A review by erin_mae9797
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

challenging dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I think this is the kind of book that can only be appreciated when you take the time to really explore it, and it certainly asks A LOT of the reader. I was left wanting more once I was done. So I went and read every deep dive and theory I could find on it, and that's when it all started to click.

I think it is quite the feat what Danielewski is able to do with House of Leaves, crafting hidden parallels between each story, only apparent after you are finally able to put the pieces together. He manages to create this subconscious link between not only each character's story, but also between the story we are reading, his own life, and the reader. Just as each one is an echo of the other, so too is our experience as we continue to explore the labyrinth and try to decipher what the "truth" really is.

Favorite Parts: (No/Light? Spoilers) 
  • The Navidson Record - I desperately wish I could watch this. I was fully invested every time the story was focused on the documentary. 
  • Pelafina's Letters - Probably the most haunting part of the book for me. 
  • Exploration - If you really like things like ARGs and theorizing then I think you may really enjoy this. Trying to figure out "what it all means" is half the fun. 

It can be extremely difficult to keep reading at times, but once I finally finished, I was left thinking about it for days. I think that's at least worth something. :)