House of Leaves

[PigInADuvet]

This is on my mission list for 2025 (so no spoilers please!)

I'm wondering if anyone who has read it has any tips, pointers or inside knowledge as to how to get the most out of it?

I refuse to be intimidated although think I may need to take a sabbatical from work to read it 😵‍💫

Oh! My Dh and I shared reading this when it came out! I remember ordering it at a local bookshop. We were in the midst of relocating.for work as he finished his phd. We would read in relays and then try and work out what the heck was happening!

sorry, I’ve not actually answered your question!

I got this for Christmas! Just finishing up Welcome to Night Vale then I’ll get to it. Would you like a reading buddy?

I don't think I'm mentally prepared to start it yet 😆

I have it on the shelf and also haven't braved it yet!

It is hard work, but absolutely fantastic - a couple of 'moments' left me reeling (not gore or graphic but psychologically). I love the format and time/space bending aspects of it.

I've actually put it on my read again list for this year.

Such a whacked-out book! I read it while unemployed and on various substances. So my advice is, stay sober ... and just go along with the vibe ...

Any tips or guidance?

I'm an alcohol and drug free decaffeinated vegan - there's not much chance of any excitement here 😆

@PigInADuvet

Make time for proper reading, not a snatched 15 minutes, or TV on in the background. And be prepared for reading some chapters again midway. There are several 'strands' in the book all of which need equal focus - I think I made notes!

I was pretty obsessed and didn't want to put it down but found I needed to take breaks to reflect on what the fuck was going on.

And yeah just go with the vibe, it all comes together in the end. Enjoy!

Absolutely loved this book. It made me feel really weird, like the ground or reality had shifted. Just go for it - once you start, you won't be able to put it down. Definitely agree that there are different strand/paths/narratives in the book that you might find yourself following...then you'll have to sort of rewind to tackle another bit.
I'd love to see it done as immersive theatre, though by christ it would be an undertaking.

Just as well really - that book will mess with your head all on its own! enjoy!

I've heard that having two bookmarks is a good idea, one for the text and one for the footnotes?

Do I just start at page 1 and go with the flow?

Definitely sounds like I'm going to need that sabbatical!

I've thought about reading this book so many times, but it's so expensive and what if I hate it? 😆
Also I've read that there's a coloured version, with some words in colour, but can only seem to find the black and white version. Which one do you all have and do you think it makes a difference to the experience?