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.

Looks like a promising book! I hope to get a copy of the book so I can read the book in its entirety.

Comments on an excerpt from Pirinisi

My initial dip is pleasant. The tone and labyrinth remind me of The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern (s).

And then I start to ask questions. Where does this guy Piranesi come from? Why am I assuming he's male? What is his name if Piranesi isn't it? How does he function as well as he does if hes never known anyone besides the Other? Who does the laundry? Who taught him to cook?

I am intrigued by this world and want to learn more, and I'm also a bit suspicious.

Reviewed on NetGalley

Usually, when I read things that do not meet the expectations I have built up for them based on previous knowledge, I am immensely disappointed. In the case of Susanna Clarke’s Piranesi, I find that my expectations, though not met, were remolded instead of exceeded. This particular story is so elaborate and simple at the same time that it is in itself a labyrinth.

It has been many years since I read a book that showed a different way of thinking about the fictional world and its possibilities of opening up new ways to tell stories. When I began reading, though I was discouraged by the journalistic storytelling because I do not like epistolary novels or novels in journal form whatsoever (which is why I cannot seem to make my way through Dracula, despite the many times I have tried), it took me no time at all to stop feeling like the presentation was a chore to wade through to get to the story and start seeing the journals as puzzle pieces to slowly put together to arrive at a revelation at the end.

What a fantastic read. I’m not sure I will be able to entirely focus on anything so soon after reading this.

Upon opening Piranesi, I had the sense that I’d secretly entered a museum after hours. I love when a story plays with my expectations and completely unravels them. Piranesi seems a peaceful, deep, and simple tale all at once. Reminiscent of Erin Morgenstern’s The Starless Sea, I felt completely transported and connected to Piranesi and his quest for knowledge. Putting together the truth of what happened almost feels like the beginnings of a thriller, unsure what to trust or who to believe. I will definitely be getting a copy for my library! Thank you to Susanna Clarke, Bloomsbury Publishing, and Netgalley for a free excerpt in exchange for honest feedback.

I was only given an except to read so have no idea how the book ends, but that's good because I could not get into the story at all. My excerpt consisted of part 1 and a few pages into part 2. In those pages nothing happened. Rather the first part of the book was devoted to world building - the narrator describing the world she inhabited ad nauseum. In the second part The Other entered the narrative, but that also went nowhere.. Perhaps if I'd read the entire book I might have enjoyed it, Many readers have given it 4 and 5 stars.. I am not a fan and am glad I only received an excerpt so I could go on to a more enjoyable book, .

Excerpt from my review for NPR Books:

What is the nature of magic? What is the nature of reason? Must one cancel out the other? And which is cloaked in a greater illusion?

In her new novel Piranesi, British writer Susanna Clarke limns a magic far more intrinsic than the kind commanded through spells; a magic that is seemingly part of the fabric of the universe and as powerful as a cosmic engine — yet fragile nonetheless.

Clarke stunned readers 16 years ago with her mesmerizing tale of magic's return to England in her debut novel, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. The book became an international bestseller, and was followed by a collection of short stories, The Ladies of Grace Adieu. Then those of us who fell in love with her worlds had a desperately long wait. (Thankfully not nearly as long as those awaiting magic's return in Jonathan Strange.)

Our title character, Piranesi, is another strange fellow. He lives in a world where the words for crisps, biscuits and sausage rolls exist — but the items themselves do not, nor does he seem to think this is odd.

He sees this world as beautiful, and he is filled with rapture as he thinks upon it. It is at first a seemingly small, limited world — but unlike a person stranded on a desert island, Piranesi has no desire for rescue, or even the notion that he should be saved.

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The world — he calls it the House — consists of endless classical halls, like an ancient temple. Piranesi has spent years trying to find the last of these connected rooms, even though there are only three floors. Through the windows he has only ever seen courtyards and walls. But above the House, he can see a limitless sky with sun, moon and stars. Unfathomably, an ocean is trapped in the lower floor — the Drowned Halls; its tides and waves come crashing up the stairs.

The halls are in various states of decay and perfection. Many are filled with statues held in niches or on plinths, though some statues emerge straight from the wall, as if struggling to be born, he thinks. Piranesi's favorite is a faun, faintly smiling with a finger gently pressed to his lips; Piranesi thinks he means to comfort him. At one point when in distress, Piranesi — who's around 35 years old — flings himself up into the giant faun's arms to be cradled by him.

In moments like this — such as when he clings to a statue of a woman carrying a beehive during a flood not as anchor, but as if the statue, again, were a living thing that could save him — the sweetness, the innocence of Piranesi's love for this world is devastating to read. Clarke's writing is clear, sharp — she can cleave your heart in a few short words. In these brief but gut-wrenchingly tender interactions we are felled by the loneliness Piranesi can't fully grasp. The concept is gone from his mind of what he longs for the most...

The mysterious Other. A meticulous scientist. A great House that is the World. And strange Tides.

Susanna Clarke crafts a strange and wonderfully written tale that demands to be read thoughtfully and carefully. I was given an excerpt of the first 26 pages of the book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review and I am already in dire need of more. The wonderful world Clarke has created tugs at my mind and begs me to finish the story. This book is for fans of "The Ten Thousand Doors of January," "The Starless Sea," and anyone who wants to escape to a different world for a while. I am eager to continue reading and would recommend to anyone looking for a great thought-provoking book.

After reading the excerpt Piranesi I found it quirky enough to tempt me into going the full distance. This will either make or break my opinion as I am sitting on the fence at the moment.