Piranesi: Susanna Clarke in conversation with Madeline Miller

The only global event for the publication of Piranesi was this fascinating conversation between Susanna Clarke and fellow author Madeline Miller. To celebrate its paperback publication we share it for all to enjoy!
Piranesi: bit.ly/3kRWYgB
Circe: bit.ly/3BJ1vZT
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[@joansutton]

i love how Piranesi became an adept and could travel easily between worlds. In the end, he triumphed and acquired much more skill than anyone else involved, by means of a sort of aesthetic Buddhism. A prison becomes a utopia and he is truly the beloved child of the house. He used his recovery of memories in the best possible way, trusting and joyful, as Susanna so rightly describes him, never disillusioned. I can see how this is an allegory for us all, how we all can benefit through acceptance and appreciation of beauty, relinquishing any fear of solitude.

[@gabriellebaalke6704]

Susanna Clarke really is the most charming writer-human. I adore all of this. Thank you so much for this interview and for sharing her joyful brilliance with us.

[@karyn667]

Loved, loved, loved listening to this interview with the incomparable Susanna Clarke! I'm a huge fan of both JSAMN and Piranesi, and am unutterably grateful that she has, in fact, brought magic back into the world again. Many thanks for this wonderful interview and for making it accessible to all of us.

[@richheardthis8018]

My impression of Susanna the person is this. Like Piranesi himself (who shows compassion to the other), she is refreshingly non judgmental, at least, of her characters. She just wants to know them, not judge them. For those like myself who are, sad to say, much more judgmental in nature, this is a healing perspective. It just seems rare these days and therefore, even more refreshing.

[@tam_ryan1036]

Just finished Piranese. Such a delightful departure into fantasy and I became quite attached to the main character. So much so that I wanted to meet his creator. I’m very pleased to have found this video. Now it’s time to read the first book.

[@SteveCadman]

Thanks for this video. Piranesi is a full 5 star book!

[@irena7777777]

It really is. I’ve been on a downer since finishing it. Need something at least as good to get out of this slump. What a book she has written. Outstanding imo

[@niraakara]

this comment might contain spoilers… I love how this interview is so peaceful, like Piranesi in the early parts and the book itself in spite of some dark corners! Also loved how Ms. Clarke talks about and appreciates her inspirations giving so much credit to them! Most of all it’s so endearing that she talks about characters esp. Piranesi as if they are real people and someone she knows and has lived with which in a way she did! Although the book can be dark at times it didn’t bother me for the same reason as the positive spirit of Piranesi and 16 and how it ends and this interview fostered that feeling further! I did come across some reviews or videos which seemed to make it darker than it is… but this put it in the positive light that I felt overall sort of melancholic and uplifting at the same time after finishing it and I did like the ending!

[@stuartgreenhalgh1]

Hi. Just finished reading Piranesi, loved it and the book I read before it was Circe! Weird. Both brilliant.

[@lottajarvi2907]

Such a lovely conversation, I loved Piranesi!

[@sirandrelefaedelinoge]

Being a tolerable practitioner of certain magics, Susanna Clarke's writing speaks to me on a personal level...

[@Tootiecustardpudding]

Wow the author of the book im reading interviews the author of the next book im reading! What perfection!

[@lostsoul5848]

I decided to watch this after finishing reading this book with my girlfriend. We are trying to understand the author's mindset when she wrote this book and the whole construction of the character especially the titular character Piranesi.

[@rebekahvalerius1988]

A delightful conversation! Thank you! I am not at all surprised to hear of Clarke's love of GKC. As a lover of his writing myself, I hear echoes of him in her writing. Piranesi has to be one of my favorite books now. It is up there with Lewis's "Till We have Faces" and Chesterton's "The Man Who Was Thursday".

[@jayjayjay391]

The idea of the house with the ocean inside is special. Piranesi is a really endearing character in the way he sees himself as part of the house, he's connected. I really enjoyed the book. I just discovered Susanne was working on her creations alongside coping with her illness, I have been doing this recently with my own creativity through my own health issues and found this very hope inducing, it encourages me. I really respect her and can't wait for the next book in the series. Thank you for your creativity 🙂🔆🌻

[@rafaelgomez-ruiz8569]

Two great authors, I love their books!

[@PerfumedByTheSea]

So nice to watch this again, thanks for uploading it. What I found fascinating is when Susanna is describing surroundings she looks like she’s there and actually envisioning what would be in front of her. Cannot wait for the book. I need some escapism.

[@xkagutaba]

I'm truly grateful to both of these genius authors for letting me experience the mind of an incredible goddess and the majesty of a beautiful world. My heart still burns for lady Circe, and I still visit the House from time to time. I must say, only magick could've brought these two together in an interview! Btw, choosing the name Raphael for the savior of Piranesi was so fitting 'magickally', you know.

[@douganjohn4892]

Two amazing authors! You both have written my favorite books :) amazing talk

[@pjalexander_author]

What a wonderful discussion. Thank you so much to both of you, two of my favorite authors! Your books are among my favorites.

[@neiliusflavius]

So glad to hear that you don't understand "The Man who was Thursday". I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought I was understanding it until the last few chapters where I was left thinking that I had read something with profound meaning, but I had no idea what it meant.

[@gabriellebaalke6704]

Oh, my goodness! Me, too! I've never been more perplexed. Head is still raw from all the scratching...

[@stylishgromit8552]

Thank you for such a wonderful event and for making a recording available. Thank you Susanna and Madeline for an entertaining evening :-)

[@gandgpolaroid6406]

one of the best book I've ever read . Genius !

[@Crowseye11]

Susanna is the greatest.

[@LizziebelleXOX]

Thank you so much for uploading this. It’s wonderful ❤️

[@kevgh3869]

Johnathan Strange and Mr. Norrell is a masterpiece!

[@joansutton]

Two kings playing chess - this reminds me of a famous vase by the ancient Greek potter/artist Exekias, depicting Achilles and Ajax playing chess.

[@stargazerbird]

Word is it is the picture at the Kings Cross Tube station, like the Elephant and Castle.