing how to solve a puzzle!
Reading Piranesi is like being in a meditative state. It brings me calm and joy. It makes me Enough. His thoughts are so pure and kind. I love how he talks about the House and you can feel that he puts the House in high-regard despite it being inhospitable. If only I could share Piranesi's mindset in times of my own difficult situations.
I actually don't know what this book is about. It feels like an allegory to something I don't understand yet. Or maybe I just read too much into it. Or maybe we aren’t meant to discover its meaning but just enjoy the experience of reading it. I have read this book twice now and thoroughly enjoyed each time. It helps that it's fast-paced and only 250 pages long! Just the experience of reading this type of book warmed my heart and reminded me why I love stories. I hope you find Piranesi endearing as I did. My favorite part of this book is Piranesi himself.