I feel different, I feel changed. I don’t think I’ll look at everything the same way again. All because, for the last month or so, I’ve been lost in Mark Z. Danielewski’s House of Leaves.
I could give you the rundown of the synopsis, but I really don’t think that alone would do it justice. I found this novel to be about the impossibility of things. How does a house measure larger on the inside than it does on the outside? Impossible. How does a closet that adjoins two bedrooms just ‘appear’? Impossible.
How do you explain a door that leads to an unending hallway materializing on an outside wall?
Again, impossible.
The book grabbed me from the beginning, and held me, shook me, startled me, and downright frightened me until the very last page. Never have I experienced any form of media or literature that has made me feel like screaming and crying at the same time. This one… this one did both a few times. This is easily the most curiously terrifying novel I have ever read. And why? All because it feels so real, as if it could happen, while at the same time, shouting and spitting in the face of physics, science, and humanity. So real, yet so impossible.
In short, Johnny finds a very large manuscript in the apartment of a deceased neighbour. He tells us his story, while also showing us what was printed on the hundreds of pages he found. Within those pages lies a documentary-like description of a film entitled ‘The Navidson Record‘. It is within this film (which is within the manuscript, which is within this book… what?!) where the impossible questions lie. And at every turn of the page, I both did and did not want those questions answered.
‘The Navidson Record‘ is a short film that started off as an innocent project made by a famous photographer that wanted to document his moving to ‘the quiet life’ in rural Virginia. After setting up motion-activated video cameras all throughout the house, Will Navidson begins his project. It is with these cameras that we get to see exactly what the house itself has in store for everyone.
Again, I can’t stress it enough; I have never read or experienced anything like this book. I borrowed it from a friend, and the next time I’m near a bookstore better than the ones in this town, I’ll be buying my own copy. I also plan on buying a few more copies for some people who I truly believe should also experience this.
Will I ever be as moved and shaken by anything else again?
Impossible to say.
