House of Leaves is Mark Z. Danielewski’s second published book. The story line is complex and at times hard to follow. Full of foot notes, appendices, and lists, House of Leaves has plenty of content to keep you busy for at least a year. It begins with the story of Johnny Truant and how he finds out about Zampano, who is writing a piece on The Navidson Record. From there the stories become intertwined and it’s hard to tell the reality of the story from what is occuring in the narrator’s head. A very confusing but rewarding novel I was not ready for the ending. I read up to the very last chapter and stopped for nearly two months. I didn’t want the book to end.
House of Leaves drew me into the story, something that many books have failed to do. The characters are believeable with rich personalities and quirky characteristics. At times the story seems a bit far fetched but the characters keep it all within reach. I felt sorry for Zampano who lived without light. I felt sorry for Daisy who grew up through the lens in a camera. I felt sorry for Karen and Navy for all they went through. I felt deeply for all characters, major and minor, that wove House of Leaves together. I felt like I was there and the house collasped.