Piranesi

Whitley Bay Book Group discussed Piranesi in November 2025.

Some of us had tried to read Piranesi before and given up, but almost all persevered this time as it was our book group choice. Most of us found it slow and incomprehensible at first, and tried to make sense of what was going on. Was it set in a post-apocalyptic society, perhaps in a flooded London Underground? But at some point - a third of the way through or page 197 – most of us found it started to become interesting and we started to enjoy it to varying degrees. Most of us loved the House, and the contradictions, mistrusted the Other, and tried to follow Piranesi’s journeys. We thought it was well written and although as a group we tend not to read a lot of fantasy, some of us intend to attempt Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell.

We realised again that one of the joys of a book group in encouraging us to read books we would not normally have picked up.

We awarded the book between 1 and 4 stars, with an average of 3.

I loved this book! It’s different, intriguing and engaging. I loved the character of Piranesi and the setting, which was fascinating. Left me wanting to know more about the other worlds idea.

This book is one of those that stays with you. Its offputting in this edition for the number of quotes lauding the book - which I chose to read afterwards and one resonated - this is a book which after you have finished, you wish you could read it again without knowing.
Its a real insight into loneliness, resilience, and the duplicity of the human directive. Its one for my book shelf and i will re read it in a few years.

One for older teenagers

Piranesi focuses on one lead character, Piranesi, and his experiences living in and exploring a mystical world in which he lives. There are a lot of questions that get thrown up, and I really enjoyed how the plot slowly unravels so you can figure out everything along with Piranesi. I will say there is a slight delay in that you can figure out what's happening a while before the character, but there's no harm in that. I would highly recommend this to any reader - it's a marvellous book.

I loved how different this book was - I was immersed in the mind palace!

Love this book! A fantastic story, cleverly and elegantly told, of an apparently lost soul in a strange new world. The layers peel off, the truth is gradually revealed and the world is turned on its head. What a fabulous exploration of fantasy. A brilliant and original book. Highly recommended.

Refreshing, different and fascinating. Not an easy read, definitely for adults but this book stays with you. For lovers of historical fiction and mythology.