the end | spoilers and all

[Lala, owner]

rant and rave away!

what did you think about the book? did you finish it? final rating?
would you read it again? what do you think you would gain from it upon second read?

How does the form of the novel affect and reflect the emotional and narrative content of the book?

How does the experience of reading House of Leaves mirror the experience of the various characters in the novel?

Is this a horror story? What makes a horror story, a horror story?

[Hannah]

Just finished this last night, and holy shit what did I just read ?
So this is definitely a book I will not be able to give a rating to; there are just too many layers. On that note, I absolutely loved The Navidson Record. I could feel the anxiety and sense of dread building, and the formatting was so immersive and atmospheric.

However, I could completely do without Johnny's perspective. Seeing his descent into madness was a little interesting, but his life from the start was just too unbelievable. Every woman he ran into was offering him sex and drugs, which is just bonkers. The one time he turned a woman down she was even offended, and at this point he was completely skin and bones, and barely alive.

I've read some theories about the book, and some people suggest that Johnny doesn't exist either, Perhaps the whole story is written by his mother while institutionalized, or maybe his story ends so abruptly because he is simply a character in a book and his purpose had been fulfilled. It's all very meta, so you can look at it in a variety of ways. Either way I was not a fan of Johnny, and I have no clue what the hell was happening with him at the end.

So...can we talk about the fact that Navidson was reading House of Leaves on his last venture into the darkness ? I screamed when I read that line. Haha. I also thought it was interesting that shortly after he burned the book he was found by Karen and released from the void. I did realize that the page numbers didn't match up (at least in my edition), but then I realized that there are a few points where pages are missing, so they might have been there in Navidson's copy. It's such a mindfuck.

When looking at theories I did find out that it wasn't Zampano that made that the book Navidson was reading, but actually Johnny. I'm not sure of the significance of that, but I still thought it was interesting.

Something else that I find fascinating is how the book talks about how people can go mad from reading it, and become obsessive. With all of the symbolism, code, and theories surrounding this book, people can focus on it in real life way too much. It's kind of life imitating art. I could easily spend hours reading people's thoughts on this book, but I'm actively stopping myself, so I can just enjoy the story for what it is, and not drive myself crazy trying to understand it.

One thing though, I am hella proud that I have read this book. It's one I have been interested in reading for over a decade, but I was just too intimidated. So thanx for picking this for the book club !

[MJ]

*Head full, not thoughts* and you know don't mind me while I go stare blankly into AN abyss, not THE abyss

[Amanda]

.....what did i just read

[Amanda]

I haven't finished this yet, but the last question you posted here is something I ponder a lot. As a stout, life long horror fan, what exactly is it about the genre that I find so appealing? I find horror to be one of the most polarizing genres, the people who like it, it's their favorite, and the people who don't like it, avoid it at all costs. I rarely meet someone who is "meh" about horror.

So what makes horror, horror? Ultimately I think it's a horror book/movie/ect if it elicits a sense of unease, dread, or fearful apprehension, and it has an intent to do so. There are other genres that bump up against horror and often use the same techniques to draw out emotions, but I think intent plays a big role. A mystery can be suspenseful, but it's payoff is in solving the question, where as horror's payoff is the feeling of suspense, and any revelations only add to the suspense, not releases it. Action stories have a lot of tension, but it's an exciting tension, not scary. Dramas can be extremely uncomfortable, but the intent is to provide a different perspective or life experience, where as the discomfort we feel in horror is the point.

Ultimately I think something is a horror if the intent is to make you feel horrified. They can have greater themes (the movie Hereditary is all about dealing with grief for example) but it's clearly created to unsettle and disturb. There are other stories that also deal with that same grief, such as Rabbit Hole, and what happens in both stories are horrific, but only one has the intent to horrify.

[Sarah]

I finished this book yesterday. I gave it a 4 star rating. I very much appreciate the book. It is very different then I have ever read, and I also think the plots are unique and different. Obviously with this book it is a draw your own conclusions, so everyone is going to have a different perspective on how it "ended." No one will be wrong, so I think this will be a great platform for discussions and seeing other peoples thoughts and insights.

[Emily]

I'm rly glad this was a book club pick because i've always wanted to read it but could never force myself to, but here we are!!! Anyway, my review is below:

3.5 stars.

Reading this book became much more enjoyable once I realized you can just read the parts you want to read. Seriously. Don't bother reading every word of Johnny's verbose tangents, or every analysis on the psychology of the characters from made up sources, and definitely don't bother reading every word of the countless lists of random names and materials scattered throughout. There is a compelling narrative (or a few...) buried within all the excess, and I'd recommend just reading that part (or whatever parts interest you the most).

This book is definitely unique, I'll give it that. It can be interpreted in an infinite number of ways, yet I don't think I even have a solid interpretation myself. I enjoyed the Navidson story the most out of everything, though I wish we were given some more concrete answers. I know that's not the point, but the ending left me wanting, not more because oh god I could not get through even more pages of this, but something else. I did read the majority of Johnny's story as well (and all of his mom's), but I found that portion much less rewarding.

I also didn't really find this book to be all that scary. Sure, if I was in these characters' situation, I would be horrified, but nothing ever felt like it was a horror I would experience in the real world. That's what scares me the most in books— a horror that I feel like I may actually encounter. However, though the big, black void of nothingness is scary (especially to be eternally trapped in), I don't exactly have one of those in my house.

I'm glad that I did try out this book, because I've always been curious about it. While it ultimately didn't completely amaze me, I found some of it to be very strong. I will definitely never be reading it again because I can't imagine putting myself through that exhaustion for a second time. This book is honestly so draining, so tiring to read, and not just because of its density. Yes, it is written as a dissertation, with countless other branches of narrative and references jumping back and forth, but it's also just a massive book physically that requires you to hold it upside down and sideways. So, while I was (almost) prepared for the amount of mental strain this book would bring upon me, I don't think my arms were ready for that workout.

[Tayla]

If this had just been The Navidson Record (minus the over-describing involving maths and science in some areas of the book, such as when they measured the inside and outside of the house and found the measurements for inside were bigger) I think I would have enjoyed this a lot more.

But it rambled on a lot: like I said, it got way too technical at times about things I didn’t understand or care about (measurements/wall samples) and I could have done without Johnny’s story at all.

In general I enjoyed the reading experience of having the footnotes, although a couple of times I got very frustrated when footnotes started in random places that were further on or on previous pages.

At times I did consider DNF’ing or skipping sections but I stuck with it and I honestly don’t really think I got much out of this textbook sized book. Clearly my stubbornness didn’t pay off this time because I’m only giving this 2 stars.

I’ve never taken part in this book club before but this book intrigued me. Although I ended up not liking the book much, I’ll definitely take part in future months and at least I can said I conquered this beast!

[Christina]

I just finished this today and I am not really sure how I feel about it? I mean it kept me reading it and I finished it but like I'm not sure if I enjoyed this experience or not . It was a 3.75 rating for me. I think I need to sit on this for awhile and really think about how I feel overall about this book lol.

[Noelle]

I gave it 3 stars. It would have been 2 but I found the last 40% the most interesting part of the book.

I did put it down for a few days because the sexism in this book became so frustrating and pulled me out every time.

I watched a YouTube video about why this is the scariest book ever written and it came across as pretentious so now I'm annoyed.

[SnazzyMoose]

2 stars. I liked the whole scary house thing. But it ended up kinda falling flat. And then when you add on top of it all of the textbook explanations, it completely killed it. I also could deal with Johnny’s story and going mad. But he rambled so much that I could skip whole chunks and not miss anything. I also did not like flip flopping to the back of the book. I liked the weird angles and ways that things were written in some parts. But overall, the book was way too much work for way too little payoff. I’m glad it’s over. I may burn it in tribute.

[Kayla]

What the heck is with the f and s situation? I get that it has to do with Jamestown but I think I’m totally missing the point. For some reason my brain has decided that upon finishing that book we just need to focus on that one tiny detail lol

[Marie]

I finished with the book. Or at least as close to finished as I want to be. I preferred the Navidson Record portion. After reading about half the book I decided to just read Navidson part and go back to read Johnny’s part.
Even going back later and read Johnny’s portion and still found his contribution very creepy. I skimmed and skipped over lots of really weird stuff.
I’m glad I continued and in my mind I finished this book. I had never heard of book before. I will remember it. It is very strange and unsettling but I think that is what is the purpose of the book. I feel the saddest for Mallory (the cat). I also was sad for Tom but his actions saved the children. It was a way of redeeming himself for the years wasted to addiction.

[Elliot]

Just finished reading and there's no way I can personally give this book a rating.

I agree with you all in that The Navidson Project was the most intriguing and really had me hanging on. Johnny's additions were at times very long and boring but I found his experiences the most thrilling and scary - especially his first one in the tattoo shop.

I read every word on every page and I made a few scribbles in the margin here and there but I really tried not to attach myself so much to the codes and any secret messages. I don't feel like I've missed out on anything, or at least it doesn't feel like I have so that's nice. I'm not sure if I'll ever read it again, but I do think it'll be a book I think about for the rest of my life.

I think Danielewski is a very clever and intentional writer and I really applaud him for this book. Having watched and studied a lot of surrealist and meta-fiction, it's a very difficult yet freeing genre to be in so kudos there. If you like that sort of thing I really recommend Paul Auster - a reference was made to him in this book (422) - The New York Trilogy would be my book recommendation for him.

But yes, this book was a lot and there's so much going on and so much to think about. It gave me very Season 3 Twin Peaks vibes alongside The Blair Witch feelings.

[Kai]

Lovely wrote: "Okay, so I actually finished this like a week ago, lol~ I started it early because I was afraid it would take me too long to finish and I wouldn't make the deadline XD;;;

I did not like this book..."

your breakdown is exactly how i feel about the book!!! i hate johnny and his parts so much lol i give Mark props for his overall undertaking of writing it all, i know it also started a bit as a way to deal with his father dying and its cool his sister put together a companion music album (that i enjoy much more) but nooooooo thank you lol

[Kendra]

2 stars for me
Like some that I have read here
There were multiple times I wanted to DNF but was too stubborn to do so. Plus I already put a lot of time into this book. Unfortunately the payout I felt was no reward and I will not ever be picking this back up bc I just couldn’t imagine going though that text book again.
I also didn’t find it a horror book but it was for sure a mind F! I mean yes if I was going through what these characters were dealing with I would totally be scared but it wasn’t getting me to be in their shoes feeling and so I would be reading and thinking oh man that would suck but not thinking holy hell I’m needing a break bc I’m too scared to read more.
All in all I would say if you want a book that you can be like hell yeah I read that book and others would look at you in awe this is one of those. Just know that (at least in my opinion) your not reading this book for the joy of a great horror story.

[Suzanzanzan]

It was actually a 5 star reading experience for me. I definitely don't understand everything in the book, but I love reading about what people think and finding out more and more about it.

[Rebecca]

I started reading House of Leaves March 1st and just finished it 3:27pm March 31st. I was disappointed that Johnny didn’t find the house or any conclusion to his story. I’m actually confused on how it ended for him? Was his part over with him burning the book? I don’t get why he told the story about the mom, baby and Dr. Nowell.
I’m not going to rate it
I’ll watch the movie adaptation with Kevin Bacon.

[Rebecca]

EDIT: There is a movie called You should have left starring Kevin Bacon and after watching the trailer I was like cool a movie about House of Leaves but after looking it up I discovered it’s actually based on a book with the same title (You should have left) by Daniel Kehlmann written in 2017. Strange because it has scenes straight from House of Leaves like the endless stairs and the house measurements not adding up!!
I guess if you liked House of leaves you might like the book You should have left??

[Melanie]

I’m so confused. I have no idea what I just read. This is definitely a book I will have to re-read at some point. I couldn’t even rate it. I did enjoy the experience though. I’ll give it that. Off to Reddit to fall down the rabbit hole.

[Christine]

I finished this today! OK, I "finished" it, having skimmed a lot of the material aside from the narrative of the Navidson Record. This is my second time around and I didn't have patience for a lot of Johnny's story.

I was hovering between a 3 and 4 rating, because I recognize the intricate layering work Danielewski did here, but I also found Johnny's parts insufferable, other than the very early bits in the tattoo shop where he feels *something* stalking him.

However, I realized a lot of my criticisms just bring up ways that Danielewski anticipated/elicited those criticisms. For example:

* The book can come off as pretentious. But that makes the opening line of the Navidson section a really keen joke: it's a torturously acadamic-ese sentence reflecting on "authenticity." Cute, MZD.

* The ending of the Navidson narrative struck me as clunky this time around. Karen saves the day with ThE pOwEr Of LoVe. But this does fit with the established theme that the labyrinth reflects what you bring to it. Which - wait a minute - is what the book itself does as well.

*Johnny's voice and the academic Zampano voice aren't distinct. Zampano exhibits Johnny's erroneous "could of" formation within the Navidson Record, while Johnny busts out with $5 words and poetic, fancy wording that doesn't at all match with his history and status. OH, but is that just MZD pointing out to the reader that this is all falsehood and confusion, and reminding us Johnny isn't trustworthy and maybe none of this is legit at all?

And basically, if you start reflecting about the book in any way, you can go down a rabbit hole of deep literary analysis or just fun puzzle-thinking. Surely that deserves a tip toward the higher star rating.

(But I still hated Johnny's preposterous sexcapades and the general Male Gazeyness of the whole thing.)

[Rye]

I have officially finished! Thought I was going to have to put this book away for another time but pushed through. Johnny was honestly quite annoying. I did not care about his sexual experiences nor did I want to know. The story of the house was very interesting to me and kept me along for the ride. Overall a good read.

[Tracie]

This book has left me shook. I totally agree that Johnny's part was hard to get through at first. I wanted to give up and only read the Navidson sections but I am so glad I stuck with it because once I realized that it's all Johnny's mental decline, then couldn't put the book down. Johnny's final section, WOW! Recounting when his mom tried to strangle him for 5 and half minutes (the 5 and half minute hallway), stretching beneath an old ash tree (Ash Tree Lane), burning the book to stay warm (Navidson burning the book).

Then the topper of Pelafina's letters. Telling Johnny to leave a check mark and then go back and there's a random check mark in the corner on page 97. A coded message (A FACE IN A CLOUD NO TRACE IN THE CROWD). Then the reference to Emily Dickinson which immediately reminded me of her lines: "One need not be a chamber to be haunted, / One need not be a house; / The brain has corridors surpassing / Material place."

This book is such a haunting journey. It is certainly not for everyone and I totally understand why some didn't like it or gave up on it. It is a maze and you have to be in the right mind set if you are going to read this. It is horrifying because the human mind is a terrifying place. This book left me rattled and I cannot stop thinking about it. Can't wait for the live show!

[Sara]

So I finally finished! Yay! And I'm not surprised that my issues with the book when I tired to read it years ago are still an issue, but I am surprised with how much I ended up loving the Navidson Record.

When I tried to read it years ago, I stopped because I hated Johnny and this is very much a book that you can tell is written by a man. Does that make sense? Johnny as a character that has a very particular type of misogyny attached to him that the author can sort of try and distance himself from. You know? Like it's okay that Johnny's parts are incredibly misogynistic and unbelievable because they're supposed to be. But even if that was the intention, it still doesn't make it okay. I raised the issue years ago and I still feel like it stands.

That being said, overall I still enjoyed this book. I didn't spend a lot of time with Johnny and read through his parts rather quickly just because I truly didn't care about him and based on theories that I knew of that he might not have ever existed, just made me have no real connection to him. And the ambiguity of what "happened" to him didn't really leave me with any real questions or concerns about him. I just sort of shrugged and am going to move on from him.

But the Johnny-ness aside, I loved the Navidson Record and the House on Ash Tree Lane stuff. There was something so horrifying about reading this book that wrote about such a horrifying and painful time for this family in such a clinical and disconnected way. Maybe that's why I cared more about the Navidson family than Johnny? Because the author was trying too hard to get us to care about Johnny while maintaining a distance to the family? I'm a bit of a contrarian so it definitely does track that I would ultimately care more about what I might not supposed to care about.

The house and the labyrinth and even the chapter on the theories of the minotaur was so interesting and I found myself fascinated and totally understood why Navidson would go back into the house--especially after losing his brother. And Navidson had such a different desire surrounding the house than I was expecting. I thought he was going to want to solve it but it felt more like he just wanted to experience it, if that makes sense?

Karen for me is such an interesting character and I hope the live show talks about her. Because while I never hated her, I also never fully liked her and also felt sorry for her. It's almost like Danielewski didn't quite know how to categorize her as he does with all the women that Johnny interacts with--to be incredibly cruel: sex or mothers. Only Karen and Thumper are sort of an in between those two categories. I just found that interesting.

I'm honestly not sure what I would rate this right now but I did ultimately enjoy (sort of) my time reading this. And I really did love the stuff with the house. Would I read it again? Honestly... maybe. I was curious about all the theories surrounding it and never really dug too deeply the last time I tried to read it, but I might look around a bit at them now.

Overall, while this book is entertaining and does give a lot to think about, I can totally understand why some people can see this as a bit overinflated and self-important. It can come across that way in that Danielewski is trying too hard to be "more than a writer." (Don't look at "Only Revolutions.) Ultimately I think this book is really subjective and each person will likely have a different opinion on it.

[Ramakrishna]

just finished this one (ik im late but my copy arrived in April) and I must say that I loved the experience of reading this book. I do think it'll be a favourite of this year. 5/5

[Tori]

I too just finished - however, while parts were good, I don't think it was worth the trouble.