50 book challenge. Book 6.

[deliriumcrow]

House of Leaves, Mark Danielewski.

Umm ... I'm not sure what to say, but there's more going on than is immediately apparent. I'll have to read it again, just to see what I missed (I *know* I missed things, with as many times as I stopped and started that thing). Knowing what the ending is, I can't help but think that there were things in the beginning that are somehow much more pertinent now. One friend has the theory that it's abotu growing up with parents who are insane, but I dont' think that quite covers everything in there. I can see it as a possible interpretation, and there are certainly elements of that in there, but there are so many different layers to the thing, just as far as story lines are concerned. And yes, one of them does have to do with the child of a crazy woman. But I really do need to read it again to get more of the picture, I think. It's the sort of book that has clues everywhere, I'm thinking ...

Also, do not read it on a creepy night in a dark house alone. Trust me on this. Or, well, if that's your thing it might be a lot of fun.

Next up: Will Storr vs the Supernatural.

Comments

[serendipitygirl.livejournal.com]

Now *that* is an exceptionally dense and very messed up book. It's kind of impossible not to miss *something* therein.
It's also the kind of read that, um, clings when it's done, if that makes any sense. Of course, given that (I presume) you've finished it, you know now.

[deliriumcrow.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, it makes perfect sense. And at 700 pages with the most fucked up foot notes ever, it can't be anything but dense ... I tried to explain it to people, and failed utterly. It sort of defies that sort of thing, which I actually quite enjoyed.

Part of the reason it took so long to read it (I think I started a couple years ago and didn't get past 50 pages or so) was that it reminded me *far* too much of a house I used to live in. >_

[serendipitygirl.livejournal.com]

Odd fact: The album Haunted by Poe is all about House of Leaves - largely because she's related to the author (sister I believe).

[deliriumcrow.livejournal.com]

Yes, I was listening to it while reading! It made me all sorts of happy. And yeah, she is his sister.

[serendipitygirl.livejournal.com]

*G* Sweetness. That was actually how I was first exposed to the book (and...wow, that was like 5.5 years ago.) I would think that Poe as soundtrack would just amp up the creepy factor. :D

[deliriumcrow.livejournal.com]

Oh it does! I heard abotu it because one of my freinds read it, and said I have to and that was ... probably about the same amount of time ago. Oh well.

[serendipitygirl.livejournal.com]

Interesting bit of synchronicity, neh? :P I think a friend of mine still has a copy of that - I'll have to ask her if I can borrow it....

[aliyna.livejournal.com]

I have a friend who really really wants me to read this.
But I'm the sort of person who cannot read a haunted eBay listing and sleep the same night, so...
I really shouldn't.

[deliriumcrow.livejournal.com]

**grin** I swear I live in a five and a half minute hallway, except mine is much nicer. Very friendly and all that ...

As writing style goes, I'm pretty sure you'd love it. As for creepy factor, you'd be under the bed. :)

[tetsujinnooni.livejournal.com]

creepy night, dark house, not-quite-alone sounds like a better reading scenario...

but then, I do have that odd resemblance to an oversized lecherous teddy-bear for the freaking out types. ;)

[koffeefrkeleven.livejournal.com]

grrr.

i'm only on my third book for this year.

i'll read more once i am working less hours.