Prior to reading Piranesi, I had only seen rave reviews of it but also no description or explanation as to what kind of book it is. This served to build the curiosity and anticipation and I worried that it would disappoint.

It did not.

I enjoyed this more than Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. Maybe because it's shorter or less convulted. So what is it about? I can't explain more than the blurb, but I can say the blurb does not do it any sort of justice. It is part fantasy, part philosphy, part human drama, part historical murder mystery and ALL kinds of wonderful. The diary style in the first few pages put me slightly off, but as a bookish friend said, I couldn't stop turning the page and had to fight an urge to skip to the end so I could find out what happened to Piranesi. Where was he? Was it real? Was he in a dream state? Was it a dystopia? Who had built the crumbling structure with it's unending halls and statues? Where did the birds come from? Why were there 13 skeletons and who were they? Who was the mysterious "Other"? 

Sorry I can't help except to say everyone needs to read this. You may very well hate it, but it will definitely make you think.