House of Leaves in Bookworm Buddies

Mar 03, 2013 Janie Johnson rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013

I had heard so much about this book that I was dying to read it. It even won in our poll for scary Halloween reads in my group. So I patiently waited for its arrival since I bought it from Amazon. I was biting at the bit to get to it. And of course it seemed to take forever for it to arrive, When it got here I practically tore into it. First thing to say is this. The Author has got the mind of Einstein. It most definitely shows in his writing.

There were some great parts to this book, great poeti I had heard so much about this book that I was dying to read it. It even won in our poll for scary Halloween reads in my group. So I patiently waited for its arrival since I bought it from Amazon. I was biting at the bit to get to it. And of course it seemed to take forever for it to arrive, When it got here I practically tore into it. First thing to say is this. The Author has got the mind of Einstein. It most definitely shows in his writing.

There were some great parts to this book, great poetic lines, even pretty good characters to enjoy. But nonetheless it was an exhausting read. So if you decide to read it, keep that in mind. I had a couple of other books to read along side of it. Otherwise I may not have ever finished this. By the time I finished the book, which seemed forever, it felt as though it was really not worth the trouble and the focus it took to endure it. IMO. It was kind of like part college lessons, part medical journal, part mythology, and then part actual story.

The book is very original, I will give it that. I have never seen nor read a book quite like this one, and we probably won't ever see another unless Danielewski writes another one just like it. If that should happen then this book will still be the only one I ever see. I don't think I could take another mind boggling experience as this one. Stuff like the missing letters or words, that made you go hmmm. The bright read 'strikeout' print was a killer on the eyes, and I could have done without that. The several pages with one line of print on them. I am not entirely sure the point of that, but it made for some quick progression through the book. And the many pages that read like something out of a medical journal made me feel like I just earned a PHD.

The poetry in the book was really quite nice, and I really enjoyed reading what there was in this book. I have always been pretty big on poetry. And of course the explorations through the halls and corridors and the mystery of the house were both fascinating and exciting. I mean the concept of a house that can change the way it looks, by the size and shape of it is pretty interesting to say the least. I also found 'moms' letters to John pretty fascinating. There were actually several chapters I enjoyed.

The story is not a scary one, it is plain and simple, mind boggling if I am being honest. And maybe that was the Authors intent. A lot of it, for me, just rambled on making my head hurt and my mind reel. So if you are looking for a terrifying read this is not the book to choose. The very first part of the book had me hooked, I wanted to keep reading even though my mind felt truly exhausted. And then the further I went the faster I wanted it done. So pick up the book and form an opinion of your own, and maybe you will see things differently then I did. With all that said the book came up pretty short for me and left me disappointed. ...more

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