Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell and Piranesi

[Inanna]

Yes, that’s the one. I’ll let you know.

Reviews left me a bit cold. some were “if you loved Circe”... which I was unable to finish. But eh, it’s Clarke.

[Inanna]

I assume you are referring to The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories. I'll be curious to hear what you think of it. I honestly didn't like it nearly as much as JS&MN, but I know others that love it just as much.

It read like leftover footnotes from JS&MN.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

That was my impression as well.

[Inanna]

Finished Piranesi.

I want my money back.

[Jude]

So - not good? I was planning to buy it after I finished re-reading Strange & Norrell.

What's the problem with the book?

[Inanna]

So - not good? I was planning to buy it after I finished re-reading Strange & Norrell.

What's the problem with the book?

Everything?

It’s as far away from JS&MN as, as, as...
words fail me.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

If your expectation was another JS&MN you were definitely bound to be disappointed. It is by all accounts a very different book. I haven't read it yet, but I have read numerous glowing reviews. Here is one:

Susanna Clarke’s astonishing Piranesi proves she’s one of the greatest novelists writing today

[Jude]

Okay, I'll get it from the library instead of buying it.

If you're regretting buying it, at least you can console yourself that you saved me some money.

Edit: cross-posted with Voronwë. The plot thickens! I might end up loving the book after all...

[Voronwë the Faithful]

You can always buy it later if you like it. At least you know not to expect another book like JS&MN.

[Inanna]

Just read that Vox review, thanks, V. Piranesi did not move me, or swallow me whole or anything like that. And it’s not just because of my expectations, I feel. It’s a gripping read, I’m not denying that. But it’s not.... did anyone read the book “who moved my cheese”? Came out ages ago. People went Gaga over its “inner message”; I was all “eh”. The Vox review of Piranesi reads like the reviews of “who moved my cheese”, and my response is similar: “eh”.

The earlier reviews of “If you loved Circe, you will absolutely Piranesi” did ring a warning bell as I was not able finish Circe.

But yes, I would say wait for the library to get it, at least, Jude.

[Alatar]

This is a slightly uncomfortable read but worthwhile I think

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/09/ ... -princess/

[Voronwë the Faithful]

I'm not sure what it says about me that I didn't find that to be at all an uncomfortable read! It just made me more interested in reading Piranesi once my copy finally arrives.

Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

[Inanna]

I thought Alatar was referring to the bit indicating Clarke’s mental state as being uncomfortable. I could see that.

This article did highlight why I love JS&MN so much.

[Alatar]

Yes, I was uncomfortable with the suggestion that her mental illness was the result of writing about Faerie. A little flippant I thought.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Yes, I understood that, and I was pointing out that the fact that that did NOT make me uncomfortable perhaps says something uncomfortable about me. Nonetheless, I am excited to read Piranesi, particularly since other than Inanna, all of the big fans of JS&MN that I know (I am on a Facebook group dedicated to Clarke's writings, so there are quite a few), that have read Piranesi have unanimously loved it.

[Jude]

That's encouraging to hear. Anyway, I've already reserved it at my library, and I really need to buy a new bookshelf before I buy any more books.

[Inanna]

Yes, I understood that, and I was pointing out that the fact that that did NOT make me uncomfortable perhaps says something uncomfortable about me. Nonetheless, I am excited to read Piranesi, particularly since other than Inanna, all of the big fans of JS&MN that I know (I am on a Facebook group dedicated to Clarke's writings, so there are quite a few), that have read Piranesi have unanimously loved it.

Sniff.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Here is my brief, non-spoiler review of Piranesi, after reading it over the past evenings. Piranesi is a extraordinarily compelling, powerful book that is not nearly as "fun" to read as Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. It is, however, extremely meaningful, its just that I don't know what it means. Or rather, I have a shadowy understanding of what it means, but one that I will need to foster, tend and grow over many more readings and probably many years.

I will add that that article that Al posted takes on very different meaning after reading Piranesi.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Here's another glowing, slightly spoilerly, review of Piranesi.

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke review – byzantine and beguiling

This book has made my think a lot, for which I am very grateful. And the more I think, the more impressed I am by what Clarke has accomplished.

[Inanna]

You're going to make me read it again, aren't you?
(Sigh, the burdens I carry)


(;))
(the wink is to ensure V knows I'm kidding about him "making me", even though he is influencing me)