"House of Leaves": Chapters 6-8

Chapter 6 begins with Zampanò commenting on the disappearance of Navidson’s dog and cat. He mentions the house is the most likely culprit, but no evidence has, or ever will be, found. The disappearance of the pets soon becomes the least of the family’s concerns and never directly commented on. Zampanò notes the disappearance and mentions how few have actually noticed it and how no one has ever written on the event. Zampanò, himself, neglects to write of the animals, but, instead, chooses to write about how strange it is how little is known or mentioned by other authors.

Truant catches on quickly to what Zampanò has done, or rather, what he has not done. Truant writes, “Strange how Zampanò also fails to comment on the inability of animals to wander those corridors. I believe there is a great deal of significance to this discovery,” before falling into a story about his current love interest.

I believe this is the best example of what this book is about. Problems are constantly being brought up and introduced but, so few are actually resolved. “House of Leaves” is not a feel-good book in which the characters make the right decision every time they are faced with an issue. This causes them to appear more relatable and realistic. In many books, the character must make an important decision which holds the potential of ruining their lives or saving the day. In these stories, the correct decision is always made, and everything works out perfectly. This is simply untrue for the characters of “House of Leaves.” They are flawed, complex characters who induce rage and frustration in the readers.

Similarly, the narrators and characters can pose dozens of questions without providing an answer. This book is meant to create a loss of sanity and frustration in the reader. Doing so allows you to better able to relate to the characters. By being bombarded with questions and neglected of answers from every narrator you are slowly driven crazy.

Another passage I enjoyed was at the end of Chapter 8. Truant has interjected with a completely unrelated story and derails from the focus of the Navidson Record. In the story, he has finally found the courage to ask a woman out on a date. During the date, he begins to explain to her the paper he has found by Zampanò. Noticing her discomfort, Truant decides to abandon the discussion. In response, the woman says, “If you want my opinion, you just need to get out of the house.”

While this is a normal response many people have given to paranoid individuals, it is an interesting phrase in the context of the story. It shows Truant has become more connectedNavidson, the man he has only ever read about. Truant doubts the authenticity of the Navidson Record, but the woman’s comment suggests he is living a parallel existence to Navidson. Her comment seems to say Truant is being driven mad and the house is at fault. By replacing the name ‘Truant’ with ‘Navidson’, the sentence still stands true.