April Spotlight // Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

Oh no! I almost forgot to post my April Spotlight…better late than never, right?!

My Thoughts:

Piranesi was an 18th century Italian artist and architect who drew fictional prisons with endless rooms, halls, and staircases. He divided these rooms into thirds – the bottom third was underwater, the top third was in the clouds, and the middle third is where humans lived. This setting is the backdrop of Clarke’s novel, Piranesi.

And as far as background information, that’s all I’m going to give you becase I felt like this imagery would have helped me settle into the scenery just a wee bit more.

I personally think it’s best to go into this one as blind as possible. The unfolding of this atmosphere and characters is part of the thrill and mystery and totally compelled me to turn page after page as I tried to figure out what the heck was going on! Piranesi, the main character, lives in this labrinynth of staircases and statues. Even though the book is short (~240 pages), the story was complex and intricate and masterful. I couldn’t help but to think of other magical-ish stories (The Starless Sea and The Night Circus) though those comparisons are in atmospheric and world-building only.

I truly don’t know how to describe this book except that I’m glad I read it. It was immersive and it has really made me think. I know it will stick with me and I myself will return to this place (whatever it is) over and over again. On advice from previous readers, you really have to stick with this one until at least the 60-page mark and it suddenly opens up into a beautiful exploration of….🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️. I can’t think of a better book club selection because I could sit and unpack this one forever!!!