helena_sf 's review for:

House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

5.0

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A genre-defying masterpiece. Quite simply the most impressive piece of fiction I have read, ever. On completing the book, you are left with the feeling that this is just the beginning and have the urge to re-read from the start and gain new insights and meaning. So I’d say although I have completed the book, it’s by no means finished. The book is hugely rewarding and leaves your mind expanded. For those looking for a genre summary, I’d say a literary metaphysical horror and academic satire, with themes of epistemology, identity, reality, trauma and love. But this does no justice to the text which is immersive and engrossing. The book makes the reader feel like a participant. Trigger warning- there are some very tough scenes and I found spacing out reads and reading in smaller doses and in the morning to be helpful but people will vary in the best approach for them. In summary, never have I read a book that’s intellectually enriched me with its analysis, emotionally engaged me in the characters and gripped my interest in the mystery of the plot in equal measure. The author is nothing short of a genius.