Alyson Bernero

I was very disappointed when I first realized that the entire book was actually made up. After thinking about it however, I couldn't help but think that the story was actually amazing and extremely creative. I didn't really like the way the stories ended. The story with Navidson ended so terribly even after everything the family had gone through. I was very confused with what was going on with Johnny, but I don't think that he was ever really writing the story. From what I understand I don't think Johnny ever really lived at all. I think the story was written by his mother who had basically gone insane after the death of her son. If thats the case than I wish we would have gotten more information on what was going on with that so I could understand more. Overall, the book was captivating and very different from anything I had ever read before. The entire story kept me engaged and constantly thinking about what was happening.

HOL SUM UP Tung

After finishing the book my impression on the ending was a little disappointing. The naval and how it was written compressed all the mystery and suspense so well that I thought that the end it was just kind of just played out like it was nothing. Maybe that what he wanted along in the beginning, since he kind of started the book with “this isn’t for you”. Maybe like the Beatles song that the book was so sort of sick inside joke that he and a handful of people know leaving the rest of us high and dry. So many questions left unanswered. Part of me hates these kinds of books/movies that leave us with more questions in the end; so much so that if I know that it would end like this that I wouldn’t have read it in the first places kind of. But the book was very well written in that it made me feel involved in the story line. So in the end I’m guessing that his mother had to do something with the development of the book? I don’t know too deep for me to go farther in too after eating lunch. But the book is a definite good read but really hard I think to analyze because it could good so many ways.

Nian Liu

"House of Leaves" Chapters XXI - XXIII

The last three chapters left me with so many questions and I feel unsatisfied with the ending of the story as well as for Johnny Traunt. In the end we never know what happens to Johnny Traunt, or if he's telling the truth about killing that Gdansk Man since a lot of the things he says turn into lies. I still want to know how Karen magically closed her eyes and teleported Navidson and her out of the house that countless souls have tried to escape but couldn't. Then I question about Navidson's chance of survival, he was trapped in that house for over 6 months without food or water there was no way he survived. And if he did survive, then where the hell is Tom? Who was the mother and the baby Johnny Traunt was talking about? If Johnny Traunt is the baby who died, does that mean the whole story of Johnny Traunt's life was made up by the mother who in guilt for not being able to save her son created a life for Johnny? Too many questions and so little answers if what I was left with by the time I finished this book. Overall, this book was something new and it gave me a unique experience that I wouldn't have gotten from any other book but this one.

Emily Skahill

What? I am so lost, and so confused! the Navidson Record was stupid. It was intriguing at parts but completely stupid at the end. I liked what Navidson ended the movie with, but what was the significance of the pink ribbon in her hair? Victory? The story about Truant as a baby, I'm assuming, was sad but confusing. Who wrote the story...his mother? How was the band obsessed with the book and Truant yet standing in front of Truant? Aside from all my confusion, i really did like the book, although i didn't agree with the ending and i guess a few of the chapters, i still believe this book is one of a kind and if i wasn't so frustrated with it right now, i would probably read it again to try and understand it better. This book should be taught in school absolutely.

Kristin Todd

I thought that these chapters were fascinating to read.  What ended up happening to Will and Karen is definitely not what I expected.  I thought that Will would never come out of the house and I did not expect them to get married.  I thought it was weird how when Karen found Will, when she held him, they ended up outside.  I guess it was because the labyrinth affects everyone differently.  Honestly, I liked this book.  At first, I did not understand it, so it was difficult for me to follow and enjoy.  But, in the middle, everything became clearer and I started to follow the plot.  It turned out that I liked it.  I’m not sure that this would be such a good book to teach in class because it is so complex and hard to follow.  Also, it was frustrating having to read a book that I didn’t like in the beginning.  It’s the kind of book that you have to like immediately if you’re reading it for fun.

Michael Lampasona

I liked how the book ended on a good note, but still with some misery. Johnny Truant's story comes to an abrupt end, and the reader is left wondering whether it is a happy ending. Navidson and Karen finally get married, and even though they both have health issues, it seems like they are better off than in any other part of the story. I did not actually realize that Johnny's mother could be the author, however after reading the blog posts this does make sense, since Johnny's last passage in the novel involves the death of a newborn.

Overall, I liked the book. I did not like it at the beginning because I found some parts confusing. It was bothering me that I didn't know exactly how to interpret some of the footnotes and the ridiculously long lists that would be part of some chapters. Now I realize that these items were for effect, and do support the idea that Johnny's insane mother wrote the story. Anyway, I liked the book as it came to a close and I went from "having" to read the earlier chapters to "wanting" to read the later chapters. I would recommend this book to be taught in class because it was an interesting read and many parts of it can be analyzed and discussed during class in many different ways.

Discussion Questions:

1. Did Johnny's mother write the book?
2. Did going back to the house cause Karen's current condition?
3. What exactly is the house?

Robert Stevens

Well, I can say one thing, this book is definately different. I think after weighing all the pros and cons this book would make a good class book. The plot can be interpreted many different ways depending on the individual reader, allowing them to draw their own conclusions...it's not just laid out for you in any concise format.
At this point I can honestly say that Truant has hit rock botton. He's reduced himself to a drifter that had definately drifting between the real world and a perceived reality. I know some people have assumed that his mother is the actual author, but I just didn't see it. Getting back to the Navidson story, Karen finally realized that she loved Will desperately and decides to face her fears about the Labrynth. Upon entering, she finds Will and brings him out (by virtue of the labrynth just "dissolving" anyway). Afterward they finally get married and try to move on, despite the fact that Will has been physcially handicapped by the labrynth.

1. How did Karen manage to find Will so fast?

2. I know he beat Gdansk man to death, but did Johnny ever kill Kyrie?

3. What was the deal with Will's feet?

4. Where did the story about the baby fit in?

Kristy Medina

House was probably one of the weirdest love stories I've ever read. It was cute in an odd way; so I won't lie, when Karen saved Navidson, it was very good way to end the book. And the house disappearing, I guess I would say it's symbolic but in a way I can't completely explain. The fact that the house disappeared and they ended up in the middle of the woods wasn't surprising however it tied the title and the book together (although the novel started to do that, this finale really tied up loose ends well.) However I'm still confused in calling the labyrinth a part of hell because hell is supposed to teach and repremend people of their wrong doings but still they didn't die...at least not literally, maybe symbolically. It's ironic and comical how Chad wants to become an artitect.

Anyways, it's such a strange "happy" ending as the novel calls it. Good book!

Katherine Tesi

Danielewski proved to be quite an interesting author throughout House of Leaves. His style of writing along with the story line itself was very different that the majority of books I have personally ever read. I didn’t particularly care for the book, although I appreciated how unique it was in so many aspects. I wasn’t a fan of the sci-fi touches to the book or its representation as a horror book because I didn’t really think it was. I did find the novel funny it its satire of academics. Overall, I do think that the book should be taught simply for the fact that it is so different. Not only are the story line, including all three of the stories, but also the layout of the text, very distinctive compared to the average novels taught within schools and universities. It’s beneficial for students to see a large range of examples in every aspect of learning, especially reading. Being able to analyze and comprehend a novel such as this one allows a reader to expand their repertoire in terms of literary understanding.

1. Does Will Navidson’s skin condition have a deeper meaning?
2. What is the reason that the house finally releases the Navidson’s from its grip?

Elisabeth Jeremko End of House of Leaves

I highly enjoyed House of Leaves. It had a plot that moved like a classical novel, but then the use of citation, typography, and codes created more challenges for the reader. I liked being called to participate by the author through deciphering, following footnotes, and following different patterns of words. Though I found the process of getting through the novel exciting, I was a bit deflated by the ending of the novel. It seemed to end quite suddenly. Regarding the Navidson aspect of the novel, I like how Will Navidson comes out of the experience physically deformed. I feel that the experience was so life-changing that the physical remnants solidify just how impacting the experience was for both individuals.
I was reading one of the prior blogs and found some of the insights about Pelafina writing the book from the mental institution really interesting. I hadn't put the pieces together in such a way...I suppose I was more focused on the actual plot information, moreso than the source of narration. I like how the book ends ambiguously...it would be insightful to discuss this ambiguity in a class setting. I would highly recommend the book for a class. The novel is rich with references to literature, mythology, and criticism. The story is moving and suspenseful, which makes it more enjoyable for the student. Also, there are so many possibilities of meanings within the relationships of characters, occurances, and narration that would make for lively discourse.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1) Does Johnny Truant actually come in contact with Gdansk Man and his girlfriend again? (Does he kill them?...this part was really confusing for me)

2)What does the skin condition on Will Navidson represent? It goes away after the experience...

3)Does Johnny ever make it to the house?

Janie Cherestal

I generally liked House of Leaves, but I felt unsatisified with its ending. Navidson’s storyline was so action-packed and suspenseful that I expected an ending that was just as exciting; however, Karen’s rescue was rather abrupt. I felt that Johnny concluding narrative was confusing, for he rambled a few times and often took back the events that he said took place. It also left open many questions.
- Who was the dying baby described towards the end of the novel?
- What ever happened to Johnny?
- How does Johnny find House of Leaves published with his footnotes while he is still writing his footnotes? Was that story made up, as well?
- Why does the house choose to release Karen and Navidson at the end of the novel?

Julie Morvitz

I found Johnny’s entries at the end of the book very confusing.  I couldn’t tell which stories were real and which ones were made up, and he seemed all over the place.  I thought the story about the mother and the child was very strange.  I wonder what the significance of the story was and if a doctor ha actually told him that story, although I doubt it.  I really liked the end of the book, even though it was very sudden.  It went from readers wondering if Navidson would live, to him being outside with Karen.  I liked that there was a happy ending though, even though we don’t know why they ended up outside the house. 

I enjoyed the book overall.  Some parts were a little dry or confusing, but I did like the storyline and how this book was different than any other book I have ever read.  It seemed at parts that there was nothing else to say, but then something exciting happened and the story continued.  It mostly kept my interest though.  I think the novel is a little overrated.  It ‘s a good book, but I don’t see how someone’s life could be changed because of it.  I could see how someone could become obsessed with it because it is a very engaging story, but personally I don’t think it’s quite as amazing as some people say.  I do think House of Leaves should be taught because it isn’t the standard academic book.  It is very different but it still has many topics that can be discussed.  It also leaves room for interpretation, because not everything is laid out for the reader.   

Questions: 

1.  Why did Karen and Navidson end up outside the house?

2.  Why did Johnny’s mother go crazy?

3.  How does Karen hear Navidson when he is in the labyrinth?  

John Bonhomme Jr.

This book ended very abruptly. It had me on the edge of my seat or bed, until the end. Than I read the letters from Johnny's mom Pelafina. Another post in the blog has helped me to understand that Pelafina is the true author to the whole story. This whole book was created by Pelafina in the mental institution. Johnny Truant never lived passed a few days. He was born with holes in his brain. A miracle did happen in the hospital but than Pelafina went crazy after her baby died. She went so crazy that she wrote this book and letters to nobody. This was all made up like one of Johnny's stories. That's why Will could read his own book, and that's why Johnny would be so like bipolar. The bipolarness comes from Pelafina going in and out of her mood swings. The book ended so abruptly because the new director began to actually cure Pelafina. If Pelafina is cured than the book cant continue.
On another note this book was very unique. Throughout my lifetime I've never experienced a book quiet like this one. Change is good, so I would definitely recommend this book for further classes. The book only scared me once. One night I was reading it, and it was pitch black in my room except for a book light. I thought, actually I know I saw my closet open. It like kept opening and I like freaked out and turned on all the lights. Besides that the book was not scary, it was much more mind stimulating.

Carly Cooper

I find this ending to be quite disappointing. I felt like Johnny’s story had no ending and that Navidson’s story ending so unhappily and without any excitement. I was so angry with Johnny for being unable to turn his life around and have a happy ending. I felt like the letters from his mother were useless and almost confusing. Maybe some insight to what’s wrong with him was given, assuming his mother’s mental and psychological illness was genetic and he now has this problem that will eventually lead to his slow painful death. Overall I really enjoyed the book but I was disappointed with the ending and how it was inconclusive and not so happy. The ending was a little too abrupt for me and I was expecting something a little bit more exciting. I like the book because it was captivating and usually I don’t enjoy such fictional stories but I was intrigued and always wanted to keep reading.
I think it is an interesting book to teach in class. I find that there are a lot of different types of literature used; it teaches that not all novels have to be exactly the same. The way this was written as well as the format of the writing was interesting and give s anew perspective to writing as well as reading.

Natalya Gornopolskaya

These last few chapters are very elusive and vague in terms of bringing a true ending to the story. It starts off with a very long and detailed series of journal entries by Johnny Truant. They contain an entire years worth of events involving some outrageous and questionable facts. The journal entries are written out of chronological order, and are somewhat misleading. Lude has died as a result of his deadly encounter with Gdansk man, along with the help of a few too many painkillers. It appears as though Johnny has somehow managed to avenge his friend Lude by savagely attacking and murdering the Gdansk man and Kyrie. Johnny now travels all over the country, seemingly following a trail that will lead him to discovering the mysteries behind the house on Ash Tree Lane. However, finding the path he seeks out is meaningless; he simply wishes to find his mother. Johnny reveals to us how he got the scars on his arms; it was at the hands of his mother. She accidentally spilled sizzling cooking oil on his forearms when he was very young, marking him for life. Johnny remembers her and how he last saw her at the age of seven, when she was taken away to a mental institution. These entries close on an eerie story of a baby born with holes in his brain. The child is badly brain damaged and needs machines in order to stay alive. His mother stays with him, taking care of him for four days straight. She then decides it is time to unplug the machines, and her child dies. At the end of the Navidson Record, Karen conquers her claustrophobia in an effort to save Navidson. She enters the hallway to find him lying down, cold and out of breath. At the hospital Karen stays with Navy, nursing him back to health with love. Navidson does indeed recover, though he is left substantially deformed. He loses his right hand, left eye, patches of skin on his face and ear, and he is confined to a crutch for the rest of his life. However, the Navidson record ends on a bright note, with Karen and Will exchanging vows in Vermont and settling down in a new house with Chad and Daisy. The next section of the book contains personal notes from Zampanò, along with his poems, photographs and collages. There is also a section of Pelican Poems that bear some insight into the life of Zampanò. The very last and most cryptic section is the Whalestoe Institute Letters, from Johnny’s mother, Pelafina. Through her letters we see not only how brilliant and thoughtful she was, but also how much she truly loved Johnny. She even writes her letters in a special code that reveals a horrible secret. As Pelafina’s mental state deteriorates she is driven to the point at which she kills herself. Though this story ends far better for some than it does for others, it is an ending that leaves me frightened and bewildered.

Questions:

1. Are there more hidden messages throughout the book, other than within the Whalestoe letters?

2. Is the story of the baby significant towards Johnny and Pelafina?

3. Why do Pelafina and Johnny slightly differ in the memories they recount of one another

Victoria Gornopolskaya

"This great blue world of ours seems a house of leaves moments before the wind."

To be honest when I first began reading this book I was skeptical and unsure of whether I liked it or not. After finishing the book along with the appendices, I absolutely loved it. The ending nearly brought tears to my eyes. I was so sure Navidson was a dead man, but there he was, safe in Karen's arms. Karen found him somehow, and saved him; her love saved him. The house dissolved around the two of them as she held him. Navy was in terrible shape at the end but he survived and he and Karen grew old together with the children in a house full of photos rather than darkness. After reading Pelafina's letters I understood the book. I realized she is perhaps one of the most important people throughout the entire novel. I believe Pelafina may have been a schizo who created all of the characters and Johnny Truant never existed. None of these characters ever existed except for Pelafina. Pelafina may have been the mother in the story about the baby with holes in its brain, the baby being Johnny. After sitting there for days and watching her child die, she must have gone crazy as anyone would and had been forced to stay at the Whalestoe Institute. The moment where she supposedly tried to choke Johnny or wipe tears from his face resembles the moment where the mother had to give up her child and pull the chord. In her encoded letter she tells of how the people there rape her and she is full of shattered hope. She is writing to her only son, the only person she has in the world, though he is dead. I also came to think that this book may be written by Pelafina. Her font is the same font that the editors use. She constantly tells Johnny to follow his mind and believe in it. This is very relevant to the hallway that somewhat works the way the human mind works. Mental state is another large theme in this book, providing more implications that Pelafina wrote it. I think this is very clever and a great way to close the story and make sense of it. I also loved the quotes and poems at the end of the book. One of my favorites is this one:
I took my morning walk, I took my evening walk, I ate something, I thought about something, I wrote something, I napped and dreamt something too, and with all that something, I still have nothing because so much of sum' things had always been and always will be you.
I miss you.
Questions:
Did Pelafina write the entire novel and create all these characters?
Do the character's names say something significant about each of them?
My dear Zampano, who did you lose?