Since I reviewed it briefly in my LJ (there's a link in my comment below, in case you want to read it), I can state unequivocally that I began reading it on August 11, 2003. Ain't LJ grand? :D
It depends on what you're looking for. Me, I was hellbent on finding background material, because there's some obscure myths he's used in the book (perhaps subconsciously) and I wanted to know about each and every one of them.
spiderine has a good point, though. Start with houseofleaves and go from there. (His sister goes by the artist name of Poe. Do you have her music? She created an album to go with HOL.)
Yes. Please. I want to be able to work out how I can make it work for me, instead of just getting swept up in it as I do with EVERY OTHER PLOT EVER. Some day I will work out how to do this 'plot' stuff, honest. XD
Didn't you just ... well, I suppose "love" is a weird word in context. But when I read it, I was blown away. Absolutely floored.
If you want to read what I wrote about it, my review is here: http://spiderine.livejournal.com/30403.html
Lately I've been thinking about re-reading it to see whether it holds up, but it's so involving I don't know whether I'm ready to go there again. It affected me that much!
That is an excellent review, far more coherent than I could hope to be about it all. I'd... my instant reaction is to want to dive back in, because I read too fast and skim too much and fear I missed a million and one things that will make me smack myself in the forehead upon repetition, but the sheer weight of it makes me reconsider. And I'm not talking just the size of the book, although that is definitely a factor, but how much it's made me think.
Usually I read a book and move on. It's a shame, and I feel I ought to put more thought into theories and such, but I've not studied English Lit in any great depth and therefore I don't feel as though I have the tools to hand to take any works of fiction apart. This makes me want to explore and dismantle and theorise and I'm not sure I have the mental capacity or the time. XD
This book sounds so utterly fascinating (and terrifying) that is has now moved to the top of my "Find and Read" list. Though perhaps I should invest in a nightlight to read it by... *grin*
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Date: 2006-07-29 09:45 pm (UTC)Wasn't it crazy? I got such a kick out of looking around for theories and stuff online, once I was done.
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Date: 2006-07-29 11:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-29 11:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-29 11:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-29 11:12 pm (UTC)I have never looked for theories in my life. Seriously. How does one go about such a thing?
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Date: 2006-07-29 11:28 pm (UTC)It depends on what you're looking for. Me, I was hellbent on finding background material, because there's some obscure myths he's used in the book (perhaps subconsciously) and I wanted to know about each and every one of them.
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Date: 2006-07-29 11:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-29 10:12 pm (UTC)Awesome, huh?
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Date: 2006-07-29 11:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-29 11:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-29 11:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-29 11:33 pm (UTC)Done!
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Date: 2006-07-29 11:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-29 11:31 pm (UTC)It is. Or will be. Not for a few months yet, but I've been sketching out ideas.
Are you interested?
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Date: 2006-07-29 11:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-29 11:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-29 11:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-29 11:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-29 11:00 pm (UTC)If you want to read what I wrote about it, my review is here:
http://spiderine.livejournal.com/30403.html
Lately I've been thinking about re-reading it to see whether it holds up, but it's so involving I don't know whether I'm ready to go there again. It affected me that much!
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Date: 2006-07-29 11:18 pm (UTC)Usually I read a book and move on. It's a shame, and I feel I ought to put more thought into theories and such, but I've not studied English Lit in any great depth and therefore I don't feel as though I have the tools to hand to take any works of fiction apart. This makes me want to explore and dismantle and theorise and I'm not sure I have the mental capacity or the time. XD
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Date: 2006-07-29 11:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-29 11:27 pm (UTC)I got it from the library. I fear I may have to give in and actually buy the thing.
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Date: 2006-07-29 11:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-30 03:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-30 04:15 am (UTC)...some books just do that.