Piranesi is set in a maze of ruined chambers populated by birds, and dotted with skeletons and statues
Susanna Clarke's award-winning Piranesi was the subject of March's meeting of Tyneside Book Club.
This mind-bending meditation had a lot of admirers, but left a few members cold. While some felt it was among the best of contemporary literature, others found its fantastical premise unengaging, and decided to bail from the book early.
The fans of the book were just about in the majority, finding a lot of depth in what was a comparatively short novel. Multiple themes were explored from our connections to our more primitive selves, to care for the environment around us.
Those who liked the book found the character of Piranesi appealing, and loved the world created by the author. They found pleasure in the writing and philosophy of the novel, but also appreciated its page-turning qualities as it reached its conclusion.
Some wondered whether it was a manifestation of a form of mental breakdown, but others bought the unusual scenario set out by the author. For fans, the conclusion felt satisfying and nuanced. There were clearly influences on show from Borges to Ursula Le Guin, but this was still a very distinctive work of fiction.
Those who struggled more with the book found the fantasy setting unengaging, and were rather lost and confused in the strange world Clarke created. They found the characters unengaging and did not feel invested in the outcome.
There were some though who struggled at first, but became more engaged as Piranesi reached its conclusion and its mysteries began to be revealed.
All agreed this was a good choice, with much for members to discuss and reflect on.
This mind-bending meditation had a lot of admirers, but left a few members cold. While some felt it was among the best of contemporary literature, others found its fantastical premise unengaging, and decided to bail from the book early.
The fans of the book were just about in the majority, finding a lot of depth in what was a comparatively short novel. Multiple themes were explored from our connections to our more primitive selves, to care for the environment around us.
Those who liked the book found the character of Piranesi appealing, and loved the world created by the author. They found pleasure in the writing and philosophy of the novel, but also appreciated its page-turning qualities as it reached its conclusion.
Some wondered whether it was a manifestation of a form of mental breakdown, but others bought the unusual scenario set out by the author. For fans, the conclusion felt satisfying and nuanced. There were clearly influences on show from Borges to Ursula Le Guin, but this was still a very distinctive work of fiction.
Those who struggled more with the book found the fantasy setting unengaging, and were rather lost and confused in the strange world Clarke created. They found the characters unengaging and did not feel invested in the outcome.
There were some though who struggled at first, but became more engaged as Piranesi reached its conclusion and its mysteries began to be revealed.
All agreed this was a good choice, with much for members to discuss and reflect on.
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