I had been waiting for a long time for another book from this author. While I don't think anything can top Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell (and the subsequent Ladies of Grace Adieu), this did not disappoint. It's not what I expected, but who could ever have expected this odd and dreamlike tale? Beautifully written, this will keep you guessing until the end, and then you will continue to wonder about it.
Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.

Judging by this blurb, the book seems promising! Reminds me of one of my favorite fantasy/mythology books Circe. If you are a fan of Miller's work then I feel like you should pick up Susanna Clarke's newest novel "Piranesi". Though slow to get into, the detailed descriptions and world building are phenomenal and worth sticking with it.

This novel was an unexpectedly brilliant and a sanity-saving read during the peak of the pandemic. I couldn’t concentrate on any other books, but Clarke’s strangely haunting novel connected with me on a level I still can’t explain. I reveled in the strangeness of the ancient, yet eternal setting, and the ambiguity of Piranisi’s character. At a time when I felt my most unmoored, This novel allowed me to ride safely and meaningfully on the literal and figurative waves of uncertainty. I can’t stop thinking about it and I recommend it for those who are willing to brave the unknown.

Just from this excerpt, I can tell that I'm going to like the rest of the book. It's dark and atmospheric and a little weird, and I'm all here for it. This is one of those books that I know I have to be in the mood to read, but once ready, I'm excited to enjoy the rest of this one!

I appreciate the opportunity to read an excerpt of this novel.  Unfortunately, it is not a style that I prefer and was a bit difficult for me to "get into".  For those enjoying this genre and writing style, I think this would be a beautiful option for them.  It's just not for me.

Please see my Youtube video (link below) for the full review. 

Susannah Clarke has created a wonderful and complex world that I loved getting lost in. The vivid descriptions of a house with endless rooms whose walls are lined with intricate sculptures held my attention, and I loved exploring the world. But the real wonder of this book is how the story unravels around us. There are so many mysteries to make sense of and trying to piece everything together alongside our main character. This book reads like part fantasy, part mystery, and part nature journal and it's just a wonderful read. I love the way it explores themes of religion and spirituality and how they relate to science and progress and the quest for knowledge. I am amazed at how this rather short book evoked so many philosophic thoughts and illusions to other works and yet would still be enjoyable and rich without all that knowledge. I'd recommend this book if you like quirky books, mysteries, fantasy, or dark academia, but also if you like beautifully written nature prose.

For me, this is the best book of 2020. Well worth the wait from Susanna Clarke since Strange & Norrell, though I hope the next wait isn't so long. A cryptic and fascinating novel and I am loving telling my customers all about it.

God what a fascinating book! Despite the brevity of the excerpt I was completely taken in by it and have just requested it from my family for Christmas. I am ready to be astounded and amazed.

What I mostly adored was the beautiful description of the house, the tides, the statues, the various "people" in the house. It all felt just real enough to ground the magic of Clarke's writing.

I never got the chance to read this one before it was archived, but the idea behind it is so promising! I'm truly grateful for the publisher giving me a chance to read it, and will be looking for a physical copy in my local bookstore.

I must admit this excerpt piqued my interest, although I'm not sure if it was enough to buy the book. If you are a fantasy reader, this might be quite appealing. The setting of the story takes place in a world full of understandable things (oceans, statues, neighbors, etc) but are presented in such unexpected ways that you're not quite sure what kind of world it is after all. The excerpt doesn't give anything away as to what's going on, and if the rest of the book goes on like that, I think I'd find it a tedious read, but I'm assuming the mystery of the setting gets slowly revealed as the story unfolds. Definitely worth reading the excerpt to see if it's your cup of tea!

Once again Clarke surprises and delights with a unique story that immediately intrigues. What an opening. Can't wait to read the full novel.

Glorious. UTTERLY GLORIOUS. An inside-out puzzle box of a book stuffed with hope and humor and dark and delightful revelations, this book feels like a gift in a year defined primarily by dread. (Yes, I have since read the full thing and that's what my review is about.)

I can't wait to read it now. 
I am already placed the order for the hardbound. 
From what little I read this book seems like a puzzle. I need to get to the end of it and solve it really quick.
This book can be one of my 5 star reads this year and one of the best books of all times.

Very esoteric - not sure if this is a sequel to a previous book?
The narrative takes you immediately into a post apocalyptic world, or house, seemingly with only two human survivors. 
Beautifully written, but I am not sure whether I could read an entire book like this.

Thank you for providing me with an excerpt of this much anticipated book!

At first I was a bit put off about the obscurity of the names/times but I tried not to take this on board and to just follow the line of the story, and I'm really glad I did because I began to love the unusual nature of the language and the narrators way of speaking.

I really love the concept of this book. The idea of a labyrinth and somebodies whole universe caught inside of one (albeit very unusual) building is so intriguing, so interesting and unusual. The house itself is shrouded in mystery as it is caught up in the skies and the seas. The beginning of the story gets you asking so many questions that you want to read the rest in order to answer them. 

I really enjoyed this extract and it definitely made me want to read the rest of the book! I am a huge fan of Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, so I can't wait to dive into the rest of this book.

Not exactly my cup of tea, though it is beautifully executed. Strong echoes of the voice/rhythms of Italo Calvino’s “Invisible Cities.”

I really liked this except, can't wait to read the whole book. I enjoyed author's writing style and I am really curious how will the story go further.

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
5⭐

Do you believe in magic?
And do you ever wonder why an author has written a novel?

This novel feels like the author was handed an assignment: Write a novel about magic, from an academic perspective. Create an argument for the existence of other worlds which is realistic, believable, and will cause the reader to question their own reality!

And it's difficult to talk about the plot, or the characters without sharing spoilers!
It's probably the most difficult review I've ever written for that exact reason! 
So, instead of talking about either the plot or characters, I'm going to talk about which readers I think this will appeal to.

▪️ You'll like it if you have a curious mind. If you find the sciences interesting. If you like to tackle puzzles, and increase your understanding of the world.

▪️ You'll like it, if like Alice (in Wonderland), you'd follow that white rabbit. Consume the strange drink in the strangely labeled bottle, and open the tiny door without question.

▪️ You'll like it if you're intrigued by magicians tricks, and sleight of hand. If you've ever watched a magician's show and tried to analyse their movements to 'see' the moment the 'magic' occurs.

▪️You'll like it if you remember believing in magic as a child. And perhaps the exact moment that changed!

The novel is incredibly cleverly written. Is beautifully evocative, ethereal and magical, yet at the same time a whimsical contemplation of solitude, and the meaning of true happiness. And perhaps the meaning of life as a whole.
It's sinister, and creepy too, and will have you at the edge of your seat reading compulsively late into the night.

And. That. Ending!!
Highly recommend.

**This novel would make the perfect bookclub read.

When I requested this book, I did not realize it was an excerpt only.  I enjoyed what I read enough to get the full edition, which will be on my queue to read.

This excerpt was tantalizing I loved the mystery and the character and wanted to find out more. I hope the rest of the novel is as good.