Hi folks,
Looking for something pretty specific, will give some comparisons to refine the search.
Closest example I can think of is Piranesi. The descriptions of the rooms, feeling there's always more to explore. However, I personally felt it was overhyped and felt there was so much more than could have been fleshed out.
- Side note: Any feedback on Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell?
Though I have not yet read it, what I know about House of Leaves comes a bit closer to what I'm looking for. It seems way more immersive, as though you are in this cursed house yourself, maddening with each layer unpeeled. Not in the right headspace for this intensity rn, but it's on the list.
It's like I want something in between the two. More Escher-like than what we see in Piranesi, but not as dread-inducing as HoL. Any recs for something along these lines?
by diontheodin
3 Comments
I loved Piranesi. You could try Jorge Louise Borges short stories, which is what Piranesi was inspired by. Or you could look up Borgesian literature
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is a lot different. I loved it. It has the same charming magical quality that Piranesi does, but it’s not a labyrinth at all. It’s an alternate history of magic in Britain during the Napoleonic wars. The footnotes make it feel as if you could explore the world endlessly, and make it so magical, but it’s in a different way from Piranesi.
A Short Stay in Hell is a short book based on the library of Babel by Jorge Louise Borges. I liked Piranesi more, but short stay was pretty good too. I’d describe it as existential horror so since you said dread is a no for you till you’re in a better mind-space I’d save it for later.
A Night Circus uses atmosphere as an emotional engine so it’s what you’re talking about in a way. For example a lot of things they feel are conveyed through what’s going on with the circus itself instead of through the characters. I didn’t like it, it made the characters feel flat, but I think it fits what you’re talking about and a lot of people do appreciate it.
Gothic literature uses environment as an emotional engine. So this might also be a good place to look? It externalizes the internal through setting or supernatural etc.
You Should Have Left by Daniel Khelmann
We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer (very hit or mess. People either love or hate this one, and even for those of us who enjoyed it, the ending is a bit frustrating)
More Than This by Patrick Ness I think.
JSAMN is one of my favourite books ever, but very different vibe to Piranesi.