This review is featured on Behind the Pages: Piranesi

Piranesi takes its time immersing readers in the environment that the character Piranesi finds himself in. Each statue encountered in the labyrinth is gone into detail. This includes what they mean to Piranesi and how their different poses are interpreted. While this builds the world around the character, it also shows how isolated Piranesi is. Alongside interactions with the statues, are brief glimpses of animals he encounters. Again, he adds extra meaning to these encounters, adding a fictional element to his responses and ideals.

The pacing of Piranesi is slow. There is not much action in this novella. It is more so the type of writing to make the reader sit back and think. To question what the character is experiencing and try to think outside of the bounds of what is presented. When Piranesi begins to uncover the truth behind the house he lives in, a slow dawning horror will come over the reader. However, Piranesi’s reaction lessens the emotional impact.

This is a novella for readers who enjoy high attention to detail in settings and a slower-paced read. Piranesi does not go through much character development. A majority of the focus remains on Piranesi’s surroundings and is accented by the story behind his arrival in the labyrinth. ( )

It would be impossible for me to describe what this book is about, but it really doesn't matter because it's best if you don't know much about it going in. It has beautiful world-building, there is a building of suspense as you learn more in the story, and it will keep you thinking about the book long after it is done. Piranesi is the type of book that gets even better the more time that passes after you've finished the last page. ( )

Definitely as good as they say. Wonderful, psychedelic, fever dream of a novel. Takes a concept whiffed in House Of Leaves and adds an unexpected murder mystery, sinister academics that are perhaps a pastiche of Timothy Morton and postmodernists, and so much beautiful language that I felt my innser self joining the House! ( )

So mysterious! Loved reading this so much. Want to read it again. ( )

An easy five stars, this book will transport you to another world, and it's such a gentle and marvelous place, you may want to stay a while. ( )