by the American author Mark Z. Danielewski
, published by Pantheon Books
. The novel quickly became a bestseller
following its March 7, 2000 release. It was followed by a companion piece, The Whalestoe Letters
. The novel has since been translated into a number of languages.
The format and structure of the novel is unconventional, with unusual page layout and style, making it ergodic literature
. It contains copious footnote
s, many of which contain footnotes themselves, and some of which reference books that do not exist.
Some pages contain only a few words or lines of text, arranged in strange ways to mirror the events in the story, often creating both an agoraphobic and a claustrophobic effect.
Here then at long last is my darkness. No cry of light, no glimmer, not even the faintest shard of hope to break free across the hold.
I will become, have become, a creature unstirred by history, no longer moved by the present, just hungry, blind and at long last filled of mindless wrath.
Little solace comes
to those who grieve
when thoughts keep drifting
as walls keep shifting
and this great blue world of ours
seems a house of leaves
moments before the wind. (p. 563)
This is not for you.
Known some call is air am.
Through all the windows I only see infinity.
Muss es sein?
A wild ode mentioned at New West hotel over wine infusions, light, lit, lofted on very eventertaining moods, yawning in return, open nights, inviting everyone's song[...] (p. 117)