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House of Leaves

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gesler0811
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House of Leaves

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So....

I recently began reading this book because it's reported to be one of the scariest books ever. I'm just about 50 pages into it, and I want to pose a question to the readers here...

Does it ever get good?

I feel like I will need some motivation to keep going. It's a pretty tedious read, and a disjointed one at that. I do not question the author's ability to write, as much of the prose is almost lyrical in its composition and appeal. Even so, I read for story, not composition, and the story is hard to sift through. So its a story in a story in a story. There was this event, which was documented, which this old guy found out about and wrote a report about, which another guy read and wrote about his experiences while reading this report about a documentary about something that happened to a family that moved into a new house. Got all of that? I just feel that I, the reader, am so far removed from the original events that they pack no punch or significance.

Granted, the presentation of the material is very innovative and unique. There are entire pages with only one word on them, vertical text, backwards text, colored text, footnotes within footnotes within footnotes, empty textboxes, different fonts, all sorts of stylistic innovations.... but at the end, it's still a difficult story to get through.

Anyone read it? Will I get into it if I give it a little longer? What did you think?
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Chris OConnor

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Re: House of Leaves

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House of Leaves was one of our group discussion books years ago.
#69: Aug. & Sept. 2009
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gesler0811
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Re: House of Leaves

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Thanks for pointing that out. I will have to check the archives first next time. It seems a lot of other reviewers had some similar feelings. It also looks like there was a lot less participation on the discussions back then.
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Voodoo, zombies, artifacts, and magic: Urban fantasy with a New Orleans Flair
I am currently offering my urban fantasy novel 'Line of Sight' for only 99 cents - Buy from Smashwords and use Coupon Code CT92F
Come see why the book is getting such rave reviews! (Also available for kindle, nook, and iTunes, and as a paperback from Amazon)
Official Line of Sight Page
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Chris OConnor

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Re: House of Leaves

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That particular discussion was rather limited but we had some of our best book discussions years ago. Our discussions vary month to month and year to year. I've yet to find a distinct pattern. :hmm:
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