Do you like books that feel like a puzzle?

Piranesi by Suzanna Clarke is a 5 stars read that will definitely read like a puzzle.

I went into this novel completely blind and I am so glad that I did. Piranesi offers a truly unique reading experience filled with wonder and mystery, as we follow our main character on his task of discovering and documenting the House.

"The Beauty of the House is immeasurable; its' Kindness infinite"

Piranesi's prose is gripping, thought-provoking and yet perplexing. Part of this novel's charm is in its' requirement from the reader to pick up and unravel literary clues as we move through the story and try to solve the mystery of the House and our protagonist. And Piranesi is a truly delightful protagonist. His strive to be good and kindness for those around him made it a pleasure to follow him on this journey.

Reading this novel felt like looking at a painting. Like a painting the World of Piranesi references our reality but exists in its' own realm and is driven by its' own logic. The House is mesmerising yet also slightly disorientating. Yet just like with viewing a painting, the more time a reader spends with the story, the deeper their understanding will get.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Classic references in the Piranesi. I would not go into this book expecting a Greek Mythology retelling, instead I think this novel references the Classic revival in art and philosophy during the 18th Century. This can be seen from the title, which alludes to the Italian archaeologist and architect Giovanni Battista Piranesi and his 'Imaginary Prisons', to the topography of the House and Piranesi's demeanour which can be described as having "noble simplicity and calm grandeur" a famous quote used by 18th Century art historian Joan Joachim Winckelmann to describe Greek masterpieces. Furthermore, Piranesi's sense of discovery and passion for carefully observing the world around him in his diaries could also hint at the developments in archaeology and scientific thought during the Enlightenment period.

Overall Piranesi is a lyrical, immersive and intriguing read that I would definitely recommend.