House of Leaves - Mark Z. Danielewski

Words are simply wonderful. As an English major, it's no surprise that I love words. The things writers can do with combinations of words in the English language never ceases to amaze me. This appreciation has spurred my love of reading since I was in elementary school, and it helped encourage me to share this love in my future career as a high school teacher.

My favorite book, House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski, is the epitome of what I look for in a novel. I'll try to explain the main characteristics without offering any spoilers.

The plot is rather unique. In considering the plot and subplots, it's hard to pin House of Leaves into one genre. It's not romance, though there is love; it's not mystery or horror, though there are aspects of both; it's not science-fiction, though some of it is definitely not possible in this world.

Even despite the "out of this world" happenings in the novel, Danielewski's voice couldn't be more convincing. Reading this novel is as comfortable and natural as having a conversation. This draws the reader into the novel and engages that escapist mentality so many readers experience. The novel becomes reality.

Finally, the most unique aspect of this novel is the typography. Yes, Danielewski's writing displays a mastery of word choice, syntax, and story development, but he also positions words on the page in ways traditional authors would never imagine. Words are written upside-down, mirrored, and spiraling from the center of the page. Whole paragraphs are contained in footnotes. Sections are struck out, and some pages have notation informing the reader that words or paragraphs are missing altogether. You never know what to expect when you turn the page.

When Danielewski wrote House of Leaves, he surpassed the novel and wrote an entirely new experience.