New York Times Bestseller Winner of the Women's Prize for Fiction World Fantasy Awards Finalist From the New York Times bestselling author of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, an intoxicating, hypnotic new novel set in a dreamlike alternative reality. Piranesi's house is no ordinary building: its rooms are infinite, its corridors endless, its walls are lined with thousands upon thousands of statues, each one different from all the others. Within the labyrinth of halls an ocean is imprisoned; waves thunder up staircases, rooms are flooded in an instant. But Piranesi is not afraid; he understands the tides as he understands the pattern of the labyrinth itself. He lives to explore the house. There is one other person in the house-a man called The Other, who visits Piranesi twice a week and asks for help with research into A Great and Secret Knowledge. But as Piranesi explores, evidence emerges of another person, and a terrible truth begins to unravel, revealing a world beyond the one Piranesi has always known. For readers of Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane and fans of Madeline Miller's Circe, Piranesi introduces an astonishing new world, an infinite labyrinth, full of startling images and surreal beauty, haunted by the tides and the clouds.
Average Rating
Informations
About the author
Susanna Clarke
Author
Susanna Mary Clarke is an English author best known for her debut novel Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (2004), a Hugo Award-winning alternative history. Clarke began Jonathan Strange in 1993 and worked on it during her spare time. For the next decade, she published short stories from the Strange universe, but it was not until 2003 that Bloomsbury bought her manuscript and began work on its publication. The novel became a best-seller.
Piranesi
by Susanna Clarke
Books Like Piranesi
If you're looking for books similar to Piranesi, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Susanna Clarke
Another novel by Clarke that explores magical realism and alternative historical worlds. The book features intricate worldbuilding and a deep exploration of magic's nature and impact. Like Piranesi, it creates a richly detailed universe that feels both familiar and utterly strange. The narrative combines meticulous detail with a sense of mysterious wonder.
Circe
Madeline Miller
A mythological reimagining that transforms a classical character into a complex, powerful protagonist. The novel shares Piranesi's themes of isolation, self-discovery, and magical transformation. Miller's lyrical writing style creates an immersive world that blends reality and mythology. The protagonist's journey of understanding herself and her environment echoes Piranesi's exploration of his infinite house.
The Night Circus
Erin Morgenstern
A magical novel that creates an extraordinary, dreamlike environment. The story explores a mysterious, magical world that exists parallel to ordinary reality. Like Piranesi, it features intricate worldbuilding and a sense of wonder beyond normal perception. The narrative creates a rich, immersive experience that challenges conventional storytelling.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
Neil Gaiman
A haunting fantasy novel that explores memory, childhood, and magical realism. Like Piranesi, it features a protagonist navigating a mysterious and surreal world beyond normal perception. The story blends reality and fantasy in a dreamlike narrative that challenges the boundaries of ordinary experience. Gaiman's lyrical prose and otherworldly atmosphere create a similar sense of wonder and disorientation.
The Starless Sea
Erin Morgenstern
A magical realist novel about hidden worlds and interconnected stories. The book features a mysterious, expansive underground realm that parallels Piranesi's infinite house. Morgenstern's lyrical prose and imaginative worldbuilding create a sense of wonder and exploration. The narrative blends reality and fantasy in a dreamlike, immersive experience.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
V.E. Schwab
A fantasy novel exploring themes of memory, existence, and magical transformation. The protagonist experiences a unique relationship with time and perception, similar to Piranesi's unusual world. Schwab creates a narrative that blends reality and magical elements in a deeply personal story. The book challenges traditional narrative structures and explores identity.
The Bear and the Nightingale
Katherine Arden
A fantasy novel rooted in Russian folklore that creates a magical, atmospheric world. The story explores themes of perception, magic, and personal discovery. Like Piranesi, it features a protagonist navigating a mysterious environment beyond ordinary reality. Arden's lyrical prose creates an immersive, enchanting narrative.
House of Leaves
Mark Z. Danielewski
An experimental novel that explores the concept of an impossible, shifting architectural space. The book shares Piranesi's fascination with labyrinthine environments and psychological disorientation. Its complex narrative structure and exploration of perception challenge traditional storytelling. The house becomes a character itself, much like in Piranesi's infinite dwelling.
The Golem and the Jinni
Helene Wecker
A historical fantasy that blends magical realism with intricate worldbuilding. The novel explores characters navigating between different worlds and perceptions. Like Piranesi, it creates a rich, immersive environment that feels both familiar and strange. The narrative combines mythological elements with deep character exploration.
The Buried Giant
Kazuo Ishiguro
A mythical novel that explores memory, perception, and mysterious environments. The story blends historical fiction with fantastical elements, creating a dreamlike narrative. Like Piranesi, it challenges traditional storytelling and explores complex psychological landscapes. Ishiguro's prose creates a haunting, introspective experience.
No account connected — sign in to comment.