Decent scary story with a lot of artistic writing attached. Way over rated in my opinion. Do not read this simply for the horror. Read it if you're interested in literature and storytelling. If the horror novel encased in this were broken out from everything else, it would be a good stand alone. Unfortunately the majority of this book is not interesting filler to go along with the theme of how the story is portrayed.

One part text-based Blair Witch-style documentary, one part critical analysis rife with subtext and personal tragedy, and one part slow descent into madness, House of Leaves is an experimental horror story that purports to be a compilation of notes made on a documentary film, 'The Navidson Record', that might never have existed. Sort of a haunted-house story, if instead of the house being haunted by a ghost, the occupants are haunted by the house itself--and the strange labyrinth into which it opens. One of my favorite cerebral horror stories, the text shapes the house as much with its format as its words, twisting along the pages as the events grow stranger, and the disordered nature of the characters who have pieced together the manuscript makes it as much a mystery as a chiller.

-Hillary D. -

A postmodern nest of narratives. While this may not sound like a riveting read, this is a fascinating book that works on many levels. You can read it as a great spooky story about the investigation of odd events surrounding a family. But, if you want to delve deeper, this book rewards your efforts. -- Brandon C.

Mark Z. Danielewski’s House of Leaves is a mind-bending work of postmodern fiction. The story is simple: a family moves into a house and finds a hallway that is larger on the inside than the outside. But House of Leaves contains a hidden depth that, like the hallway, becomes increasingly enigmatic as it is explored.

The plot is embedded in multiple layers of commentary, creating a nestled structure that turns the book into a labyrinth. In order to find a way out, the reader has to engage with deep philosophical questions. What is the relationship of author and text? How does the form of the novel differ from film and photography, and how do these mediums affect our view of the world? What is the nature of memory, history, darkness?

If you enjoy grappling with these kinds of Borgesian puzzles, I recommend picking up House of Leaves. It is a strange, dark odyssey that is sure to challenge your perspective of the world. - Anthony C.

This book has permanently shaped the way I view literature. It takes our expectations of what we think a book should be and completely shatters them. I wish I could go back and read this for the first time again, but even with every reread, I notice something new. I'm currently trying to force everyone I know to read it !!! [ not to great success lol] 20/10, a rating system can't even capture the depth of what a masterpiece this is. A book that will certainly be remembered for centuries to come.