
House of Leaves focuses on a young family that moves into a new home where they discover the house is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside; a house that is shrouded in darkness with an ever-growing abyss growing in its depths.
Will Navidson, husband, father, and photojournalist, moves into the house with his wife Karen and their two children hoping to repair their marriage. He sets up cameras in each of the rooms to record, as a keepsake, family life in the new house. One day Will discovers the building is three quarters of an inch longer on the inside than on the outside and a dark and icy 10-foot hallway is found within. The Navidson Record becomes a documentary in which Will and his friends explore the inexplicable space, which starts shifting and rearranging itself, roaring as it expands into a terrifying vast expanse of darkness. The house becomes home to a maze of obscurity, confusion, and fear.
House of Leaves is unconventional in its structure with a peculiar writing format, page layout, and text that changes and shifts as much as the story. The novel provides distinct differences between each of its multiple narrators who cross paths and elaborate on the story in incredibly disorientating ways. But most disorientating of all is how multi-layered the narrative is, playing with the reality of not only the characters but the reader. Some pages contain a few words or a couple of lines; the writing mirrors the events of the story, requiring the reader to turn not only the pages but the actual book to read its contents; the footnotes refer to books, films, and articles implying they are - rather convincingly - fact rather than fiction, and the ultimate effect is one of claustrophobia, disorientation, fear and anxiety.
House of Leaves fully immerses you into its pages, it's exhausting to read, and extremely clever. It's a horrifyingly creepy story that convinces you it could be true; it's a love story; it's full of puzzles and codes and ciphers, and it's a unique reading experience that only a physical book can provide. But you have to commit, let it creep into your mind, let it live in you for a while, and, even though you'll be scared and frightened, trust that you'll reach the end of that hallway and everything will be OK.
I totally agree with you on this. I actually haven't finished it because I got too freaking scared of it. I slept with the light on and never touched it again, lol.
ReplyDeleteI'm adding this to my "to read" list - sounds like such a powerful novel! I'm intrigued xx
ReplyDeleteIoanna | www.hearting.co.uk
I have never heard of this, but unconventional structures draw me right in. The story sounds quite eerie in a not so typical way, I definitely need to look into this one.
ReplyDeletenueyork.blogspot.com
I totally
ReplyDeleteagree that it's an exhausting read! I'm really glad I did read it though, it
had been on my shelves for ages. It's a bit of a clichƩ description, but I
think it's more and 'experience' that a book. It's fun
to read in public by the way: people make funny faces if you turn your book
around while reading ;)
This looks really interesting, especially with that unusual structure. Definitely adding this one to my to-read-list.
ReplyDeletexx Mimmi, Muted Mornings
This sound so interesting, will have to put it on my to read list :) xx
ReplyDeleteI added this to my reading list last week actually and can't wait for it to arrive. Thanks for the push to read it though :(
ReplyDeleteWow, it sounds really intriguing and exciting, too. I always have this weird dream that I find a new part of my house and it gives me the eeriest feeling.
ReplyDeleteHOLY CRAP, this book looks and sounds incredible! I'm curious though, how long did it take you to read? The only reason I ask is because the text style appears so ... confused and haphazard.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendation! It sounds sooo interesting!! x
ReplyDeleteoh gosh YES. I love odd and creepy stories. I can't wait to delve into this. Thanks for sharing! -eavan elizabeth
ReplyDeleteLove love love everything about House of Leaves! It's brilliant, creepy and chock full of clues and secrets and interesting references!
ReplyDeleteI am definitely going to get a copy of this. When I first heard about this book, I didn't even know it has a different layout! :) Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love this book so much! It's probably the most unique (and terrifying) book I've ever read, and perfect for Halloween! Those creepy claustrophobic passages...I'll never forget them.
ReplyDeleteTessa / Bramble & Thorn
This looks like such an interesting book, adding this to my Luvocracy folder of books to buy.
ReplyDeleteTaylor
Taylordevil.com
This looks incredibly cool. I am not sure how I feel about the readability of that unconventional writing, but it certainly looks amazing. Intrigued!
ReplyDeleteI've had this for ages and it's on my TBR for 2014 - think this will be my next read! :)
ReplyDeletenow i really have to read it. i'm gonna get over myself and pick it up at my parents' house soon!
ReplyDeletexo, cheyenne
I've been wanting to read this for ages, finally ordered it and it should arrive Monday, can't wait to get stuck in! All Things Beautiful
ReplyDeleteThank you for the recommendation! This sounds amazing and I'll definitely pick it up.
ReplyDeleteThe first time I picked the book up I only read half and then had to stop - I thought I was going mad.
ReplyDeleteIt's super powerful!
ReplyDeleteIt definitely is eerie and it's unlike anything else I have ever read.. make sure you pick up the original text as the newer versions have taken out the red and blue writing, I believe.
ReplyDeleteYes! When I try to describe the book to people it sounds such a cringe-inducing story line but it's SO GOOD!
ReplyDeleteIt's fantastic! The structure definitely adds to the warped story line.
ReplyDeleteLet me know if you read it and what you felt about it :))
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Please let me know what you thought about it :))
ReplyDeleteThat is creepy.. I'd like to hear more about that!
ReplyDeleteI can't really remember how long it took.. I know I read it on and off because I found it quite disturbing and, at times, difficult to read.
ReplyDeleteIt's a super good read!
ReplyDeleteAwesome :))
ReplyDeleteGlad you love it as much as I do!
ReplyDeleteThe original text has red and blue writing but I believe they took it out of following editions, so make sure you pick up an original :))
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely - it definitely left me feeling claustrophobic and some of the corridor scenes really left me spooked.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! :))
ReplyDeleteIt can be awkward to read.. but it's definitely worth it and the structure only adds to the experience.
ReplyDeleteLet me know what you think about it!
ReplyDeleteLet me know what you felt about the book after you finish reading it :))
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to hear what you think about it :))
ReplyDeleteWicked :))
ReplyDeleteHouse of Leaves is one of my favorite books. The ending did leave something to be desired but the rest of the book definitely made up for this.
ReplyDeleterae of love from berlin
This looks brilliant! I'll have to get this!
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