This is such an odd little book. The exert starts with the narrator talking about the house they live - the house they never leave and which encompasses the whole world of the book. There are three floors, each with different dangers and attractions. But there are only 15 people to have ever existed in this world. You don't get much more information in this small extract, but it's enough. It's weird enough, and there are plenty of questions, and the writing is enticing and mesmerising and makes it seem like all these weird things are just the norm. I can't wait to read the whole thing!

This little sneak peek confused me more than anything. What drew me to this book initially was how it gave off Greek mythology vibes but as I finished the preview... I just felt lost and a little dizzy. I get that this is magical realism (I think?) but it just isn't for me. It felt jumbled, erratic and desultory; I honestly had no idea what was going on. I'm not sure if it's just something to do with it being an ARC preview, but the constant capitalisation of what seemed to be random words, was also jarring. Now I know it's unfair to say all this when I have only read a few pages, but if it continues in such a way then I know it's not for me. Maybe it's just me and the ideas and writing just whizzed past my head and I didn't grasp what was being described, but it's clear that Piranesi is not the book for me.

While this early extract of Piranesi is brief, it speaks volumes to the beauty and imagination of the novel to come. I am already enraptured by the descriptions of the mysterious house and its roaring waters and strange statues, and fascinated by the mystery of the skeletons. Who is Piranesi? Who is Other? How did they come to be in this strange and liminal place? I am thrilled to continue reading this lyrical, magical novel when it is released.

I absolutely LOVED Jonathan Norell and Mr Strange, I read it around 13 years ago and I still recommend it today. However Clarke’s second book was really hard to get into so I approached this extract with trepidation. I can honestly say I do look forward to this being released. The love I have for her first book will hopefully be found in this!

I find this a very difficult review to write as it is based on such a short extract. As such, I cannot say whether I would recommend it to my students or not.

The last part of the extract was the most intriguing; the list of people who have ever lived. This part of the extract made me interested in the book. It made me question what kind of world (or house!) 'Piranesi' lives in

The extract does not make it really clear what the main story is in the book so I am unable to say whether I would like to read more or not yet.

It was difficult to get a real understanding of what Piranesi is about, as it is an early extract. But what I did read, fascinated me. Obviously there is some sort of shifting, impossible architecture (hence, Piranesi) involved in the world the character(s) live in. There is some sort of 'there's only a few of us left' narrative - so what happened to the rest? - which is always a plot driver.
Can't wait to get my hands on the whole novel!

Thanks to Netgalley for a digital sample in exchange for an honest review :) I find it really hard to rate a sample. This sounded very interesting and I am excited for another book by Susanna Clarke. I loved reading "Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell" and I was very excited to hear the author is coming with a new book. This little extract/sample left me with a lot of questions and I am quite curious about how the story is going to go.

OK, I've only read the abstract that NetGalley have put out, but on the strength of those few pages, I've pre-ordered the book! Its intriguing - they've given me just enough to read that I really want to know what on earth is going on! I can only give this 5 stars so far, but I'll be back with a full review after I've read the whole book.

Wow
Wow
Wow!
What an opening chapter! I can’t wait to read the rest of this book! Such wonderful
imagery and intrigue to pack into a few pages, and very reminiscent of ‘The Night Circus’ for me.
I’ve already pre-ordered the book based on this sample, I am so excited to find out more!

This early extract for Piranesi is intriguing, beautifully written and infuriatingly short.

We meet Piranesi in a house that is the world, which is inhabited by himself and only another - The Other. The house is seemingly unending; a labyrinth of stairs, vestibules, windows and corridors, where the tides wash through and the clouds linger. With more than a hint of mystery and magic, this carefully crafted introduction revels in mystery; raising more questions than answers and spinning secrets which beg for discovery.

Fifteen years after I first read the beautiful and captivating Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, the release of Piranesi cannot come soon enough.

Oh wow! I hadn't read Jonathon Strange but I've heard countless praise on Clarke's writing, and now I see why! Within a small extract, I fell enchanted and desperate to read more, I feel strange giving a review for only an extract of the book, but if the rest of the novel is on the same wavelength, then this would definitely become a favourite.

Loving the sound of this book. Beautifully written as expected and wonderful characters. Would love to read the whole book

I am really looking forward to reading the full novel. The short (too short!) introduction has left me eager to read more. In a few pages Ms Clarke has conjured up a world full of mystery and promise which just begs to be explored further.

I am new to Susanna Clarke, having never read The Hunger Games and I found this to be a very interesting and enjoyable extract. One which piqued my curiosity and made me eager to learn more about the book and pre-order a copy.

Shut up and take my money :)
It feels adequate and fits the style of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norell. I’ve just preordered this.

Wow, what a fascinating introduction! Shades of Gormenghast in a mysterious world made up of halls and courtyards, with only two living men there, but skeletons and statues around every corner. Really keen to read more.

I got access to only a few pages of Piranesi. I am not sure how valuable it is to read 8-9 pages. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the beautiful descriptions of the three tiers of existence as well as an intro to some of the characters. The description of The Other stood out in his quest for immortality and learning telepathy.

In general, I have heard good things about the author. I wish the publisher had shared the whole book in order for me to give it a meaningful rating. I am going with average for now since it would not be fair to rate it higher without reading it fully.

Wow! This extract was intriguing and gripping from the start. I'm definitely interested in picking up a copy when it's published to find out how the rest of the story goes.

I'm very excited about this book! I'm a big fan of Susanna Clarke and by a chance of Piranesi's works, and I wasn't disappointed with the excerpt from the new novel Piranesi.
The House is a whole World with its own magic and mysteries. Piranesi (if it's indeed his real name) deems himself a scientist whose aim is to discover all neverending halls and corridors of this House and then write this information down in his journal.
There are two parts to this excerpt. The first one is about the House and its wonders. The enormous number of statues and wandering Tides create a truly magical atmosphere. I feel that this tricky House refers to the Imaginary Prisons somehow. I can see the similarity between them in their magnificence and vastness but it is to be seen if the 'prison' part is true for the novel too.
The second part tells us about Piranesi as a character. He is a bit lonely so he talks with skeletons of people who lived there before him. His only living friend is The Other who he meets twice a week. The Other seems to be a more practical or even cynical man in the contrast to more open and naive Piranesi. I find the passage about a Great and Secret Knowledge funny. I mean they don't even know what it is! But they still seek for it. To become immortal or read people's minds - whatever power it would give.
Overall, Piranesi has a high-level immersion into the world and a likable protagonist. I wouldn't expect less from Susanna Clarke.

Even in the few short pages of the sample I was drawn into a mysterious world of magic and wonder. it was so enchanting I can hardly wait to read the book..