How to read House of Leaves by Mark Z Danielewski - spoiler free review and discussion

Help the channel by buying House of Leaves using one of the links below - you get it normal price, I get a small fee as an affiliate.
Paperback:
Amazon US: amzn.to/3NgQVyR
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3PpJxDi
Bookshop UK: uk.bookshop.or...
___
My review and discussion of Mark Z Danielewski's famously weird experimental novel House of Leaves.
Synopsis:
A young couple - Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Will Navidson and his partner Karen Green - move into a small home on Ash Tree Lane.
But something is terribly wrong - their house is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside.
Neither Will nor Karen are prepared to face the consequences of this impossibility.
What happens next is loosely recorded on videotapes and interviews, leading to a compilation of the definitive work on the events on Ash Tree Lane, unveiling a thrilling and terrifying history.
Loose sheets, stained napkins and crammed notebooks prove to be far more than the ramblings of a crazy old man . . .
___
New videos every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday at 5pm UK time, noon Eastern, 9am Pacific
___
Join my Discord: / discord
___
Currently accepting crime, pulp and horror books for review. Email CriminOlly (at) gmail.com
___
If you'd like to support the channel you can donate via Ko-Fi or buy me a book from my Amazon wishlist.
Ko-FI: ko-fi.com/crim...
Amazon: www.amazon.co....
___
Music: Who's Afraid of Halloween by Alfred Grupstra from Pixabay

[@noodlepoodlegirl]

I know this sounds crazy, but I just finished watching Backrooms videos by Kane Pixels on KZbin. I’m looking for books that are a bit meta-, existential, very creepy with a heavy (possibly unanswered) suspense books that are in the same vein… Does anybody have any recommendations?

[@CriminOllyBlog]

The Raw Shark Texts by Steven Hall is one that springs to kind.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

@@noodlepoodlegirl my pleasure! Hope you enjoy it!

[@HongKongEclectic]

I was just about to recommend the Raw Shark Texts.

[@facundopitton9011]

i thinkig of ending things

[@____uncompetative]

@@facundopitton9011 Do you have the power to instigate a nuclear holocaust that would not only eradicate all of humanity (debatable if that would be a bad thing), but also wipe out all biodiversity, including kittens? Why do you want to nuke kittens?

[@driphearts8035]

Me deciding to have this be my bounce-back book after not reading novels since my middleschool days was... certainly one of the choices I ever made.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Ha ha! Yeah it's not necessarily the book I would recommend for that

[@stevemarie7]

oh boy I'm on chapter 9 and this comment hits lol

[@Foxiepawstotti]

Yeah I hear you!

[@graphixvizion]

That is definitely one of the choices to ever make

[@ten_plates4969]

I’m in the exact same boat as you but I have to get it it drives my curiosity insane

[@battlemaster2203]

I'm an avid gamer. Don't read besides comics. Used to read alot but stopped. Found out about this book from a video about a doom 2 mod replicating the idea. Ordered it straight after and I haven't been more excited to read a book in like 10 years. I usually look up reviews and commentaries for games, never books.

[@x_hibernia]

Same here but I did read the institute letter's before hand and it'll be nice to know why theirs messages hidden in the first letter of every word and they sound like mental case nursery rhymes, I won't tell you them I'll just let you spell out that madness for yourself also theirs like 7 other books that are meant to lead up to the leaves book so there's a load more crazy to read, myself I can't wait

[@johnrushman1586]

This book reminded my of a superhero novel. Kind of a 13 ghosts, Jumanji feel.

[@williamjackson8782]

Have you played Control? The setting is inspired by this book. I won’t say much, but it takes place in “The Oldest House” the biggest building in New York City… but you cannot see the building unless you already know it exists. And yes of course it’s bigger on the inside than the outside.

[@Ghost-lt4sf]

I watched Jacksepticeye play that mod and have been thinking of HOL ever since!

[@NULL_VOID_BigPain]

dam we all here cause of myhouse.wav

[@SynsBookNook]

I like how this book takes you out of your reading comfort zone. It’s such a unique experience that you don’t get from your everyday book. It was wild.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Yeah, it felt more like an experience than a normal book. Crazy stuff

[@sterlingcampbell2116]

So far I'm equal parts bored and annoyed

[@kariissmol9172]

I'm currently on page 80 of the navidson record. I ordered it from the US, because I wanted an english version. And when I opened it, it said "printed in germany". WHERE I LIVE. in other words this poor block of dead tree flew over the big puddle twice for me to read.

[@late_night_club]

Just for you. That’s special.

[@Ghost-lt4sf]

😂

[@akqa8186]

The footnote you mentioned with the pages of words actually encodes a bunch of messages if you look at the first letter of their surnames! The book is full of these secrets

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Ah fascinating - thank you!

[@girlsaint]

I read it straight through the first time, no flipping, but I was part of a group read on Discord. The participants were very involved and were adding their take on each of the chapters and footnotes and adding some "meanings" to various parts of the book that really added to my enjoyment. I will go back and read it in another direction (this time flipping and following the footnotes). I am glad to hear that you also enjoyed it.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

I think that kind of group read would have frustrated me!

[@noodlepoodlegirl]

Hello fellow Kelly! You are my sign to assign this as a must read-sounds like the Discord was SO INTERESTING! Excited to dive in, delivery scheduled for Saturday.

[@ostenbelew6499]

Just got this book for Christmas and blew right through the book’s introduction in one day. I usually hate book introductions but I can already tell this isn’t any other book.

[@yellow_jacket3260]

As I am reading this book, I think the nuances and the details actually serve an incredibly simple purpose, as understanding the underlying mechanics of how the house works, it is as though that the house itself is reaching out to you

[@CriminOllyBlog]

That's a great observation

[@MatthueLoose]

You are closer to its true concept that you may realize... well done!

[@aettic]

I love this book, have read it multiple times, and am revisiting it presently. It's easily my favorite book and one of the reasons is that each time I read it I encounter things that I hadn't realized before, or new ways of marching through its mazes that hadn't occurred to me before. Highly recommend for anyone who's into eclectic fiction, horror, romance, gothic literature, philosophy, psychology, or is already used to reading academic works and is looking for a reprieve that pokes fun at some of that stuff.

[@doktor_ghul]

I've read both HOUSE OF LEAVES and THE RAW SHARK TEXTS, and enjoyed both of them in much the same way, mostly because I love books ( and entertainment in general ) about reality versus perception, and the way we view reality versus how it " really " is. HOL is literally what it says on the tin; a book is a House of Leaves, and all the characters live inside. The Raw Shark Texts takes that one step further and makes the shark literally hunting the characters IN THE BOOK, so their world is made of ideas, text, grammar, and all the things that a book consists of...and the shark is the conception, the idea, the grammatical construction that a shark in a book really is. Both are fascinating.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Yes, it's great to see an author playing around with books in that way

[@Starlite2119]

The Raw Shark Texts is one of my favorite books of all time! I have owned HOL for over a decade, but I never got past the first few chapters... This makes me want to try until I finish it... finally! 💖👍 Thank you!

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

I just finished House of Leaves this afternoon and I’m so glad I’ve read it. There were parts I loved (mostly the Navidson parts, and especially the pages where the text placement reflected his situation), and there were parts I found so annoying and a lot of hard work. Worth it in the end but I definitely didn’t understand everything in it. Very unsettling, and I much preferred the storyline over the academic parts. My top tip for other readers would be, take a buddy reader with you, especially when you enter “the labyrinth”, to encourage you not to give up! 😊 I’ve never read anything like it.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Great summary of it! Glad you made it through, Alice. Unfortunately my buddy got stranded near the start for a bit, although she did make it through in the end!

[@izabelanaprawska6137]

What is a buddy reader?

[@TenFan54]

@izabelanaprawska6137 A buddy reader is like a book club for 2 - you read the same book at the same time with a friend and discuss, compare notes, etc...

[@Mattsdmf]

I finished it for the first time last week after starting and stopping for at least 13 years or so. It took me a couple months but I got through. The academic chapters almost made me put it down. I actually found the Johnny Truant story the most interesting to me. I did enjoy the Navidson story of course but it was so wrapped up in academic discourse and all of the media reaction to it, I couldn’t get as absorbed into it. I could see myself reading it again but not for a few years. That needs to ferment but I’m glad I finished it.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Yeah I definitely think parts of it were more enjoyable and engrossing than others, but taken together I thought it was really interesting

[@NovelFindsByKassi]

I have a strong appreciation for the way you express things on your channel. Thanks so much for this video. While I'm not reading it in a linear way, I'm about halfway through the book right now and was really interested to hear some commentary on it. : )

[@Torontolink0281]

Out of all the people trying to describe this book you are the easiest to follow and understand. Thanks. I really want to find this book.

[@tubbs6443]

I have read this book many times. It’s one of the only books I can revisit and still enjoy. This is a solid review. I’ve given away at least 11 copies of this book. It’s one of a kind

[@CriminOllyBlog]

It's definitely a unique read!

[@CestKevvie]

House of Leaves has been my favorite reading experience ever. So cool! I've not read the Raw Shark Texts but its been on my tbr for a while now. I also really wanna read JJ Abrams's book S.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Oooh, I'd forgotten JJ Abrams had done a book. I might have to check that out!

[@timlarsson]

@@CriminOllyBlog S by JJ Abrams (idea) and Doug Dorst (writer) is one of those books that I can't place. The production value is 100/100 amazing. The pages look old, the library sticker looks real, and the handwritten texts look... handwritten! There's a text in Swedish in there, and since I am Swedish I noticed it wasn't written by a Swedish person, but that's the only little "complaint" I have about it all. The story on the other hand was... a little disappointing. It had potential to be so much more. I would still recommend it because of the production value, and who knows, maybe you'll see something I didn't :)

[@CriminOllyBlog]

@@timlarsson I've been intrigued by S - I like quite a lot of what Abrams does movie and TV wise (even if none of it is perfect)

[@hakuthemagicdragon6031]

My dad got me it as a gift I’m very excited to start I prepared by getting post its to take notes and stick in pages to help keep track. One other thing I’m going to do is pick a light “side” book to read when maybe I want to read but I’m not in the right mindset for house of leaves or to avoid getting bored and dancing it but yeah! I’ll update when I finish and tell you how it went!

[@A_Wild_Dyzzy]

I just purchased this book, I was hooked after the introduction that Truant gave. Especially after he revealed a particular thing about Zampanó. I can already tell I’m gonna need to keep a notebook with me. I’m only on chapter 2 but im excited to read this.

[@michellesmelancholia]

I've been wanting to read House of Leaves for years but I keep waiting for the perfect time to be able to give it my full attention. I might try it this summer when I get some time off work as I know I will want to look at all the little details!

[@CriminOllyBlog]

It’s definitely worth making sure you’re ready before you start, as it is a bit of an undertaking!

[@LordMarlle]

Or just start and watch how it will take over your attention

[@lurtz8656]

Watched this because I'm currently maybe a quarter the way through this book after years of putting it off. I'm completely enamored with it, have been re-reading old passages as they become more relevant, trying to find new small details. Amazing how much a book can both train you and entice you to look for details then quite plainly make fun of you for having looked at all in the first place.

[@soundsfromthewestcoast9939]

This has to be one of my favourite books! You are absolutely right in describing it as unsettling and compulsive. There were sections of that totally creeped me out. I've tried his follow up work The Familiar but couldn't get into it despite 2 or 3 attempts. Thanks for reminding me of The Raw Shark Texts, a book I also really enjoyed - need to get another copy of that to reread. Have a great weekend...Peter

[@CriminOllyBlog]

I think I need to reread The Raw Shark Texts as well, now that I've read this. I don't think I said it in the review, but I thought the weird format made more sense in that book that it did in HoL

[@sissyalesch2768]

I’m glad you said “you don’t know what’s going on”. I’m currently trying to read it, and I feel so lost. I don’t know what’s happening, and I’m not very far in. That’s what brought me here.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

My recommendation is just to keep going, it all kind of makes sense in the end (the main story at least!)

[@saraawda4770]

Same. Not a clue what I've just read but all I know is that I need post it notes and a lot of them and sticky tabs

[@negligent_omnicide]

The Raw Shark Texts had so much promise; it started strong. Granted it has been a handful of years since I’ve read it but i remember being somewhat let down by the end.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Yeah it's been a while for me too

[@hollyloomer7667]

This video is 2 years old so I'm late to the game, however, I've read House of Leaves twice recently and I concur with what you say when I first read it, I was really unsure how I felt about it. But I took about 4 months to read through it the first time and then had to process the entire thing over the course of a few more months then went and reread it. I've since come to really enjoy this book apart from a few scenes of animal cruelty... well just one scene specifically. But this book is a slow burn, and one you must chew on and read several times through out your life. That would be my critique. It sits on my top 5 horror novel lists and probably will forever.

[@isirlasplace91]

I ended up rereading the beginning multiple times because I started researching all the articles included in the footnotes and fell down that rabbit hole for a while. I found it too exhausting so I just read the rest as a normal book but I marked what I found and where I'm at in my research in case I decide to research it further😂

[@Obsiqax]

I've never been able to focus on reading a book but hearing about House of Leaves fascinates and intimidates me, I really want to buy a copy to read and I hope it unlocks something for me

[@CriminOllyBlog]

It really is a reading experience like no other

[@eggsbacon1538]

Thanks man. Just started reading it and I’m going to continue it because of your advice. Beginning is a bit tricky.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Excellent! Really glad you found it helpful!

[@_NobodySpecial_]

4:02 and it's also implied it's 2nd hand with the post it note. Plus everyone I've known to have read it had a backstory for how they got it. Mine was off of my brother in law who's ex got it from some drug dealer before she offed herself. While I was reading it I could buy the idea that it was a cursed book that I may end up annotating for the rest of my life now that I've gotten a hold of it.

[@zpks.]

It's such a unique book and you described what makes it interesting perfectly.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Thank you! I really did find it fascinating

[@heidifogelberg3544]

Dahlgren, by Samuel Delaney, has stylistic similarities with the differing text styles, jump cuts, differing narratives sources, and broken bits.

[@emilydwyer2407]

Interesting how us reviewing and commenting on this book is almost like adding another layer to this universe

[@elijahevans1191]

Just started reading the book. Really enjoyed your video.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Thank you! Hope you enjoy the book!

[@cas6566]

I just got this in the post tonight, and I'm so excited! Thank you for the review!

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Fantastic, hope you enjoy it!

[@robertocatrone715]

I love the way you review and describe each book. Lovely really. thank you

[@CriminOllyBlog]

My pleasure 😊

[@AlexDRohmat]

I first came across this book in 2010 when in my A Levels and ordered myself the full colour version and it's the one book that holds pride of place on my shelf for having finished it. Got a lot out of it but my god is it a commitment! Really enjoyable though!

[@CriminOllyBlog]

It really is an experience, isn't it!

[@MichaelRomeoTalksBooks]

That book sounds like it would hurt my brain.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

It almost certainly would!

[@ReadbyFred]

I am definitely intrigued. I might pick it up if I see it at my used bookstore - not keen on buying a new copy if I might end up DNF'ing it. Thanks for the review :)

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Yeah I definitely recommend getting hold of it in as low cost a way as possible as lots of people hate it!

[@Gersberms]

When you showed me those text and printing gimmicks I figured that it couldn't be a very good book. But now that you're explaining it, that makes a big difference. I'm also used to skipping parts of a book if I just disagree with what the writer is doing, or I feel like I'm not going to get anything from the text. After all, I paid for the book and I'm going to use it how I see fit. I've read plenty of books where I felt like I had just really wasted my time with it hoping to find something good that eventually never came.

[@noodlepoodlegirl]

The book arrived today, I had groceries all over my kitchen floor but I thought I’d take a few minutes and read the first page or two. It’s now 930 at night, I’m several chapters in and scurrying to put away melted ice cream and warm milk! This book took me right from the beginning. now I got to get this food put away so I can go read more.🤷🏻‍♀️

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Wonderful! Glad you're enjoying it! Hope the milk didn't spoil

[@nathaliewheeler09]

Currently reading! Would love to see a video on “what you think the authors getting at”!! Love your videos Olly!!

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Hope you're enjoying it! Cheers Nathaie!

[@angelvega748]

Just found this book at a corner post little library while at work. Deciding if I'm going to read it or not only have 20 minutes on my brake to read a few pages

[@CriminOllyBlog]

20 minutes might just be enough to completely put you off it!

[@AgentZarkov_2133]

I just got this book, and looking forward to reading it. I was turned onto it by the Alan Wake games. The creator of them showed this in a stack of books which influenced his story telling.

[@agnesrose9360]

I'm starting this book as a buddy read with a friend. This was a very good video I was a little nervous about all the footnotes and how it is set up, but this video made me very excited to read it.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

That's fantastic! Thanks for commenting Agnes, I hope you enjoy!

[@clevelandrocks1120]

Thanks for doing this video ! I just started this book yesterday and was so confused...

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Really glad you found it helpful!

[@mattyrossfilms]

Me too! Thanks chief!

[@flutebasket4294]

Well, start by reading the Library of Congress page (the most interesting section), and then use the rest for toilet paper

[@leafninn]

Im not a reader and english is not my first language, but I am going to read it 😃

[@emiliacwaskdl1934]

Thank you for your video. I just purchased the book and I’m scared but ready to read!

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Excellent! Glad the video was useful!

[@palebluewave]

Very interesting book - I have too much on my noobie TBR to be adding anything.. but always enjoy your reviews

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Thank you! It’s definitely one for you to try one day, I’d say

[@amsedzaferovic1679]

I am currently reading it. I am still at the beginning, because i bought it yesterday. And since i am German i also want to read the German translation of the book (which will supposedly arrive next week together with "S" from J.J Abrams and Doug Dorst). Some might say that translations are not very accurate but i don't care. I am very neutral about these things, that is why i enjoy literature as it is. Of course, there are things i cant read (because the themes tend to haunt me), but i don't want to be a super critical reader. I will take my time with House of Leaves. And i want to annotate the German Version, even though i don't know how to start it (since i never annotated before). But it will come in time.

[@willhatfield362]

I tried reading this a few months ago, but I couldn’t get into it. But every time I see a review of it I wanna throw away everything and read it. I’m gonna try reading it again soon.

[@HongKongEclectic]

I read the paperback, but downloaded a pdf copy into my iPad simultaneously so I could flick and refer to it! Definitely need 2 copies to get a clearer picture!

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Ha ha that’s a very good idea!

[@ShannonsChannel]

Interesting watching your and MJ's reviews of this back to back. The formatting kind of reminds me of Stephen King's Carrie, only much, much longer.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Yeah, it was really fun buddy reading it with her :)

[@massonman9099]

Just bought the book and am looking forward to reading it.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@kayceeisbookish]

Gives me "S. by J.J. Abrams" vibes. Also an amazing book with footnotes in the footnotes.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

I need to read that one!

[@kayceeisbookish]

@@CriminOllyBlog highly recommend 👌

[@Ms.Behaving]

I've had this book in my possession for about 2 years now started reading it and got really confused so I put it down. It had gone missing for some time and my husband just found it so I think I'm going to give it another shot.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Good luck! Hope you enjoy it! It is worth the effort

[@Ms.Behaving]

@@CriminOllyBlog I really hope so. I've done a ton of reading up on how to read it and reviews and after watching your video as piqued my interest again so I'm really looking forward to diving in this weekend

[@combardus9309]

the johnny truant storyline is beautifully heartbreaking, his mother's letters to him wrecked me

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Yeah, it was very moving

[@MzIsrael77]

This is very interesting. Can't wait to get my hands on a copy.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

It's a fascinating and unique read

[@meganthememe130]

Just picked up my library copy! So excited I’ve never seen a book like this before

[@yogurtandmusic5710]

Thank you! I’m currently reading this book right now and was kind of confused about the structure 😭

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Hope the video helped at least a bit!

[@JakeMcCollum]

Thank you for this, excited to get into this 📚

[@Heathennation1976]

I received this book today in the mail it's October it's been on my TBR since it came out so I'm going to read it and The Boatman's Daughter by Andy Davidson

[@Anaentrelinhas]

I know this is a bit overdue hahaha but concerning the dificulty getting the hang of the rhythm in House of leaves, I am reading it atm,, I see the descriptions in my head in a way similar to the filming of Paranormal Activity. I watch it in my head. It helps a lot

[@CriminOllyBlog]

That does make a lot of sense!

[@ReadingRetail]

i love horror! the cover of the book in the intro is GREAT 💙💙

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Thank you! Unfortunately the book itself was pretty bad!

[@ronrimsite6948]

I used to have The Gutenberg Galaxy by media theorist Marshall McLuhan decades ago that must have inspired the experimental text format of this book. Worth seeking out.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Interesting! I’d heard of McLuhan, but not that work

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Great review - this book sure has been making the booktube rounds lately.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Yeah, a few people seem to have been reading it! It's so unusual I suspect it's a bit of a perennial!

[@thebuilder5271]

Aah I’m excited I need to read this

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@shanesullivan460]

My first reaction--and I would be extremely surprised if this was Danielewski's intention--was to compare it to _Dark Night of the Soul_ by St. John of the Cross. The themes of love, existential crisis, and darkness had a strong flavor of apophatic mysticism to me, even though I think this is accidental on the author's part. But most importantly, I appreciate any horror author who references Jacques Derrida.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

I’ve not read Dark Night of the Soul, but agree there was definitely agree with your assessment of the themes

[@davidmajor5393]

Currently reading it, up to the SOS part

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Hope you're enjoying it!

[@ABFrank.]

This one has been on my radar for ages but someone always puts me off it 😄 this video has renewed my interest in it though

[@CriminOllyBlog]

It’s definitely worth trying, but be prepared to get very confused!

[@breezytree8246]

I have a sleep disorder and reading is like melatonin to me. I’m gonna try reading this since it should be more stimulating.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

It will definitely get you thinking! Hope you enjoy it

[@jackiemeyers6733]

I read this in high school. It took me over a year to read. Still think about it. I am interested to see how my adult brain works it out. 🤔

[@CriminOllyBlog]

It might be fun for you to revisit it!

[@binterwinterboyii1095]

no joke since high school I put House on the backburner because I was more interested in reading A Song of Ice and Fire while at the same time reading The Road for ap english also for undisclosed reasons I was living out of a hotel room with my family even back then I frequently asked myself why my must-read selections were so consistently dark

[@BooksInTheVoid]

Currently rrading it. Taking my time reason i am 300 0ages in. Cant stop reading.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

It really does suck you in doesn’t it

[@chocobeard]

Love your book reviews! Have you tried S. By JJ Abrams and Doug Dorst? I

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Thank you! So pleased you're enjoying the channel! I haven't read that but I am intrigued by it!

[@NE0WN]

I picked this up second-hand for $10 CAD. I'm enjoying it so far!

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Bargain!

[@NovelOpinions]

I haven’t read this and I’m not sure that I’d enjoy the experience given the structure. That said - I’ve really appreciated your review and I’m intrigued.

[@M-J]

After seeing both videos - I look forward to your review! ☺️ - 📚MJ

[@CriminOllyBlog]

If you can get it from the library I think it’s definitely worth a try. It’s a unique book

[@r.s.5522]

I am currently reading it. It is sometimes annoying but the navidson record is having me totally hooked. It is like Edgar Allan Poe in steroids with the style of Victor Hugo.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

It's definitely a compelling read

[@joearnold6881]

I haven’t started it yet, but I’m wondering about the numbers on the insides of the cover

[@CriminOllyBlog]

There are all kinds of weird hidden thing to enjoy!

[@FriendlyNeighborhoodUnclePete]

I just purchased this book, after searching for "Books to keep you up at night" I'm looking forward to diving into this book. Just found you channel tonight. New Subscriber, Thanks.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Hope you enjoy it, it’s definitely an experience! Thanks for subscribing, hope you enjoy the channel 😊

[@trixieleigh7912]

I've yet to read this, but I love Poe's album that is based on it ❤

[@LiteraryStoner]

I first tried this book in 2019. I'm currently on my 2nd attempt, 5 years later lol. I've managed to make it further this time. First time I DNF'd on page 74. I'm on page 138 and was like "I'm not reading all those names. Not doing it. Nope" lol and feeling like i'm losing my mind, wondering if I should dnf it a second, and final, time. Seeing this review, maybe I can still get something out of it after all. I shall try to finish it :)

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Good luck!

[@NeesyPlaysGuitar]

I'm so buzzed that someone else read the Raw Shark Texts! It wasn't a masterpiece but it was the first Novel I read which had that unique approach of using the physical novel as part of the story telling medium! I feel vindicated now haha

[@CriminOllyBlog]

It's definitely a weird book!

[@Calenrandir]

7:30 I also had to retrain my brain to not try and read the first letter of each word after that section lol this book is a wild ride!

[@mozzstickdestroyer]

Thank you for this!

[@CriminOllyBlog]

My pleasure! Glad you found it useful!

[@MattSmithJohnson]

Could you expand on what you think this book is actually about? I just finished HOL and it took me a few days of rumination to come to some sort of meaning. Would be curious as to your view!

[@HongKongEclectic]

Have you read You Should Have Left?

[@CriminOllyBlog]

No, not heard of that one

[@twokcash]

Came for house of leaves, stayed for the watch winder

[@Safi-Dee]

God I really want this book! But do I buy it or wait until Christmas to ask someone to gift it to me? It's not in any of my libraries and I don't think I can wait...

[@CriminOllyBlog]

It’s really an experience! But Christmas isn’t that far away!

[@maribelalgarin9750]

I just an article where the author said it’s a love story. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Ummmm. Wow. I really wouldn’t call it that 😂

[@SP_A_C_E_D]

You forgot to mention Zappano is blind and has his caretaker recount the Navidson Record to him.

[@wburris2007]

Did you read any other books at the same time? I find that with long difficult books I need to take breaks and read something else before coming back to it.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

No, I just read it straight through. I find if I put a book down to read something else I tend not to pick it up again.

[@mossyeverest5893]

I did try to read the book but ended up not finishing it. I found the academic stuff pretty boring and hard to read. And I didn’t really care much about Johnny Truant’s long rambles about his life. I was, understandably, more interested in Navidson’s story. I definitely found it interesting that the book was basically about a recounting of the Navidson Revord and other events. I haven’t seen a lot of books do that. Though I think I would have enjoyed it more if it was just a story about Navidson, his family, and the house. But I also feel like it wouldn’t have the same effect if done that way. Maybe I’ll pick it up again sometime in the future

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Yeah you can definitely see how he could have told basically the same story in a way more accessible way. But if he had I doubt the book would have had the same impact

[@waywardhero1177]

I kinda hurried through the story so that my co-worker can read it on parental leave and I didn’t know about the hidden messages

[@dwbryant13]

I’ve seen this book being compared to infinite jest

[@edwuano7]

really opens up after you get past that slow beginning. this book is fucked, but i'm hooked.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Yeah, that first quarter is hard going - glad you're enjoying it!

[@Satans_Little_Helper]

Just found your KZbin and subscribed. I had read the book or at least most of it a few years back in a worse place in my life, but I recently decided to pick it up again and read it with my wife. So far, it's been so much more fun reading it together and not alone. Can't wait to finish so I can come back and discuss it with people.

[@tacboy78ify]

I haven't read this book but friends showed it to me today and the very idea of this book irritates me and frustrates me. Idk if im going to try and read it or not. I want to but i also don't

[@robynwroot2460]

I loved this book. Definitely have to read again. I've tried to read Only revolutions by this same author. I'm not able to. Have you read it?

[@CriminOllyBlog]

No, I've only read House of Leaves by him

[@Filbertfriend]

Wish you went into less detail about how the book read. Such as the first letter of every word for some pages. Feel like I got spoiled.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Trust me, I barely scratched the surface!