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House of Leaves
by Mark Z. Danielewski (Goodreads Author)
by Mark Z. Danielewski (Goodreads Author)
I finished this last night. At about 1:30 in the morning. Honestly, I have no idea how to even begin a review for this book. I kind of have the same panicky feeling I had when people would see me reading and ask what this book was about. I started blurting out incomplete sentences and even stammering all the while. I knew there was no way I could convey the brilliance of this book in just a couple light-conversational sentences. I think that might be the same case here, so my apologies in advance.
Okay, I've been sitting here for awhile trying to get my thoughts together, and I realized I'll have to get the book out and go over the insane amount of notes I took while reading this to make any sense. And while I've gotten pretty good at pretending to work while I'm actually playing around on Goodreads, I'm not that good...yet.
I think I went through an entire thing of Post-Its, that are now sticking out of the book every which way covered with crazy quotes and questions. (Here, I'll sneak a pic for a visual aid)
I don't think I've ever gotten so involved in a story before. Frantically taking notes, decoding a 3 page letter, and getting out of bed at midnight last night to play a sequence of notes on the piano...it really made me identify with Johnny's obsession. This book really isn't one of those supernatural/gory/monster horror novels, but more of a oh-my-god-I'm-losing-my-mind horror, which to me is one of the scariest things of all.
Okay, I've been sitting here for awhile trying to get my thoughts together, and I realized I'll have to get the book out and go over the insane amount of notes I took while reading this to make any sense. And while I've gotten pretty good at pretending to work while I'm actually playing around on Goodreads, I'm not that good...yet.
I think I went through an entire thing of Post-Its, that are now sticking out of the book every which way covered with crazy quotes and questions. (Here, I'll sneak a pic for a visual aid)
I don't think I've ever gotten so involved in a story before. Frantically taking notes, decoding a 3 page letter, and getting out of bed at midnight last night to play a sequence of notes on the piano...it really made me identify with Johnny's obsession. This book really isn't one of those supernatural/gory/monster horror novels, but more of a oh-my-god-I'm-losing-my-mind horror, which to me is one of the scariest things of all.
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Reading Progress
| 10/19/2009 | page 27 |
|
3.81% | 5 comments |
| 10/20/2009 | page 91 |
|
12.83% | "Letters from mom...WTF? (in a good way)" |
| 10/22/2009 | page 434 |
|
61.21% | "Thif might be the crazieft book I've ever read..." |
Comments (showing 1-15 of 15) (15 new)
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Becky
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Oct 18, 2009 02:38pm
Let me know what you think of this one. I own it, bought it for my boyfriend, but he hasn't read it yet, and looking through it, I think it's... strange.
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So far, it is strange. Very cool though. I'm still working my way through the beginning, but I already like it. I think it's the only novel I've ever read that has an actual index in the back. Uh, yeah. :)
..getting out of bed at midnight last night to play a sequence of notes on the piano.Awesome.
Must
read
this.
I clicked LIKE simply 'cause I love that photo with the words 'they have found a way to break me' scribbled on the paper slipped between the pages of the novel.Now I want to read this novel.
Oh God, Jessica ... this book is sitting here smiling at me. I really need a book that makes me wonder if I am insane.That has already been proven, although, after 16 years of trying, even my ex-husband could NOT prove it in court!!!
I hate taking notes ... why were you taking notes *whining* it's bad enough I have to turn it upside down ...
Ok Jessica. I have this sitting on my bookshelf, surrounded by tons of others waiting patiently to be read, but your review and photo has me thinking it should be the next one up!!!
Hmmm... I think I may need to move this up the list. I have to say that I've not really been looking forward to reading this one because of the style. I mean... how can there be a STORY there? How could you re-read it later? It would be completely different. But I will give it a try. :)
I would love to hear what you guys think if you start it. Rauf & Lori, there is a little coincidental Lost reference/connection that I caught in one of the footnotes.Oh yeah, the footnotes. Just a warning, if you don't like footnotes, stay away from this one. You'll be wanting to stab your own eyes out by the time you're done. Personally, I like 'em, so it just added to my enjoyment.
The footnotes almost did me in... but, I'll give credit to the book. Unraveling... that works. So does creepy. Good review, Jessica.
Well, looking at the book, it seems that the entire thing is one big set of footnotes. =\I'll give it a try one of these days.
Thanks, Kim! You're right, creepy and unraveling...perfect way to describe this one.Becky, despite being heavy on style (and footnotes), the story is actually quite good. I know if I were to re-read it, I'd catch a million more things I might have missed this time.
Suzanne, be careful...your ex may be able to prove differently after you read this one. :) You don't have to take notes, it just helped with the flipping back and forth. Plus, I usually do that with a lot of books I read, cuz I'm a nerd like that.
I loved The Bell Jar, Liz. I read it about 10 years ago, and I've been wanting to re-read it to see what I would think about it now.
