Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

‘Piranesi. It is what he calls me. Which is strange because as far as I remember it is not my name.’

Piranesi’s house echoes a lost world with infinite rooms, endless corridors, and statues. There is an ocean beneath, some rooms flood when the tides rise. It is a labyrinth; one which Piranesi is documenting as he travels through it.

There is another person who visits Piranesi twice a week. Piranesi refers to him as The Other, and he wants Piranesi’s help.

And so, the reader is invited into Piranesi’s labyrinth. The reader only sees what Piranesi sees, can only interpret what is seen through his eyes. Many questions are raised. Who is Piranesi? Where is he? How did he get there? What is he doing? What is the role of The Other?

While the reading journey only took me a couple of hours, the story, and the labyrinth itself has lodged in my mind. Beautiful images and an intriguing puzzle.

The less you know about this story as you open the pages, the better. Join Piranesi and take the journey with him. You may be surprised, and you may be concerned, but persist. It will not take long, and it may take forever.

‘The Beauty of the House is immeasurable; its Kindness infinite.’

Jennifer Cameron-Smith