Piranesi | 
I talked my way in to a “fantasy” exhibit at the British Library a few weeks ago and I was delighted to find that they had borrowed Susannah Clarke‘s original drawings of the halls in Piranesi. Absolutely fascinating how she planned it all out!
pick4½✨
Such a strange, unique, brilliant little story.
I thoroughly enjoyed every minute I sent with Piranesi.
Will be on the lookout for Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
pickI don't really know how to rate this. This was definitely a very unique experience and I have to give the author credit for composing such a dream-like novel, but I also feel a bit cheated because this was advertised as a fantasy novel, but it comes off more sci-fi.
It's very fascinating but also an enigma.
pick14 Dec-15 Jan 24
A soft pick - for most of the book I was wondering whether to finish. Something about Clarke‘s writing, and the book‘s brevity, kept me reading. I am pleased I did
Piranesi lives seemingly alone in a labyrinthine house full of statues near the sea, observing the rise and fall of tides and the comings and goings of the natural world. Twice a week he meets with The Other to report his findings. Until a third person enters the house.
Up next for book club. #FirstSaturdayReaders
pickI had high expectations going into this, but it surpassed them. This book does an amazing job of revealing the story bit by bit, and you start to question and realize what‘s actually real, what‘s really going on, and who can be trusted. The story is told mostly in journal entries, so it‘s so immersive, and it‘s truly just one of the most imaginative books I‘ve read in a long time. This is sneaking in at the end as my favorite fiction of the year!
so-soA highly rated book which turned out to be the opposite for me. I honestly thought it‘s Greek mythology but it turned out differently that confused me. In the end, though it was well written, the story is not my cup of tea. My rating is 2/5. This is the last book for the year for me and I hope for a better read in 2024!
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!!
pickThis small book has a complex story inside it. It took me awhile to understand what was going on and when I did I was totally surprised and a bit uncomfortable for some reason. I think it is quite a difficult read even though it is a short one. I might need to read it again. I also think this story has a quite interesting mental health angles to it.
pickPiranesi lives in an enigmatic and intriguing house, gradually revealed to us in the form of his journal entries. I wasn‘t sure at first but I quickly fell for his naive charm and the incredible world he inhabits, and in the end I didn‘t want to leave. 8/10
#wondrouswednesday @Eggs
Thanks for the tag, @RaeLovesToRead 😁
1. Ok
2. The atmosphere, the setting, the MC's inner monologue and ruminations on the strange circumstances in which he finds himself, the pacing/gradual reveal of the truth behind those circumstances, etc.
3. Discworld!
Tag @julesG @TheSpineView @ozma.of.oz @ImperfectCJ @Gissy @IuliaC @Bookwomble and anyone else who's interested.
pickThe 1st part of the book is intentionally confusing & not what I was expecting. What a strange treat to read a book where you are disoriented and unsure of what's happening at the beginning. Reminded me of “Room”. Piranesi is childlike in his observations & loyalty. As the reality became clearer it was so interesting. This author never quite clicks for me, but this one was fascinating & I particularly loved it on audio. It felt like Gaiman to me.
pickI was instantly enchanted by this book, and could have read it all in one sitting if I'd had the time. A meditation on existence, loneliness, gratitude...there's a ton to unpack. Consensus seems to be that the story starts off slow and then things pick up midway through, but for me the first half of the book was my favorite, and the answer to the mystery of who and where Piranesi is was secondary. This one will stay with me for some time.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Such a unique & thought-provoking read. Fantastical elements of Other Worlds and magic, but also an exploration of philosophy, faith, and reason. I honestly wasn‘t sure what was happening during a lot of the book, but I think maybe that was the point? Regardless, I enjoyed every minute of it. #50in50
pickThis story was fascinating. It's a plot where, as the story goes on, the reader knows more than the main character, and so much of the story is trying to figure out who will know what when. But that happens alongside this huge and mysterious world where the narrator knows much more than the reader does. It's a fascinating balance, told well. Clarke's writing style adds to the story, giving it a sense of mystery and charm.
pickI enjoyed this fairly short read. I was fascinated by the world building and noted some Narnia vibes. I was curious to see if that would go further, but then it moved more towards mystery. There were times when I wanted more detail, more answers, but I also felt like it all worked out the way it should.
#LitsyBookClub
Yesterday was my last day of school, so I started this book last night and am having a bit of a lazy morning reading more of it with breakfast. That single strawberry is one of the first to ripen in my little patch. I‘m thoroughly intrigued by this book so far and am curious if see where it goes.
#LitsyBookClub #TeachersOfLitsy #BookAndBreakfast #ReadAndEat
pickThis was unlike anything I‘ve read before, enticing and with a hint of strangeness. I wanted to keep listening. Chiwetel Ejiofor was a fabulous narrator. Piranesi wanders the halls of this labyrinth world: the house. He calls himself the beloved child of the house and remains in constant awe of it. But through his loneliness and curiosity, little by little, the mysteries of the house are revealed… ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“…the wisdom of the bird lies not with the individual, but with the flock.”
I wanted to actually read this one but my TBR pile is overflowing, so I sampled it. I love Chiwetel Ejiofor‘s voice so I opted for this as my next listen 😁
I‘m only about 30 pages in, but so far this book is wild!! I have no idea what‘s going on and am not mad about it. #huey #catsoflitsy
Photo to go with the book? 🙂 what do you think?
pickWhile this novel has a doleful sadness to it (reminding me very much of J.S&Mr.N oddly enough) but the writing is keen and the story is satisfyingly brilliant - sucked this up like a vacuum cleaner on cocaine- loved it!
pick4.75/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌖 it starts off slow but picks up about 50 pages in and it‘s brilliant.
pickI don‘t know how to talk about this book…it‘s a fantasy, a mystery, a thriller, a meditation, a quest. The title character conveys an innocence and beauty of being that is singularly difficult to describe but amazing to experience. It brings a magic to the everyday, somehow, and left me astounded and wondering. I am profoundly moved by this book and cannot recommend it enough.
pickThis was yet another #auldlangspine rec from @BarbaraJean
It was a little hard to get into for the first few chapters, but I pushed through based on all the good reviews that said it would be worth it... and I agree- it's worth it! The story is so unique it's hard to describe. I can't imagine the process the author used to write it- the brilliance is how and when the truth is revealed to the reader. Very good!
pick5 stars
This is my THIRD read through of this treasure and it really has solidified it as my favorite book. I annotated and tabbed as I read, and wow - the analogies and symbolism are so incredible that it's almost on a biblical level. What really stood out to me in this read through was the concept of identity. The book is about not only what saves and defines Piranesi, but what propels him forward: that he is the Beloved Child of the House. ♥️
pickReally really good! Very bizarre but I loved piecing everything together and it's left me with much to ponder. The prose is gorgeous too
8 books down, 92 to go! #JumpStart2023
pickI love thinking about what made this novel such a runaway hit. You can enjoy the world of the novel or the philosophical questions it poses. Although I did enjoy thinking up theories, the world drew me in more than anything. It's got so little in it - two people, statues, large rooms, water, birds, fish, a couple skeletons - and that is somehow enough in combination with Clark's storytelling to make for a completely immersive reading experience.
pickThis is one of my favourite books that I‘ve read recently! Brilliantly innovative and the world building is exquisite. I truly felt like I was in the grand halls and seeing the ocean and the statues, I didn‘t want the story to end. I‘ve also read some reviews of people finding the descriptions too much and Piranesi‘s constant documentation tedious but I love that kind of ordered confusion. I wish I could read it for the first time again! Recommend
pickI adored this book. I devoured it when first came out a couple years ago…the images it created , the exquisite storytelling and oh! The waves, the waves! It is one of those small but mighty books-It has stayed w me as a movie would- image upon image, senses all alight.
I recently discovered the work of artist Pablo Genoves and his Dystopia series (a few pictured above) instantly called to mind the wet, decaying labyrinth of Piranesi‘s house.
🖤
bailedI couldn‘t settle into this one. Could be that I‘m also knee deep in research for my thesis paper. Anyway, it‘s back on my TBR pile and I‘ve picked up Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus instead.
#ukkindledeal would work for #booked2023 prompt 17 - chosen because of weird review or book was more weird than expected.
@Cinfhen @alisiakae @BarbaraTheBibliophage
