House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of House of Leaves
Book Review: A mind altering experience
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is unlike anything you'll ever read. If you let it, it will invade your life and change your perspective. Well worth it, if you can handle it's terminal uniqueness.Book Review: A must read for all literary enthusiasts
Summary: 5 Stars
Being midway through my career as an English and Philosophy double major at a small private, undergraduate college, I am always on the lookout for literature that is at the cutting edge of its field. I feel no shame in stating that I am wont to wandering through bookstores and picking out, at random, those books whose covers catch my eye. I don't always purchase them as a result of this, but I always give them a look through, flip the pages, see what there is to see. When I came across House of Leaves, I was at first wary. "A family that discover their house is bigger on the inside..." was certainly a description to catch the eye, but could I really handle the "upside down" footnotes? The scattered pages? It made me nervous so I put it back down and walked away. But the book haunted me even before I picked it up, and some time later I returned and bought a copy. The exposition of the novel is good, but didn't draw me in as I wanted it to and so at first I was disappointed, thinking that once again the synopsis of the book would be better than the read itself. Curiousity forced me to persist, however, and several dozen pages into it I found that I could not put it down. I was often so anxious to find out what happened next that I would begin to skim pages, only to force myself to slow down and go back to absorb them properly.
Danielewski's end result is a fast-paced, clever invention that haunts me even months after I've closed it. It's one of those books that I feel I must always take with me, and guard because the words therein are precious and must be protected from those who do not understand, or appreciate. Truly a stunning read, but not for the faint of heart, and not for those who aren't willing to put a little effort into their reading.
This book requires a strict appreciation for literary experimentation. If you're a writer, as I am, it's the kind of book you always wished you'd had the guts to put on paper. Brava, Mr. Danielewski, brava.
Book Review: A must read..
Summary: 5 Stars
I cant say aything less than AMAZING. Its a must read for someone that wants a little scare with out the gore. You just have to get past the first 40 or so pages and I was hooked I was making other people drive so I could read in the car, and staying up all night by a lamp unable to put it down.Book Review: A must-read for lovers of literature as an art form
Summary: 5 Stars
House of Leaves begins with an exciting mixture of humor and intrigue. The reader really begins to wonder is this is truly a work of fiction being that the novel is written in such a way you are drawn into all aspects and layers of the book. This is by far one of the most creative and original novels I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Not only does Danielewski have a groundbreaking style, but the multiple stories that occur are fascinating as well. The most basic premise of the novel is a story of a family that moves into a house that appears to be growing from the inside, a blind man who has died, thus leaving the family's story behind, and a young man named Johnny Truant who discovers the text and is being deeply affected by the book as each chapter progresses. The plot is very intricate yet wonderful. To try and summarize it here would serve as a horrible injustice to the story. Occasionally, some sections drag, but it is worth continuing past them to get to the heart of the novel. This may seem like the story line could be too complex, but those that truly love literature as an art form will be pleased and delighted.
I was drawn in from page xi. That's right, page xi.
Interesting note: Danielewski's sister is singer/songwriter Poe. Her second album, "Haunted" corresponds and was inspired by the novel. The CD is a must-have companion to the book.
Book Review: A physical challenge
Summary: 4 Stars
Not only was I completely captivated by the plot, I was also physically challenged in reading this novel. I was constantly flipping back for the creative footnotes and the format of the prose was perfectly fitting for the novel's plot. I am always looking for something unique to read, and I could not put this down.