'Piranesi' - A Review

When I learnt what a Vestibule was

ENTRY FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY OF THE TENTH MONTH IN THE YEAR I STARTED READING THE DISCWORLD SERIES

When I first stumbled upon the word “Vestibule”, I did not know what it meant.

I assumed, by context, it was an architectural term. I was right in this assumption, but that does take away the embarrassment of not being sure up until now. A vestibule is best described, I think, as a lobby or entranceway. I also like the term antechamber; it is more evocative than the other words I used, although, for this case, maybe too much so.
Besides ‘vestibule’, I knew all the other words from the book titled Piranesi.

Piranesi (Bloomsbury, 2020) is the name of the book I am currently reading. I have purchased this book twice. I owned the hardcover edition, which is approximately twenty centimetres tall and fifteen centimetres wide. It is precisely two hundred and forty-five pages long.

The hardcover is black, with bronze pillars spread across the front and back, of ascending heights that are taller towards the spine. Atop each pillar is the letters of the book's title and protagonist. On the book's spine is the tallest bronze pillars, and atop it is a silhouette of a fawn playing the flute. (That is somewhat significant in so much, as the icon means something within the text.)

The Dust Jacket is also black. With a more detailed fawn playing the flute atop a pillar. The author’s name is in bronze atop this image, and the book's title is white beneath it. There are three quotes from other authors on the back; these people are Madeline Miller, David Mitchell, and Erin Morgenstern. From their quotes, they seemed to have enjoyed the book as much as me (although I have yet to finish it).

The endpapers within the book are a beautiful daisy colour, with bronze sea illustrations, including (but not limited to) a seahorse, a starfish, shells, coral and a bee.

The other edition I purchased was the Audible version. I am very partial to this version; it features the narration of Chiwetel Ejiofor, a famous actor born in East London. You might recognise him from Serenity (2005) (one of my favourites), Love, Actually (2003), 12 Years a Slave (2013) and Doctor Strange (2016.)

Piranesi cursed

ENTRY FOR THE TWENTY-FOURTH DAY OF THE TENTH MONTH IN THE YEAR I STARTED READING THE DISCWORLD SERIES

I was taken aback by a series of expletives inside the book. But when this occurred, it helped convey how serious the story was becoming.

To be clear, the book was earnest before this point, with heavy amounts of mystery and interesting pacing. But I felt like I was getting closer to the end.

I also looked up other reviews today. I was thoroughly enjoying my experience, and at the risk of being influenced, I was curious about what people were saying. I only saw two reviews (both were negative.) But on average, the book had a pretty good score.

The average score for Piranesi on Goodreads was 4.25, from over one hundred and seventy-five thousand reviews. I am leaning towards this average, which means I am enjoying this book.

I have never started writing a review before completing a book, at least before now. The thought of this excites me, as I am very much enjoying this reading experience. Although, I am trepidatious that the book might not end as well as it has begun.

​Right now, the experience (so far) has me expecting this book to be my favourite of the year. 

Endings

ENTRY FOR THE TWENTY-SIXTH DAY OF THE TENTH MONTH IN THE YEAR I STARTED READING THE DISCWORLD SERIES

I understand if this review comes across as a little confusing. Without the proper context, you could lose your way. I can understand how one might misinterpret my describing the editions of the book I purchased as confusing among some of the other conclusions I’ve drawn along the way.

To those people, this review might be best read either immediately following your reading of the book or at the midway point of reading it.
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I understand if you do not like this review or its format. It might not be as pleasing as a traditional review and, at first glance, might seem peculiar. I can assure you (even though it is odd) this is just a demonstration of my love for the house.

​One day, I hope you can find my writing and can be as blessed by the house as I am.