Piranesi in Books and Brews - Leander Public Library

Jan 04, 2023 Josie rated it liked it · review of another edition

Piranesi starts off over my current concentration abilities. I started this book in November 2022 for a book club, stopped after a few pages, willed myself to read more, couldn't do it, then ended up at the meeting not having finished. A lady there kindly let me borrow her physical book (I borrowed a kindle version from the library, but it expired). I didn't pick it up again until this week (1/23). I had a cold today, giving me plenty of down time to read. Borrowing someone's personal book was m Piranesi starts off over my current concentration abilities. I started this book in November 2022 for a book club, stopped after a few pages, willed myself to read more, couldn't do it, then ended up at the meeting not having finished. A lady there kindly let me borrow her physical book (I borrowed a kindle version from the library, but it expired). I didn't pick it up again until this week (1/23). I had a cold today, giving me plenty of down time to read. Borrowing someone's personal book was motivation to finish! Mostly it's the various hall names that would make me drift. Numbers make me sleepy.

The book has mystery, occultism, reality, along with psychological and cognitive insights. I enjoyed reading this even though it took some time for me to get into. I probably wouldn't recommend it to everyone. I would, however, recommend giving it a try if the plot intrigues you at all. The ending is satisfactory + most questions are answered.

I liked the lessons learned from the main character, the pleasant and gracious way he was throughout the book. Neat perspective to read from his journaling too. Ms. Clarke has a brilliant mind - I'm impressed with how she brought everything together. Lots of neat quotes I'll share at the end. It would be cool if someone drew out the different halls/what the House looked like. I'll have to look that up!
3.8 stars because I liked it, but not my usual cup o' tea.

Quotes:

"The World feels Complete and Whole, and I, its Child, fit into it seamlessly."

"My first great insight happened when I realized how much humankind had lost...They were all enamored with the idea of progress and believed that whatever was new must be superior to what was old. As if merit was a function of chronology!"

"May your paths be safe, your floors unbroken and may the house fil your eyes with beauty."

"When they observed the world, the world observed them back. If, for example, they travelled in a boat on a river, then the river was in some way aware of carrying them on its back and had in fact agreed to it. When they looked up to the stars, the constellations were not simply patterns enabling them to organize what they saw, they were vehicles of meaning, a never-ending flow of information. The world was constantly speaking to Ancient Man."

"...had a long drink of water. It was delicious and refreshing(it had been a Cloud only hours before)."

"Perhaps that is what it is like being with other people. Perhaps even people you like and admire immensely can make you see the World in ways you would rather not." ...more

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