The OA from Netflix but more fantastical.


There are at least two ways to interpret this book: you can either take it at face value or read between the lines and draw your own conclusions about what happened to our main character, Piranesi.

It’s a short book with simple writing that you can finish within a day or two. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys mind-bending narratives like Shutter Island or The OA.

I found this book to be an advocate for mental health. However, I have seen people drawing different conclusions from it, and that’s the beauty of this book. It can mean different things to different people. The writing is absolutely beautiful and dreamlike. The world is crafted in a way that leaves you in awe of its beauty and charm.

This is one of those books that will positively impact you and  will stay with you for a long time. You’ll want to reread it as soon as you finish it, mainly to confirm your theories.




Spoilers Ahead

Theory 1:
I believe that Piranesi, also known as Mathew, was kidnapped and subjected to experiments. He was kept near the sea, which explains the presence of tides. The experiments focused on memories and consciousness, ultimately breaking his mind. As a result, he developed Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), with Piranesi emerging as a secondary personality. Several pieces of evidence support this theory, such as Piranesi treating Mathew as a different person living inside him.

In my opinion, the other world wasn't real. To cope with the trauma and isolation, Piranesi’s mind created the vast, labyrinthine House as a form of mental escape. The intricate halls and endless rooms symbolize his attempt to make sense of his confinement and maintain a sense of purpose. The statues might represent all the suppressed memories of Mathew from the real world.

Even the name "Piranesi" is inspired by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, the 18th-century Italian artist who created the famous series of etchings known as “Carceri d’Invenzione” (Imaginary Prisons). These imaginary prisons resemble a labyrinth, mirroring the author’s depiction of the other world. I think it's a hint that Piranesi was actually imprisoned.

The book also explores the theme of knowledge as a means to an end. This knowledge is dangerous, similar to how, during the 1960s, lobotomy became common to treat mental health issues, and a cult of neuroscience was using real human beings for experimentation. Additionally, the book discusses how we are losing our connection with the natural world in the name of progress and consumerism.

Piranesi was saved by Raphael, who brought him back to the real world and broke the illusion his mind had created to protect himself.

However, Piranesi’s comments about Raphael visiting the other world for its tranquility made me question my theory. He warns Raphael about the dangers of visiting the other world and mentions that they can’t keep saving each other. This could imply that the other world is real, and I am wrong. But I think the author might be suggesting that Raphael was finding solace in isolation. She wasn't visiting the other world; she was just spending time alone. Taking a break and spending time with yourself can be beneficial, but it can become addictive. It’s important to have an anchor, usually loved ones, to pull you back, which is what Piranesi and Raphael had become for each other.

Theory 2:
My other theory is that the experiment was related to switching consciousness. Piranesi is a consciousness of a different person inside Mathew, but the fragment of Mathew’s consciousness didn’t die completely in the experiment. In the end, a third consciousness came to the front. We don’t know how many attempts were made, so it is possible that Mathew now possesses more than two consciousnesses inside him.