I just realized, that this week, exactly 10 years ago I was finishing up my read of House of Leaves. It totally messed me up, but then, that’s the whole point of the book — to mess with your mind for no reason whatsoever. I still believe, no matter what some people say, that it’s the highest form of legitimate pretention. I believe(d) that all that word play, all the tricks, and all the stupid waste of the rainforest is/was worth it.
I would read it again, but seriously, the thought makes me unable to sleep at night. Reading it again… who knows what it would do to me. I already have totally bizarro dreams, so I think I’ll reserve it for another time.
Anyone else a fan? Or not a fan? Anyone read it?
madisonparklove
I’m scared just from reading the blurb. No way I’d be able to get through it!!
Cole
You should go to a bookstore sometime, and just pick it up and look at it and at the pages. It’s seriously crazy, with appendices in code and upside down writing, in a circle writing, and pages with just one word on them for a whole sentence. It’s pretentious at first and I kept thinking, this is so ridiculous, and then the story started getting to me, it got a little creepier and then it was like the crazy formatting completely changed the mood and tone of the story. It’s hard to describe. It’s like a 3D book
madisonparklove
Okay, now I’m seriously intrigued!
Kate McMurray
That was a favorite book of a good friend of mine for a while. It’s crazy, but so well done. It’s been a while since I looked at it, but I remember the book design being really amazing. It makes it kind of an interactive reading experience. Danielewski has another book that I read and remember liking… Only Revolutions, I think.
Cole
Yeah I remember when Only Revolutions came out, around 2005 I think? Anyway, I raced out and bought a copy, but life then was really hectic, last year of college, so I never got around to reading it. I should do that
Thanks for the reminder!
It’s sort of oddly beautiful, the design of the book. And the thing is that it’s actually effective, it’s not just there to be excessive.
Sadonna
I’m loaning T my copy. I started it, but for some reason I never got around to finishing it and it’s WAY too big for me to haul around on planes
Cole
LOL It is WAY too big to haul around, that’s true!
Lisa Henry
I’ve heard so much about this book, and it sounds intriguing. It seems that people either really love it or really hate it. I might have to buy a copy to find out which camp I’m in!
Cole
Yes that is definitely the truth. And I kinda want to read it again. It’s been ten years, who knows? I might have a different reaction this time… I’d like to see
sarahblack5
this sounds like it needs to go on the to-read list! I have read a couple of mind-benders I really liked- The Raw Shark Texts surprised me at every turn, which I really liked; Naked Lunch by William Burroughs was also a mind-bender but I couldn’t finish it. I felt like I was reading my way into some twisty tropical vine and I couldn’t find my way out and it had me trapped! I wonder sometimes if it gave me a small stroke. That one is at the top of my list of books that will make my head explode.
Cole
It’s worth a try, Sarah and it’s definitely not like Naked Lunch (which I couldn’t finish either!) because the transition downward into insanity (in the plot, which is reflected in the house and in the characters) is subtle. When I read Naked Lunch, or tried anyway! I felt like I was listening to a musical track that I couldn’t keep beat to, does that make sense? probably not. But it’s not something that I want to try again now that it’s been about 15 years!
orannia
Ah, never heard of it…. *ducks*
Cole
LOL, you might be lucky
Nightmare free anyway (hopefully!)