However my hair is a different matter. Over the years, as it has grown longer, I have interlaced it with pretty things that I have found or made: seashells, coral beads, pearls, tiny pebbles and interesting fishbones. Many of these little ornaments are bright, shiny and have eye-catching colours. All of them rattle when I walk or run. So last week I spent an afternoon extricating them all. It was not easy and sometimes it was painful. I have placed my ornaments in the beautiful box with the octopus on it, which previously contained my shoes. When 16 returns to his own Halls, I shall put them back – I feel oddly naked without them.
from Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
[Spoiler]
This scene broke my heart because it was the beginning of Piranesi’s erasure. I’m sure the next chapter after this the title was completely different, which is vital to who he is. The details of how he speaks, how he writes, and how he titles his journals are things that change as the book progresses. He took out the things he found to be beautiful to conform and ultimately changed all of his mannerisms.
The ending where he couldn’t identify with either of his “personas” hit deep. There’s a loneliness in the loss of Piranesi because we, as readers, are the final witness to who he was.
This book felt like a cute read until days later. I had realized I was observing something considering how Piranesi would like it or what he would say about it. After that moment, Piranesi instantly became one of my favorite books. I underestimated the impact he had on me.
His perspective and how he shared it was so lovely.
