The final review of 2020 is for Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. It’s only now, after reading Piranesi, that I’ve dared crack open Clarke’s massive debut novel, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Wonderfully, Piranesi is a super slim second novel. Wonderful because I love how she’s subverted expectations but following a saga with a short novel, because even though it’s short, there is so much packed into Piranesi pages. A full world world, all of its theories, backstory and characters are gently and fully explored, in some of the greatest first person narration I’ve read all year. Piranesi is a genius book. It’s fascinating. It lies a little beyond explanation, making it a book you need to read to fully grasp the plot and ideas, but once you start, there is not one moment where you’ll regret joining Piranesi on his journey.
Now I’m 56 pages in to Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, and I think about Piranesi.
Now I’m 56 pages in to Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, and I think about Piranesi.