Piranesi and the Three Faces of Reality
An essay about disconnection from the body, the mind, and the environment inspired by the book Piranesi
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Table of Contents:
The Book
Let me introduce you to Piranesi, a book written by Susanna Clarke and published in 2020. This literary fantasy is a journey through the human mind, and our world at large — it explores memory, identity, connection, as well as scholarly pursuit, strife, and our relationship with the earth.
If you want to immerse yourself into a story of worlds that warp human perception, that explore the depths of a character coming undone, and journey the painful process of transformation, this book is for you.
The following essay is inspired by Piranesi, and the themes it explores.
The Three Faces of Reality
It is not about what you think it is about because it cannot be about that. Which is to say, go away. Why are you here? What prompted you near me?
It is indiscernible at the moment, woven within the canopy above, but the sunlight filters in just right at peak noon. I am well satiated here, and you are intruding. You’ve shifted the winds, and you’ve disturbed the roots, and as they scatter away, my canopy lets the sun ablaze on me, and then there’s sheets around me, and a pillow, and where did my trees go? Don’t you see, you’re waking me up?
That just won’t do.
Did no one teach you courtesy? It is courteous to leave one lost if to be found is to be conscious. Because to be conscious is to be aware. Because to be aware is to know. And don’t you see? These times, I do not care to know.
The beauty of the forest is immeasurable; its kindness infinite.1 It cloaks me just right when you aren’t trespassing. I get to glide through the old oaks, and their anchored roots. Watch rabbits scurry about, and deer gallop in and out of site. I sit in the shade, and I breathe in cool breezes. It is not escaping reality if reality has three faces.
Number one; it is the bedroom, the study, the kitchen, the bathroom, and every other room as time goes on. The house outside the forest in the other ‘real’ world. The scrawl of the city outside of it. The dull blue sky without any vibrant semblance of being.
Number two; the soul, stuffed in the crevices between heart and brain in tandem. The unexpected, obscure, and unreachable facets of who is typing behind this essay and how is there all this to say. Who’s forest? What inhabitant? Don’t linger and let the spirit seep out, it’s unmannerly.
Number three; the space you’re encroaching. The nook between face one and face two where there lies some respite. Where the trees stand tall, and where life is left to thrive. The rivers flow in abundance, and the stream of thoughts is right. Here I have everything that’s mine.
It is no less noble to linger in one, than another, where the only change is safety and might. Who are you to dictate what? I owe you nothing reader, I’m not going to grow softer if that’s what you expect, I’m to kick you out, and nothing else.
It is not your fault, that you do not see things the way I do.2
Now off you go, leave me alone. I’m trying to sleep, and you’ve been here too long. My forest awaits. Two faces need rest. The three up together can hardly make sense.
Quotes from the Book
“In all these places I have stood in Doorways and looked ahead. I have never seen any indication that the World was coming to an End, but only the regular progression of Halls and Passageways into the Far Distance.”
“I realised that the search for the Knowledge has encouraged us to think of the House as if it were a sort of riddle to be unravelled, a text to be interpreted, and that if ever we discover the Knowledge, then it will be as if the Value has been wrested from the House and all that remains will be mere scenery.”
“Perhaps that is what it is like being with other people. Perhaps even people you like and admire immensely can make you see the World in ways you would rather not. Perhaps that is what Raphael means.”
“I tell them what I told Jamie Askill: that I was in a house with many rooms; that the sea sweeps through the house; and that sometimes it swept over me, but always I was saved.”
An Invitation
Has a book inspired you to write? What came of it?
If you liked my essay, and would like to write something inspired by a book that moved you, I encourage you to post it on here and dm it to me! I’d love to read it.
Alternatively, what were your thoughts?
Don’t Go Just Yet!
I’m working on an article about book piracy, and while the research is coming along well, I’d love to hear your real-time views. If you’re interested, please consider filling out my research survey.
Thank you for sticking with me to the end—I’ll see you in the next post!
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All black and white graphics were taken from Pinterest.
Original quote from Piranesi is as follows “The Beauty of the House is immeasurable; its Kindness infinite.”
Original quote from Piranesi is as follows “It is not his fault that he does not see things the way I do.”
Oh my God I love this.