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Book Review of House of Leaves

House of Leaves
socosummer avatar reviewed on
Helpful Score: 2


This book ruined the last three months of my senior year of high school in the absolute best way ever. I still have nightmares about things (closets, my purse, the new apartment) being bigger on the outside than on the inside - you'd have to read it to understand, but it's a sensation I find both liberating and terrifyingly claustrophobic.

If this book doesn't drive you a little bit more insane every time you read it, then you're simply not paying enough attention. An intoxicating blend of multifaceted characters, subtle tonal nuances that may mean everything or nothing to the story as a whole, and some straight-up weird typography, House of Leaves inspires a visceral reaction from the reader that is unexpected yet life-altering.

I have now owned four copies of this book - the last two I have given away to dear friends, because this is the gift that keeps on giving, no matter how unnervingly so, and my most recent copy is peeking out from under my bed.

The first one? Well, I could have sworn I put it on my bookshelf when I finished it, but...