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thefantasticalworldofsara's review
4.0
I picked a good read for my first book of 2021!
My god the setting??!! Stunning! The way she describes everything made me wish it was a tv show or an actual place so I could see it. Also, the unreliable narrator aspect of this was amazing and kept me turning the pages to figure everything out.
If dark academia is your thing I think you'd enjoy this.
ps. The views expressed in this review are my own and do not reflect the views of Indigo Books & Music Inc. or any of its subsidiaries. #IndigoEmployee
My god the setting??!! Stunning! The way she describes everything made me wish it was a tv show or an actual place so I could see it. Also, the unreliable narrator aspect of this was amazing and kept me turning the pages to figure everything out.
If dark academia is your thing I think you'd enjoy this.
ps. The views expressed in this review are my own and do not reflect the views of Indigo Books & Music Inc. or any of its subsidiaries. #IndigoEmployee
moshikami's review
3.0
Been meaning to jot down some thoughts about this since finishing it. The main takeaway was that I was glad I chose to listen to it over an audiobook, especially in the first half. I'm not sure if I'd have made it through that via reading alone... It was tedious. It served well as background noise to the jigsaw puzzle I was working on, and I truly do not feel I missed anything of importance despite not being 100% focused on the vestibules and statues. Maybe the statues' various subject matter represented or referenced something deeper, but even if I had devoted all of my attention to their descriptions, I don't think they would have meant anything to me.
I did enjoy the setting of the labyrinth, the descriptions were interesting and mysterious, though I don't think the book would've suffered if about half the time was devoted to their introduction. At about the half-way mark, the story picked up as more details were revealed, and kept me listening throughout the day--like, "I've already come so far, might as well finish it".
I wasn't completely satisfied by the handwaving at the end, I wanted to know more about *why* and the characters themselves. Piranesi (the character) was not particularly likeable or memorable. Also, why was it important to mention... That just kind of rubbed me the wrong way, when we don't go into much more of the characters.
Overall, I don't dislike this book, but I wasn't blown away by it. Upon finishing, I had more criticisms floating around in my mind than positive feelings, and then I promptly stopped thinking about it a day later.
I did enjoy the setting of the labyrinth, the descriptions were interesting and mysterious, though I don't think the book would've suffered if about half the time was devoted to their introduction. At about the half-way mark, the story picked up as more details were revealed, and kept me listening throughout the day--like, "I've already come so far, might as well finish it".
I wasn't completely satisfied by the handwaving at the end, I wanted to know more about *why* and the characters themselves. Piranesi (the character) was not particularly likeable or memorable. Also, why was it important to mention
Spoiler
that the main villain was gay and picked up men?Overall, I don't dislike this book, but I wasn't blown away by it. Upon finishing, I had more criticisms floating around in my mind than positive feelings, and then I promptly stopped thinking about it a day later.
mrtumnusscarf's review
4.0
At the start I kept trying to "figure it out"; what is this a symbol for, and what does that represent? But then I got sucked into the innocence and goodness of the main character. He's like a clean slate that believes the best in everyone and sees the beauty in everything. He's just so precious, I kept reading because of him.
I liked this book a lot. I will be thinking about it. Definitely recommend.
I liked this book a lot. I will be thinking about it. Definitely recommend.
amyingomar's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
lindzmace's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
sometimes, the monsters are the people we met along the way.
i feel like i hallucinated this book. like reading it was a fever dream and one i'll never fully escape from. it's like i understand everything and also nothing. if i were the protagonist of this book i would have lost my mind so immediately, and there would be no coming back.
i knew going in that this book is in the realm of unhinged but truly, i had no idea. i love it.
i feel like i hallucinated this book. like reading it was a fever dream and one i'll never fully escape from. it's like i understand everything and also nothing. if i were the protagonist of this book i would have lost my mind so immediately, and there would be no coming back.
i knew going in that this book is in the realm of unhinged but truly, i had no idea. i love it.
katiegilley's review
4.0
“Perhaps even people you like and admire immensely can make you see the World in ways you would rather not.”
This was shortlisted for The 2021 Women’s Prize for Fiction and it’s a strange little book. Piranesi is living in an infinite House in which tides flood the corridors, there are rooms full of statues and art, and he makes his own clothes from seaweed found throughout. He is a scientist and explorer of this world and keeps detailed and excellent notebooks to share with the Other – the only other person alive in the House. One day he meets a person who should not exist and his whole life is turned on its head.
The twist of the story is obvious fairly early on, but I don’t think it ruined the book. Instead, it ushered in a mystery and puzzle that I was trying to unlock. It had such a thoughtful message: how we can all be led to believe something absurd despite how smart we think we are. I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 because the story could have benefited from a little more explanation about the house Piranesi explored, which felt unresolved to me (but maybe it was supposed to? Either way, I needed more!).
This was shortlisted for The 2021 Women’s Prize for Fiction and it’s a strange little book. Piranesi is living in an infinite House in which tides flood the corridors, there are rooms full of statues and art, and he makes his own clothes from seaweed found throughout. He is a scientist and explorer of this world and keeps detailed and excellent notebooks to share with the Other – the only other person alive in the House. One day he meets a person who should not exist and his whole life is turned on its head.
The twist of the story is obvious fairly early on, but I don’t think it ruined the book. Instead, it ushered in a mystery and puzzle that I was trying to unlock. It had such a thoughtful message: how we can all be led to believe something absurd despite how smart we think we are. I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 because the story could have benefited from a little more explanation about the house Piranesi explored, which felt unresolved to me (but maybe it was supposed to? Either way, I needed more!).
maureen2506's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
5.0
Wow wow wow. Ein unglaublich schönes Buch mit so eine detailverliebten Art des Schreibens. Die Geschichte ist so fantastisch wie tragisch und die Hauptfigur liebt man einfach.