House of Leaves

Style and Technique

«House of Leaves» by Mark Z. Danielewski stands out for its unique style and complex structure. The book is a multilayered text that includes several levels of narration. The main story about the house that is larger on the inside than the outside is presented through the documentary «The Navidson Record», which is commented on and analyzed by various characters. The language of the book ranges from academic and technical to conversational and emotional, depending on the narrator. Danielewski employs numerous literary techniques, such as embedded stories, footnotes, typographic experiments, including text that needs to be read at different angles or even by turning the book. These techniques create a sense of disorientation and enhance the atmosphere of horror and mystery. The structure of the book is chaotic and nonlinear, reflecting the theme of the labyrinth and lostness central to the plot. Visual elements of the text, such as changing fonts and the arrangement of words on the page, play a crucial role in conveying the characters' emotional states and heightening tension.