Natalya Gornopolskaya

“House of Leaves” by Mark Z. Danielewski Chapters I-IV

It starts out as a narrative by Johnny Truant, a man who works as an apprentice in a tattoo shop in Los Angeles, leading a seemingly carefree lifestyle centered on drugs and nightly outings. His world is abruptly shaken, upon receiving a phone call from his friend Lude. Lude tells him of his elderly neighbor, a man named Zampanò who just recently passed, leaving behind an apartment full of undiscovered secrets. Johnny is immediately taken by a manuscript he uncovers in this man’s apartment, and chooses to undertake the very difficult task of chronicling this work. The narrator is then switched to Zampanò reciting “The Navidson Record” which deals with a documentary by Will Navidson recording his family’s journey as they move into their new house in Virginia. This house defies all dimensions of reality by appearing larger on the inside than it is the outside. As the story progresses there are continuous shifts between narrators as we gain true insight on the Navidson family, the life led by Zampanò and the troubled past of Johnny Truant. The most fascinating character thus far is none other than Johnny Truant, as he shows various layers of his personality through his literary commitments, uncanny story-telling abilities and lust for women of questionable morals. The character of Zampanò is quite outrageous himself, having seemingly come up with an entire novels-worth of commentary, based on a nonexistent film called “The Navidson Record” ,despite him being blind and uneducated. The Navidson family is gripping as well, as they struggle to explain the phenomenon that is their new home while trying to resolve the issues of their broken family. I look forward to reading more as the story unfolds and we come to know the true nature of these edgy characters along with the horror that befalls within the House.

Questions:

1. What is the significance of the extensive use of footnotes?

2. Does the unconventional way this book is written apply to each character’s unique story?

3. What motivated Will Navidson to document his family’s move?

4. Does Zampanò have a sort of sixth sense?

5. Why is Johnny Truant so committed to his research?