11/2021 Piranesi, Entire Book, Spoilers Ahoy

[Whitney]

Here is where we can discuss all things Piranesi.

Some starter questions that can be answered, ignored, scoffed at, or used to wrap fish (preferably ones caught in the drowned halls). As always, any comments, questions, or observations are welcome. There is so much here in this seemingly simple book.

What did you think of Piranesi? Is he the exception to the rule that saintly characters in fiction are dull? And what did you think of Matthew / Piranesi and the choices he made?

What does the house represent, if anything? Why does it make people forget their past? Is Piranesi "wrong" to find instruction in the statues? Do you think that the people (in the end of the book) that Piranesi recognizes as being statues in the house really are, or is he seeing archetypes?

How did you like Clarke's writing style, i.e. Piranesi's voice? Could this book have been written from any other perspective?

More an observation than a question, but part of the book that really stuck with me was Piranesi's decision to leave. He makes the decision because, without the Other, the house will be too lonely. This decision really struck me. As soon as he said it, I felt very differently about the house, it's emptiness and near sterility pushing away some of the magic and beauty. Did anyone else feel this way?

Your humble moderator will be leaving town, so I may not be much involved in the discussion for the next week, but looking forward to everyone's thoughts.

[Bill]

I read Piranesi pretty soon after it came out. I remember really liking the narrator's voice.

Back then we were still in serious lockdown. I wrote in my review:

In our current situation, there's something peculiarly satisfying about the notion of being isolated in our respective Houses, surrounded by ideas and their representations, and (as in the novel's final sentence) appreciative of their beauty and kindness.

I still feel the same way.

[Kathleen]

Used to wrap fish! Love that, Whitney.

There is so much to think about with this book, and it feels so open to possibilities.

I finished it recently, and almost envy Bill his reading during lockdown. I relate to that feeling he describes, like it was good to shut out the rest for a while and appreciate what is around us. For me the statues may have represented our culture, the icons we surround ourselves with, and what they teach us.

The narrative voice was key for me--the way it was innocent but compelling. I thought it was interesting that Matthew was studying transgressive thinking. Did that have anything to do with his susceptibility to/appreciation of the house?

I felt leaving the house was profound too--almost like leaving the womb.

[Whitney]

Bill wrote: "I read Piranesi pretty soon after it came out. I remember really liking the narrator's voice.

Back then we were still in serious lockdown. I wrote in my review: In our current situation, there's s..."

Clarke has commented on how she realized that, suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome, the book was essentially about someone also shut-in their house. No doubt it carries extra resonance for people reading it in a time of lock-down. I think it reflects the different ways people look at Piranesi; Ketterly seeing him as a prisoner, and Piranesi himself seeing himself as absolutely free to explore all the wonders of the house. Clarke speaks to this in an interview I'll post below.

As an introvert, I'm on Piranesi's side. Lock-down meant more of a chance to explore the "important" things, without all those pesky social obligations. My more extroverted friends are no doubt more on the "prisoner" end of belief.

[Whitney]

Kathleen wrote: "... I thought it was interesting that Matthew was studying transgressive thinking. Did that have anything to do with his susceptibility to/appreciation of the house?

I felt leaving the house was profound too--almost like leaving the womb."

These are great observations, Kathleen! Matthew would certainly be more open to the influences of the house as someone who chased alternate ways of thinking. And, absolutely about leaving the house. In a way it's the end of innocence.

[Whitney]

As mentioned in one of the reviews posted in the previous thread, there are many references to C.S. Lewis' Narnia. Ketterly is named after the grasping uncle in The Magician's Nephew, who sends his nephew and his nephew's friend off to explore the multiverse without their consent, and the world they visit has much in common with the house. The faun is a reference to one of the central characters in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

I did a search on "Susanna Clarke Narnia" to see if she had more to say on the subject, and boy howdy does she ever! The below interview is loaded with how she was influenced by Lewis, as well as a lot of discussion on the meaning of Piranesi and the house. Clarke is definitely not one of those writers who refuse to offer interpretations, instead simply declaring that their work speaks for itself. I do recommend reflecting on the book awhile before reading this interview, as it's hard to have a more personal response once the writer has clued you in to their intent. But, then, definitely read it, it's a fantastic interview.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/...

[Mark]

I was charmed by the way Piranesi's personality remained ingenuous and positive even after his return to our world.

[Bill]

Thanks for the entertaining Hindustani Times interview, Whitney. My browser kept feeding me hilarious ads, haha.

I remember enjoying the parts where Piranesi is reading some text, and he's just scratching his head, while we understand what he's reading. Every time the "dishy Italian" reference came up, I just cracked up.

[Mark]

Whitney, that's a delightful interview!

[Kathleen]

I waited a bit as you suggested, Whitney, and just read the article. It's surprisingly revealing!

I love what she says about the ancient people's relationship to the world. That really came through for me in her book. Also that it started as a short story she's thought about for 40 years!

Also this: "That is the thing I am always trying to get right, the story. The story is the plot, yes, but it’s also the events and the characters and the unique atmosphere — the unique taste of that story alone." She certainly achieved that for me.

I enjoyed this so much--even added a few books she mentioned. Thank you, Whitney.

[Whitney]

Bill wrote: "I remember enjoying the parts where Piranesi is reading some text, and he's just scratching his head, while we understand what he's reading. Every time the "dishy Italian" reference came up, I just cracked up."

I also really enjoyed those parts. Especially in that we understand the text more than Piranesi, but it's still only part of the puzzle.

[Whitney]

Kathleen wrote: Also this: "That is the thing I am always trying to get right, the story. The story is the plot, yes, but it’s also the events and the characters and the unique atmosphere — the unique taste of that story alone." She certainly achieved that for me."

This is a good summary quote, for sure. It definitely achieved it for me as well, despite some early skepticism as to whether it was going to be character and atmosphere without much story.

[Bretnie]

I'm late joining the discussion, and I read this back in January, but I loved it. I loved the mystery and the unfolding puzzle pieces. It was one of those books, for me, that would be tough to re-read because I loved the experience of reading it (as opposed to loving the plot or characters) and it would be impossible to recreate that experience.

[Lyn]

I just finished this yesterday, and have found the story deeply resonant, like the tides. I love Piranesi's attitude of kindness toward everything and everyone. I wonder if that came about in conjunction with losing his memory of self and thus his ego. It's amusing to me that his innocence never involves him getting into true danger; he really is protected by the universe.

I like how in the end he is able to visit the House with someone who feels like him, and to take the underlying sense of wonder and well being out into the "real world."

I have a question about the mechanics of the story. Why does Ketterer come to the place and time where the flood will occur, and for what purpose does he bring a boat? (To try to take Matthew back to the world? And if so, why then?)

[Franky]

I finished this one a while back and really enjoyed it. It has a whimsical sort of ambience and the book is like a puzzle trying to figure it all out. I was very invested in Piranesi's fate and wanted to see what happened at the end. A very creative and imaginative book. I'm interested in purchasing the 1000 page plus Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell now or reading more from this author.

[Whitney]

Lyn wrote: "I just finished this yesterday, and have found the story deeply resonant, like the tides. I love Piranesi's attitude of kindness toward everything and everyone. I wonder if that came about in conju..."

I also that aspect of his character, Lyn. I also like that, even when he looses his innocence, he keeps his goodness. I've always disliked the cynical implications that goodness implies innocence (or ignorance).

As for your question, my understanding was that Ketterley planned to kill Susan Raphael before she could take Matthew out of the house. The boat is to save himself from the flood, which, as he said, he couldn't remember the details of.

[Whitney]

Franky wrote: "I finished this one a while back and really enjoyed it. It has a whimsical sort of ambience and the book is like a puzzle trying to figure it all out. I was very invested in Piranesi's fate and wan..."

It definitely has an air of whimsey, especially at the beginning. Like others, I was afraid it was going to be a story solely of whimsey and the house, and was happy it actually had a larger purpose.

[Franky]

Whitney wrote: "Franky wrote: "I finished this one a while back and really enjoyed it. It has a whimsical sort of ambience and the book is like a puzzle trying to figure it all out. I was very invested in Piranesi..."

Exactly Whitney, I really loved the depth and the symbolism within the novel and how things unfolded and were slowly revealed at the end.

[Bretnie]

Franky wrote: "I finished this one a while back and really enjoyed it. It has a whimsical sort of ambience and the book is like a puzzle trying to figure it all out. I was very invested in Piranesi's fate and wan..."

Franky I read Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell earlier this year and loved it! Totally different than Piranesi (in plot and in length!) but quite good! She is quite a story teller!

[Hugh]

I meant to contribute more to the discussion, but most of what I would have said has already been discussed. I was rather impressed, particularly by the gradual revelations but also by the imaginative power of the opening.