House of Leaves

by Mark Z. Danielewski
House of Leaves cover
Good Books rating 4.08
Horror
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Paperback • £32.00 Hardback • £40.00
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Format • £38.00
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  • ID: 7599
  • Added: 2025-12-16
  • Updated: 2025-12-31
  • ISBN: 9780375703768
  • Publisher: Pantheon
  • Published: 2000-01-01
  • Formats: 3
  • Reviews: 3

House of Leaves is a unique and terrifying story that has captivated a devoted following since its inception. Originally a badly bundled heap of paper, it has since been made available in book form, complete with colored words, vertical footnotes, and multiple appendices. The novel's cultural fascination remains as fervent as ever, inspiring academic courses, urban legends, and various forms of art. The story follows photojournalist Will Navidson and his companion Karen Green as they discover the impossibility of their new home, leading to a chilling tale of creature darkness and an ever-growing abyss. /n/n The novel's structure and content have been praised for their originality and creativity, with critics hailing it as a masterpiece of horror and an astonishingly immersive reading experience. Its impact on popular culture is undeniable, with references and adaptations appearing in various mediums. The story's exploration of the subconscious and its thrilling narrative make it a must-read for fans of horror and literary fiction.

Reviews
The Nottingham Horror Collective · 2023-01-11
innovative 4.50

The book is a unique and sadistic experience that challenges the reader to piece together the story. The technical execution is impressive.

The reviewer highlights the unique and sadistic nature of the book, where the reader is challenged to piece together the story themselves. This adds a layer of complexity and engagement that sets it apart from typical horror novels. They praise the technical execution, noting that the book is a rare debut that is genuinely exciting in its approach. The reviewer appreciates the innovative structure and the way it keeps the reader actively involved.

Quick quotes

    It's one thing to read a scary story, but to actually have to piece it together yourself; that's something entirely more sadistic.

    What the book achieves in terms of technical execution is impressive.

    It is a rare debut: genuinely exciting in its technical approach.

Grimdark Magazine · 2022-05-23
haunting 4.00

The story is eerie and enjoyable, with well-developed characters that captivate the reader. The narrative's complexity adds to its intrigue.

The reviewer found the story to be very eerie and enjoyable, with a somewhat tangled plot that adds to its intrigue. The characters are well-developed, and their personalities are engaging. The narrative's complexity is part of its charm, making it a captivating read. They appreciated the unique structure and the way it keeps the reader on their toes. Overall, it's a haunting and enjoyable experience.

Quick quotes

    The story itself, while somewhat tangled, was very eerie and enjoyable.

    The characters are all very well done, and watching their personalities unfold is a treat.

    The narrative's complexity is part of its charm.

The Guardian · 2000-07-15
exciting 3.75

The book is a rare debut that is genuinely exciting in its technical execution, despite some unconvincing elements. The voice of Johnny Truant is invasive but adds to the overall experience.

The reviewer notes that the book is a rare debut that is genuinely exciting in its technical execution. They mention that the voice of Johnny Truant is invasive and unconvincing at times, but it adds a layer of complexity to the overall experience. The reviewer appreciates the innovative structure and the way it challenges traditional narrative forms. They find the book to be a unique and engaging read, despite some flaws.

Quick quotes

    House of Leaves is partly hobbled by the invasive, unconvincing voice of Johnny Truant.

    It is nonetheless a rare debut: genuinely exciting in its technical execution.

    The book is a unique and engaging read, despite some flaws.

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