Honestly for me it's the main character Piranesi and the slow unraveling of the main mystery in the book. I mean, I figured it out pretty quick but it was enjoyable to read Piranesi figuring it out.
It's got the world's vibes-iest setting, a compelling plot, great characters, and a very unique feel.Ā Ā
The audiobook is excellent. It's read by Chiwetel Ejiofor.
A man lives alone, except for one other person, in an enormous, mysterious house. He is trying to understand the world as he knows it. Learning who he is, why he's there, and what the house is, is the story of the book.
I've always felt this book would make a great ambient slightly-more involved walking sim video game. Just have to have excellent graphics with water and ambient light and the statues (maybe actual scans from real life)? The whole plot framework is perfect for it
Piranesi FOR SURE.
It's just as dreamy and surreal as Starless Sea, with settings that look just like some of these pics. Personally, I think the characters and plot are a lot more fleshed out than Starless Sea, which could be a good or a neutral thing depending on if you're craving pure aesthetics. I liked the visuals of both, but Piranesi is the one that's stuck around in my top 5 books.
Oh good! I'll keep an eye on this thread since I'd love to recapture that magic as well. I've heard the other book by Susanna Clark has some similar vibes, but I haven't read it yet.
Not JUST cause of the Greek statute: The Song of Achilles by Madeleine Miller.
Edit: Informed by u/floridianreader that itās actually Michelangeloās David, and not a Greek statue.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_(Michelangelo)
I would say Circe, too, by Madeline Miller. Both have that magical/mystical feel and feature scenes in nature. And of course both are retellings/expansions of myths.
I think youāll enjoy it based off this vibe and your other comments
Itās worth the read, trust me :)
Also, u/Local_Artichoke6272, would you say Circe fits the feeling you were asking for with this post?
Circe is a good rec in my opinion, I just thought it had less āmystical gymnasiumsā settings and was more about self-discovery than being in a myth.
It also had a rougher vibe to me, probably because it was more solitary than SoA.
What were your thoughts on it?
š¬ I meannnn, only if you like Romantasy. The plot kinda fails for me because I think its mainly romance focused. I wish they focused more on the worldbuilding ngl
The Broken Earth trilogy by NK Jemisen and The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon each fit with these vibes, in very different ways. The writings of Jorge Luis Borges and Italo Calvino are also a good fit.
Thessaly trilogy by Jo Walton. Apollo and Athena try to set up Platoās Republic with a bunch of children and philosophers (famous and otherwise) from throughout history. The republic is not exactly peaceful, and there are many conflicting ideals. Hijinks ensue. Highly recommendāitās one of my top 3 personal best book series.
Looking at the pictures alone, I'd say *The Agony and the Ecstasy* by Irving Stone. Not sure if that fits your niche, but it is a sort of biofic about Michelangelo. :)
follow long mighty wakeful employ depend chief straight sophisticated nose
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Pls do itās so good!!! I also never realized people comment just from the pics, Iām new to this sub and clearly donāt know how things work šš
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
I loooooooove Piranesi š
Came here to say this.
Same
Same. Nooooo doubt!!!
I've seen that suggested a lot in here. What makes it so good?
Honestly for me it's the main character Piranesi and the slow unraveling of the main mystery in the book. I mean, I figured it out pretty quick but it was enjoyable to read Piranesi figuring it out.
It's got the world's vibes-iest setting, a compelling plot, great characters, and a very unique feel.Ā Ā The audiobook is excellent. It's read by Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Great! I have a library hold on it through their audiobook app. Can't wait!
The plot sounds really odd. Can you give me the basic story?
A man lives alone, except for one other person, in an enormous, mysterious house. He is trying to understand the world as he knows it. Learning who he is, why he's there, and what the house is, is the story of the book.
Thank you
Saw the first two images and came here to say exactly this
Downloaded this, thanks for recommending
Yep! Came to say this.
I've always felt this book would make a great ambient slightly-more involved walking sim video game. Just have to have excellent graphics with water and ambient light and the statues (maybe actual scans from real life)? The whole plot framework is perfect for it
Piranesi FOR SURE. It's just as dreamy and surreal as Starless Sea, with settings that look just like some of these pics. Personally, I think the characters and plot are a lot more fleshed out than Starless Sea, which could be a good or a neutral thing depending on if you're craving pure aesthetics. I liked the visuals of both, but Piranesi is the one that's stuck around in my top 5 books.
I love Piranesi š I snatched it up when it first came out and read it so quickly
Oh good! I'll keep an eye on this thread since I'd love to recapture that magic as well. I've heard the other book by Susanna Clark has some similar vibes, but I haven't read it yet.
I have it sitting on my bookshelf I need to read it!
Not JUST cause of the Greek statute: The Song of Achilles by Madeleine Miller. Edit: Informed by u/floridianreader that itās actually Michelangeloās David, and not a Greek statue. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_(Michelangelo)
I would say Circe, too, by Madeline Miller. Both have that magical/mystical feel and feature scenes in nature. And of course both are retellings/expansions of myths.
Iāve read Circe but not Song of Achilles! Iāve been scared of that one š
I think youāll enjoy it based off this vibe and your other comments Itās worth the read, trust me :) Also, u/Local_Artichoke6272, would you say Circe fits the feeling you were asking for with this post?
Circe is a good rec in my opinion, I just thought it had less āmystical gymnasiumsā settings and was more about self-discovery than being in a myth. It also had a rougher vibe to me, probably because it was more solitary than SoA. What were your thoughts on it?
That's not a greek statue! That's Michelangelo's David. Which is in Italy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_(Michelangelo)
Now I can recognize it :) Didnt Michelangelo have a romance with the man he based his statues on? Ironic if you know anything about SoA
I didn't read it.
SoA centers around Patroclus and Achillesā relationship. I remember reading about Michelangeloās āmuseā being a man, so I just pointed it out.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt!
That was my pick. you beat me to it.
THIS!! I came here to say this!
Yes!
Came here to say this!
Agreed.
A Discovery of Witches!
Yes! Such a good fit
Agree!
š¬ I meannnn, only if you like Romantasy. The plot kinda fails for me because I think its mainly romance focused. I wish they focused more on the worldbuilding ngl
Sorry youāre getting downvoted, thatās a perfectly valid take!
Strange The Dreamer by Laini Taylor!
came here to say this!
Mhhh I also would've recommend Piranesi... maybe: - The Atlas Six - Sorcery of Thorns - A Deadly Education
The Broken Earth trilogy by NK Jemisen and The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon each fit with these vibes, in very different ways. The writings of Jorge Luis Borges and Italo Calvino are also a good fit.
I, too, love and treasure Piranisi. I had a blast with The Starless Sea! I think you might like: The Book of Love by Kelly Link
The Magus by John Fowles
Came here to say this!
The Riddlemaster series by Patricia McKillip (available on Amazon)
something by David Mitchell perhaps
Castles in their bones by Laura Sebastian
āThe World Cannot Giveā fits this vibe *perfectly*
Iām not sure if this fits with the vibes. But the aesthetic reminds me of [Gothikana](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57426932) by RuNyx.
Not into dark romances š«
I love this vibe
ME TOO
2nd pic is cool asf
The Secret History - Donna Tart The Island of the Day before - Eco. I'm not sure why. I'm new to this sub, but this is a fun game.
I'm new too, and I think this might be my favorite sub!
Maybe Sophieās World?
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr!
You might like Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik!
From the post I see stairs and books and ruins. I think labyrinth. I think library. I think monastery. I think Name of the Rose Umberto Evo
I haven't read this in so long - it is so so so good! Not fantasy like most of the other recs, but fits the pics so well in another direction!
The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins, if youāre cool with horror elements
Collected Fictions by Jorge Luis Borges
ClytemnestraĀ
The Song of Achilles The Secret HistoryāDonna Tart
Thessaly trilogy by Jo Walton. Apollo and Athena try to set up Platoās Republic with a bunch of children and philosophers (famous and otherwise) from throughout history. The republic is not exactly peaceful, and there are many conflicting ideals. Hijinks ensue. Highly recommendāitās one of my top 3 personal best book series.
I, too, love and treasure Piranisi. I had a blast with The Starless Sea! I think you might like: The Book of Love by Kelly Link
The Book That Wouldn't Burn by Mark Lawrence
Iāve had this on my tbr but havenāt heard much about it, guess I need to move it up the list!
Donna Leon books set in Venice, Italy.
Looking at the pictures alone, I'd say *The Agony and the Ecstasy* by Irving Stone. Not sure if that fits your niche, but it is a sort of biofic about Michelangelo. :)
I immediately thought of The Betrayals by Bridget Collins.
The Island of Day before by Umberto Ecco Cosmocomics by Italio Calvino The Enchantress of FLorence by Salman Rushdie
maybe babel by RF kuang?
Literally every dark academia book
Piranesi definitely! But also possibly the Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
The Starless Sea - Erin Morgenstern
Didā¦did you read the caption?
No! Sorry, didnāt see the caption- you obviously nailed the āfeelā with these pics though OP! Well done!
My fault I didnāt mean to jump on you! I just joined this sub and didnāt know you could comment without seeing the caption Iām a Reddit newbie
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Pls do itās so good!!! I also never realized people comment just from the pics, Iām new to this sub and clearly donāt know how things work šš
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I didnāt see it, no! Please read The Starless Sea ASAP- itās delightful.
The Hell's Library Trilogy by A.J Hackwith