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Cover of House of Leaves

Horror · Literary

House of Leaves

by Mark Z. Danielewski

4.1 out of 5, from 824 ratings from Hardcover readers

A tattoo-shop worker finds a dead man's manuscript about a documentary on a house that is larger inside than out. As he reads, the text, the footnotes and his own life start to unravel.

Facts last checked 2026-10-16

First published
2000
Pace
Slow
Length
Long
Pages
709
Format
Standalone
Borrow free with Libby Compare prices Save to my shelf

Read this if you want an experimental horror novel where the layout, footnotes and typography are part of the story.

Skip this if you want a straight narrative, because this is demanding and deliberately disorienting.

The feel

Content warnings

  • Mental illness
  • Violence
  • Death
  • Sexual content
  • Addiction

Also reported by Hardcover readers:

  • Suicide
  • Panic attacks/disorders
  • Confinement
  • Animal death
  • Gun violence
  • Drug use
  • Death of parent

Quick answers about House of Leaves

What is House of Leaves about?
A tattoo-shop worker finds a dead man's manuscript about a documentary on a house that is larger inside than out. As he reads, the text, the footnotes and his own life start to unravel.
Who should read House of Leaves?
Read it if you want an experimental horror novel where the layout, footnotes and typography are part of the story. Skip it if you want a straight narrative, because this is demanding and deliberately disorienting.
How long and how fast is House of Leaves?
It is a slow-paced, long read of about 709 pages, first published in 2000.
Does House of Leaves have content warnings?
Content we flag: Mental illness, Violence, Death, Sexual content, Addiction.
Can I borrow House of Leaves for free?
Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends House of Leaves; the borrow button above searches it for you.
What should I read after House of Leaves?
Readers who liked it often move on to Piranesi, The Haunting of Hill House, Annihilation.

Where to get it

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