House of Leaves: A literary labyrinth-Una Wachter Charter East Dulwich

House of Leaves understandably may appear daunting to many, having over 700 pages and being organised in what at first appears to be an encyclopaedic or even textbook format. However, a quick flick through the pages will reveal that the book is anything but standard. Words jump across the paper, flip upside down, squeeze into small corners, or even leave the page completely empty. Tempting as it may be to investigate these oddities further, persist instead to the first page, where the story begins with the single sentence: “This is not for you.”

The plot of House of Leaves follows the main character Johnny Truant, who enters the apartment of his neighbour Zampanò when he dies. On the floor he discovers an unfinished and disorganised manuscript, which he begins to slowly read. The manuscript is a study of a documentary film called The Navidson Record. In the film, Will Navidson and his wife, Karen, move into a new house with their two children. However, it soon becomes clear that there is something gravely amiss in the house. Sound confusing? It gets worse, so bear with me. As Johnny soon discovers, the film doesn’t seem to actually exist. So who is Will Navidson? Where is this mysterious house? And why on earth did Zampanò dedicate his life to studying it? 

The rest of the book switches between narratives at a sometimes disconcerting pace. We hear from Johnny, struggling with alcoholism, drug use, and pure terror as the Navidson Record begins to seep into his life. Meanwhile, we also follow the events of the Navidson Record itself as Will Navidson attempts to figure out what is going on with his house and why there’s something very, very wrong with its proportions…

House of Leaves is a journey certainly not for the faint of heart. Many readers experience that the first 50-100 pages are the hardest to conquer, because they can feel dense and overwhelming, as well as extremely confusing. If you lose motivation when Zampanò gets into a particularly lengthy explanation of how sound travels, you’re not alone, and it may be tempting to stop reading. However, even if you need to take a break, the best thing you can do is persist. I promise, it’s worth it. 

Danielewski effortlessly drives the plot forward in the most thrilling ways imaginable. Although saying an author “brings characters to life” is no doubt an overused praise, it is achieved so well in House of Leaves that it would be a crime to overlook it. Throughout the two months it took me to conquer the novel, returning to it felt like returning to a good friend. There are few recurring characters throughout the novel, and yet every one of them is perfectly weaved together into one majestic symphony of a story. 

What is perhaps most striking about House of Leaves is how it leaves you once you turn its final page. It is terrifying, but in a much more profound way than simple horror. I read the last words at 1 AM on a Tuesday night, and I was left feeling empty, confused, and disturbed. As if everything I knew to be true didn’t make quite as much sense as it used to. I longed to instantly read it all again. Needless to say, I slept with the light on that night. 

House of Leaves has gained a large community on platforms such as reddit, where the subreddit r/houseofleaves sees fans discussing codes hidden in the pages, various interpretations of the ending, and fan theories. The book has received high praise from critics, being described as “Funny, moving, sexy, beautifully told, an elaborate engagement with the shape and meaning of narrative” by the New York Times Book Review. 

So if you’re looking for something to read this winter, or perhaps a holiday gift for a booking loving friend or family member, House of Leaves may be just what you need. But proceed cautiously, because it could change your life and the perception of the world around you forever.