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- Book Title: Piranesi
- Author: Susanna Clarke
- Year Published: September 15, 2020. Please note: As Piranesi was recently released, its copyright must expire before a legal and free PDF version is available.
- Goodreads Rating: 4.22/5
- Availability: Buy the PDF from Google Play Books.
After you have purchased Piranesi, follow these instructions to download it from Google Play Books in PDF format:
- Click on the "Books" tab at the top of your screen.
- Click on the "Your Library" link beneath that.
- Find your book and click the icon with three dots beneath the cover image.
- Select "Export" and then "Export as PDF".
How to Read Piranesi in PDF Format
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Our Review of Piranesi
In "Piranesi," Susanna Clarke crafts a world that feels at once ancient and fantastical, pulling readers into an intricate labyrinth that echoes the works of Giovanni Battista Piranesi. The story’s protagonist, Piranesi, is the lone inhabitant of an infinite, shifting house. This house is not just a structure, but a vast, mysterious world filled with statues, tides, and clouds - elements that seem to govern and define its existence. The book’s setting is a living, breathing entity in itself, and Piranesi, as its observer, spends his days mapping stars, observing the tides, and exploring the seemingly infinite halls.
The narrative unfolds slowly, giving the impression that Piranesi’s world is as much a dream as it is a reality. He shares the house with one other person, a mysterious figure known only as the "Other." The Other is obsessed with uncovering hidden knowledge trapped within the house, leading to cryptic meetings where the two discuss ancient secrets. This relationship, built on mystery and manipulation, is one of the key emotional threads in the book, driving Piranesi to question his role in the house and the origins of his existence.
As the story progresses, Piranesi starts to notice the gaps in his memory, sparking an unraveling of his understanding of the world around him. These missing pieces - those moments of lost time and hidden truths - propel him to investigate the nature of the house, the Other, and even his own identity. The more he uncovers, the more unsettling his reality becomes, blurring the line between solitude and madness. The beauty of the house, its towering statues and mysterious depths, contrasts sharply with the creeping horror of what lies beneath its surface.
At its heart, "Piranesi" is a study of solitude. Piranesi’s days are spent in quiet contemplation, marveling at the strange, beautiful world he inhabits. He is alone, yes, but not lonely. His solitude becomes a defining element of the book, offering an exploration of how isolation can shape one’s perception of reality. The house, both a sanctuary and a prison, becomes a symbol of his inner life - vast, complex, and full of hidden wonders.
The prose itself is lyrical, almost haunting, drawing readers into a meditative pace as the story unfolds. Clarke’s writing recalls the intricate narratives of Jorge Luis Borges and the atmospheric tension of Lovecraftian horror, without ever fully embracing either style. The slow-building tension keeps readers engaged, with every chapter offering a new mystery to unravel, making "Piranesi" a perfect choice for a weekend read.
What makes the book truly worth reading, however, is its sense of discovery - not of new places, but of new ways of seeing the world. Piranesi’s journey is as much about the physical world as it is about the internal one, and his growing awareness of his situation and surroundings leads to a moving, if bittersweet, conclusion. The sense of wonder and the haunting beauty of the house linger long after the final page is turned.
"Piranesi" is a unique and thought-provoking novel that blends elements of fantasy, mystery, and philosophical exploration. If you enjoyed the complex world-building and exploration of power and knowledge in "Babel" by R.F. Kuang, you may find Clarke’s work equally captivating. Both novels delve into the nature of systems—whether they be magical or architectural - and the consequences of living within them.
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