A review by cuppachaii
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I don't even know what to say. This is my favourite book. It makes sense that it's becoming popular right now, since --despite coming out twenty years ago-- it blends all the current horror trends of lost media, liminal horror, analogue horror, and coded-lore-horror. I cannot recommend this enough for someone who wants to read a really difficult book and flip wildly between footnotes, indexes, and appendices to reveal some of the most subtle, creeping horror I've read. This is the only horror novel that's gotten me so scared it stopped me in my tracks, and it did it several times. The way it accomplishes this is by getting under your skin and slowly worming its way into your psyche so it can rearrange itself (ha) without you noticing. This book was good enough that my illiterate ass pushed through and read a paper copy (which you must do). 

If you like books that get you obsessed, scouring forums, and uncovering secrets: read this. I cannot suggest it highly enough. It's impossible to describe the plot in less than a paragraph, which is the point. This is the kind of book you want to discuss with other fans as you make a spiderweb of twine on a corkboard. If you like subtle horror and interesting writing, read this. Do not miss this book.
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