Umm, I’m not convinced…
This enigmatic fantasy is the 5th book I’ve read (or attempted to read) as part of The Women’s Prize Shortlist Challenge. This took me half a day to read and its mysterious manner certainly helps pull in its audience.
I suspect the novel’s unique style could see it crowned the winner of the prize but, for me, it is not my winner. A few issues for it with me:
1. I don’t particularly enjoy reading copious description of statues and towers an d their exact position in relation to each other - or, indeed, lists!
2. It seemed obvious to me (and everyone else I’ve asked) what was happening to the protagonist (I’m trying to say this without giving anything away so excuse the extreme vagueness) about 40 pages in and, then, from that point, it all became a tad predictable and I kept waiting for shock plot twists that didn’t come.
3) I didn’t (and someone may be able to help me here!) understand the point, purpose or motivation of the whole situation and characters. Did we ever truly learn the reason Piranesi was in this place? What was the knowledge they were searching for? I’m not sure and most of the internet doesn’t seem to know either! Most of these seem to come away thinking the novel insanely clever; I was found it more baffling and purposeless…!
I suspect the novel’s unique style could see it crowned the winner of the prize but, for me, it is not my winner. A few issues for it with me:
1. I don’t particularly enjoy reading copious description of statues and towers an d their exact position in relation to each other - or, indeed, lists!
2. It seemed obvious to me (and everyone else I’ve asked) what was happening to the protagonist (I’m trying to say this without giving anything away so excuse the extreme vagueness) about 40 pages in and, then, from that point, it all became a tad predictable and I kept waiting for shock plot twists that didn’t come.
3) I didn’t (and someone may be able to help me here!) understand the point, purpose or motivation of the whole situation and characters. Did we ever truly learn the reason Piranesi was in this place? What was the knowledge they were searching for? I’m not sure and most of the internet doesn’t seem to know either! Most of these seem to come away thinking the novel insanely clever; I was found it more baffling and purposeless…!