“The Beauty of the House is immeasurable; its Kindness infinite.”
Susanna Clarke’s Piranesi is a dark fantasy novel that defies traditional genres, immersing readers in a labyrinthine world brimming with mystery, wonder and breathtaking beauty. Its dreamlike narrative, hauntingly poetic prose and exploration of themes such as discovery, isolation and the interplay between reality and imagination all leave a profound impression. Whether it’s a blend of fantastic and cerebral or an exploration of human connections, join us today at What We Reading for the best books like Piranesi. From magical realism to philosophical mysteries, these literary labyrinths all feature intricate world-building, enigmatic plots and characters navigating surreal landscapes, making them the perfect follow-ups for anyone who was intrigued, mesmerised and enchanted by Clarke’s Woman Prize-winning novel.
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle – Haruki Murakami
First up on our list of books like Piranesi is Haruki Murakami’s acclaimed classic, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. Set in Tokyo, the story follows a young man named Toru Okada who is searching for his wife, Kumiko. As he sets out on this quest, he encounters a series of strange and colourful characters, all of whom lead him further and further into a labyrinth of mystery and metaphysical questions.
From a psychic prostitute, a cheerfully morbid sixteen-year-old girl to an ageing war veteran still scarred from his days during Japan’s forgotten campaign in Manchuria, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is a gripping tour de force that blurs the lines between reality and dreams, evoking an atmosphere of quiet absurdity and unsettling beauty.
The House Of The Spirits – Isabel Allende
Isabel Allende’s iconic work The House of the Spirits introduces readers to the Trueba family in Chile. At the centre of the story is Clara, a woman with supernatural abilities, and her connection to her husband, Estaban Trueba, whose ascent from humble beginnings to wealth and power has been defined by personal and societal struggles. The pair’s daughter, Blanca, has defied her father with a forbidden, yet has also provided Esteban’s greatest joy: his granddaughter, Alba, whose spirited nature will one day lead her nation to a revolutionary future.
One of the most beloved Latin American works in history, The House of the Spirits follows the Trueba lineage over generations and paints a vivid portrait of a Chilean nation in the throws of change. One of the best books like Piranesi, is a journey of personal discovery that blends with elements of magical realism.
The Unconsoled – Kazuo Ishiguro
Ryder is a renowned pianist who arrives in a nameless European city intending on giving a performance for the ages. However, the residents he finds continually pull him into strange and disjointed situations, each one more perplexing than the last. Time and space become fluid in these dreamy narratives, and Ryder soon finds himself struggling to fulfil conflicting obligations whilst attempting to work out his own purpose.
Kazuo Ishiguro’s acclaimed novel, The Unconsoled, is another one of the best books like Piranesi for readers looking for another disorientating and surreal environment where both protagonist and reader find themselves equally lost.
The Library Of The Unwritten – A.J. Hackworth
Many years ago, Claire was named Head Librarian of the Unwritten Wing – a neutral space in Hell where all incomplete stories reside. Her job consists primarily of repairing and organising books, as well as keeping a keen eye on the restless stories whose characters risk materialising and escaping. When a Hero escapes from his book and goes in search of his author, it is up to Claire, her current assistant, Brevity, and a nervous demon courier named Leto to track him down and capture him.
But, what starts out as a simple retrieval soon takes a horrifying turn when the terrifyingly angelic Ramiel attacks them, convinced they’re carrying the Devil’s Bible. Brimming with fantastical elements, atmospheric settings and profound existential questions on identity, A.J. Hackworth’s The Library of the Unwritten is the perfect fantasy read for anyone who loved Piranesi.
The Book Of Lost Things – John Connolly
The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly is a dark and enchanting tale about a young boy called David who, whilst mourning the loss of his mother, retreats into a fantasy world. This realm is filled with strange and dangerous creatures, blending aspects of fairy tales with deep psychological and emotional undertones. As David finds himself navigating this fantastical world, he is forced to grapple with his own fears and the realities of loss and growing older.
Similar to Piranesi, The Book of Lost Things features a protagonist lost in a mysterious and fantastical world where the boundaries between reality and imagination are blurred. Through their rich atmospheric settings and the inner journeys of the characters, both novels tackle self-discovery, the passage of time and the healing power of confronting one’s deepest emotions.
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The Night Watchman – Louise Erdrich
Thomas Wazhashk is a night watchman at a local factory who lives in a North Dakota Ojibwe community. Patrice is an aspirational young woman striving for a better future. Together they navigate the challenges of their personal lives and fight for Native American rights in Louise Erdrich’s The Night Watchman.
Based on the life of Erdrich’s own grandfather, The Night Watchman is one of the best books like Piranesi for immersing readers into a world where personal and societal boundaries collide. Featuring protagonists in environments that blend the real with the surreal, both stories offer a meditative exploration of human connection and the search for meaning.
House Of Leaves – Mark Z. Danielewski
House of Leaves centres around a family who move into what appears to be a perfectly ordinary home, only to quickly discover that the building is larger on the inside than the out. Similar to Piranesi, its impossible dimensions create a labyrinth of endless hallways and shifting spaces. Simultaneously, the book chronicles the efforts of a man named Johnny Truant as he pieces together the mysteries of the home through a chilling manuscript.
Told through numerous unconventional storytelling techniques including found footage notes and unreliable narrators, House of Leaves is deeply atmospheric where the central setting is just as prominent a character as the individuals inside. Similar to Piranesi, this eerie and disorientating world is used as a metaphor to blur the boundaries between reality and perception.
Check Out The Best Books Like House Of Leaves
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
