Book of the week: The Radical Potter by Tristram Hunt
In this exceptional biography, Hunt shows that Josiah Wedgwood was the Steve Jobs of his day
In 2004, Susanna Clarke’s debut novel, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, “became a publishing phenomenon”, said Justine Jordan in The Guardian. The acclaimed story of “two scholar magicians” in Regency England, it sold four million copies and was adapted for a BBC mini-series.
Soon after its publication, Clarke developed chronic fatigue syndrome, and for many years was largely confined to bed. During that time, she worked on a planned sequel to “JS&MrN”, but failed to make significant progress. Her confinement, however, appears to have helped inspire the “unique” follow-up she eventually produced.
Piranesi, which last week won the Women’s Prize for Fiction, is “the most gloriously peculiar book I’ve read in years”, said Alex Preston in The Observer. Its eponymous hero, a man of around 30, lives alone in a vast house that has tides sweeping through its lower floors, “pouring over the statues and ornaments, rushing up staircases”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Piranesi knows of the existence of only one other person – a disdainful figure known only as “the Other” – who visits him twice a week. He believes only 15 people have ever existed: himself, “the Other”, and 13 more, whose remains are distributed throughout the house. But gradually, he starts to unlock the secret of his identity – and of his imprisonment.
This is a work of “original strangeness” which stays “lodged in your head long after you’ve finished reading”, said Sarah Ditum in The Times. So remarkable are Clarke’s descriptive powers that she makes “insane worlds feel as solid as our own”. Piranesi is “close to perfect” – and a deserving winner of the Women’s Prize.
Bloomsbury 272pp £8.99; The Week Bookshop £6.99
The Week Bookshop
To order this title or any other book in print, visit theweekbookshop.co.uk, or speak to a bookseller on 020-3176 3835. Opening times: Monday to Saturday 9am-5.30pm and Sunday 10am-4pm.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Outer Hebrides: a top travel destination
The Week Recommends Discover 'unspoiled beauty' of the Western Isles
By Tess Foley-Cox Published
-
The Biltmore Mayfair review: a quintessential slice of luxury London
The Week Recommends This swanky retreat in Grosvenor Square blends old-world glamour with modern comforts
By Caroline Dolby Published
-
Is ChatGPT's new search engine OpenAI's Google 'killer'?
Talking Point There's a new AI-backed search engine in town. But can it stand up to Google's decades-long hold on internet searches?
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Vanessa Bell: A World of Form and Colour – an 'expansive' exhibition
The Week Recommends The 'sweeping' show features over 140 works from paintings to ceramics
By The Week UK Published
-
Kate Summerscale picks her favourite true crime books
The Week Recommends The writer shares works by Janet Malcolm, Helen Garner and Mark O'Connell
By The Week UK Published
-
The Forsyte Saga: 'faultless' production with a 'pitch-perfect' cast
The Week Recommends Theatrical adaptation of John Galsworthy's novels is a 'must-see' show
By The Week Published
-
6 exciting homes for athletes
Feature Featuring a rock-climbing wall in New York and a basketball-tennis court in Washington
By The Week Staff Published
-
Peter Ames Carlin's 6 favorite books on pop culture icons
Feature The author recommends works by James McBride, Jim Bouton, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Wild Robot: animated adventure is 'warm, funny and wise'
The Week Recommends 'Sharply written and richly detailed' adaptation of Peter Brown's best-selling book
By The Week UK Published
-
Francis Bacon: Human Presence – a 'stirring, splendid' exhibition
The Week Recommends 'Riveting' show at the National Portrait Gallery explores the artist's 'wild' portraits
By The Week UK Published
-
Robert McCrum shares his favourite books on sport
The Week Recommends Writer and editor picks works by Nick Hornby, David Goldblatt and others
By The Week UK Published