Book Review: Piranesi by Sussana Clarke

★★★★★

"Once, men and women were able to turn themselves into eagles and fly immense distances..."

I picked up Piranesi with absolutely no expectations.

In fact, I have a habit of approaching popular books with a healthy amount of skepticism. More often than not, my reading tastes diverge from the general consensus, so I rarely trust hype alone to convince me. Yet from the very first page, Piranesi swept me off my feet.

There is something immediately enchanting about the novel. The setting is unlike anything I have encountered before: vast, mysterious, and impossible to fully grasp. Through Piranesi's journals, observations, and routines, Susanna Clarke slowly invites the reader into a world that feels both dreamlike and tangible. I found myself completely invested in every diary entry, every discovery, and every attempt to understand the strange reality he (Piranesi) inhabits.

What impressed me most was Clarke's writing. Her prose is elegant without being overwhelming, and her character work is remarkable. Piranesi is one of those rare protagonists whose perspective becomes the heart of the novel. Watching the world through his eyes is both fascinating and deeply moving. His curiosity, kindness, and unwavering attention to his surroundings transform even the smallest details into something meaningful.

One of the greatest strengths of Piranesi is that it rewards patience. The less you know before starting it, the better. Much of the magic lies in uncovering its mysteries alongside the protagonist, which makes it difficult to discuss in detail without risking spoilers. For that reason, I will simply say that the novel continuously surprised me while never losing sight of its emotional core.

Although the book is often associated with fantasy, it also carries a peculiar dark-academia atmosphere: hidden knowledge, obscure scholarship, forgotten histories, and the pursuit of truths that perhaps should remain buried. Yet it never feels derivative. Clarke takes familiar elements and reshapes them into something entirely her own.

At just over 200 pages, Piranesi is a relatively quick read, making it one of the easiest recommendations I can give. It is imaginative, beautifully written, and utterly memorable. Long after finishing it, I found myself thinking about its halls, its statues, and the quiet wisdom woven throughout its pages.

This is a rare five-star read for me.

And perhaps the highest compliment I can give it is this: it left me eager to spend more time in Susanna Clarke's imagination. I cannot wait to finally tackle her other celebrated work, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. If Piranesi is any indication, I suspect I am in for something special.

Rating: ★★★★★