A list of useful threads for those new to this site

**Stencil** · 05-12-2003, 04:49 AM

A list of useful threads for those new to this site

Welcome to the

of Leaves Forum! This thread is here to give you a short introduction to the things that have been explored on the board so far. The board has been up and running for about four years, so there is a lot to get through and a lot has been discussed. However, the good thing is that very little has been agreed upon, so your opinion, as long as it is new, counts just as much as the opinion of a veteran poster. We ask that you do as we once did, and read threads for a while without posting, so you know the general gist of what has been said (and, more importantly, what has not been said). Two things. We have wondered why the word

is in blue, and we have looked into the whole Yggdrasil thing. Talk about it by all means, but please do it in a thread that has already been opened. You will find a couple of threads here, but there are plenty more. Once you have had a chance to look through these threads, you can continue onto A Guide to the Forum, a more comprehensive list and summary of all the important threads, and then onto Key to All Mythologies, the beginning of a commentary to the book. Well, that's it really. Be sure to take a look at the Out of the Way Forum, and introduce yourself here if you want. Hope you enjoy your time here.

Chronology
Color and Text
Photography
Theory
Yggdrasil
Characters
Influences
Science
The Index
Interviews
Textual Issues
Miscellaneous

Chronology
Chronologie

.t.h.e. .u.l.t.i.m.a.t.e. .t.i.m.e.l.i.n.e.
Back

Colour and Text:

What's with the colors

The Obvious
The Obvious being the question 'Why is the word "

" in blue?'
Back

Photography and Images:

Appendix II-C. Collages

Kevin Carter & F*ck Buttons
Some background on the photographer who took the original 'Delial' photo and a suggestion of the significance of buttons in

of Leaves.

Delial
More background on the picture.

Kalapana, Hawaii 1993

Photographs
An examination of the photos of various

s in one of the appendicies.

"Alexander Gardner's photograph of the Union dead"
Begins by providing a link one of the sources mentioned in a footnote, then develops into a discussion on art and truth.

Images

"Theory"

"Exactly"
Explores the nature of myth as it relates to

of Leaves. First appearence of John B.'s 'Unbound book' theory.

"Livre. [sic]"
An attempt to explain why the book has so many intentional inconsistencies.

"

and Universe"
Examines Gaston Bachelard's The Poetics of Space.

derrida

D structure

derrida and footnote 137
Back

Yggdrasil:

Last Page: Yggdrasil?

yggdrasil
Back

Characters:

What's in a Name?

P/J/Z Conversation??

Karen as author

2341?
Possible connections between Karen and Pelafina and Karen's birthdate.

Zampano's ------> French Foreign Legion
A hint at Zampano's history.

Why does Zampano write TNR? And why does Johnny edit it?

Jacob and Esau
Back

Book Editions:

Comprehensive guide to printings/editions/ISBN's etc.

printing, editions,etc.

Links to other printing edition threads
Back

Acrostic COEDS:

Codes for Dummies

page 66
An interesting code found in the list of photographers, which the following two threads can help explain.

Sibyl of Cumae

I thought this was interesting

Love my ironies
Another code.

help!
Back

Influences:

Source Material: Building a Library for (from) the

Kafka
The thread also takes in Bronte and Ovid as well.

I merely wanted Glas. That is all.
A look at one book that seems to have been a great influence on

of Leaves.

Hofstadter and Bach's Little Harmonic Labyrinth
Another possible influence.

Updike
Though strictly speaking this thread is really about Borges. . .

More Borges
. . . as is this.

Coincidence. . . ? I think not.
This thread looks at the influence of Slyvia Plath on HoL

Neverending Story????
Back

Science:

Fire in Zero Gravity
This thread takes its starting point from the final part of Exploration #5 and explores The problems and inconsistencies of lighting matches in a Zero G environment, then questions whether the labyrinth could be a Zero G environment. Also asks whether it is our copy of

of Leaves Navidson is reading there. And much more besides.

by Zampanò
Physics, the repetition of four in the book and much more.
Back

The Index:

The Index

Index fun

. . .DNE
Back

Interviews:

Critique Magazine Interview

Flakmag interview

Bookworm interview
Back

Textual Issues

"prolix--your word--"
Who is this "you" Johnny addresses?

Poiple
That struck line in chapter XXI, why is it "in" purple?

About the title. . .

September 19, 1988 - hypertext edition

check mark
Why does the check mark appear on page 97 of the American edition?

This is not for you..

Know some call is air am

K
What does Footnote k refer to?

Intertextual Intercises and Footnotes

of Leaves
Looks at a number of possible readings for "Leaves" in the title.

typo?
Noticed that "pisces" is where "pieces" should be? Think that's the only "typo" in HoL? Think again.

Hexcode Aiff
What does the Hex stuff mean?
Back

Miscellaneous, or: "Here until I can come up with new categories":

pelican poems

Mark?
Is Mark Z. Danielewski posting on this site, or has he ever? This thread won't tell you, but it tells you the reasons why.

Gavin Young

Hey, D.J!: Lyrics from (non-POE) songs in HoL

Sometimes a whale is just a whale
Are we pissing our spare time up the wall trying to work out this book? How much of what we see in it was actually intentional on Danielewski's part? Does it matter?

pg 467
Is it our copy of

of Leaves Navidson is reading?

the

as a grave

ash burns

For the discerning newbie, Exploration Z is a den of treasures, including:

The Idiot's Guide to

of Leaves

The Random

Reader's Guide

Back

**fatwoul** · 05-12-2003, 06:35 AM

Just thought I would try my new ultra-helpful signature.

You see, "kiss" links to the ultimate timeline, because I really like that thread, despite girl2 being annoying.

"my" links to the search function, because everybody seems to think the search function issue is mine.

"arse" links to this thread because Stencil is an arse. It is a useful thread though.

How fucking helpful am I?

**k__rom** · 05-12-2003, 09:03 AM

I like it. You forgot to put something in for the topic of the different editions though.

**Stencil** · 05-13-2003, 01:42 AM

Thanks for the advice k__rom, I have incorporated some threads I found useful on the various editions.

quote:
Originally posted by fatwoul:
. . "arse" links to this thread because Stencil is an arse.

Look, I said I didn't swing that way (i.e. toward Gaynetic North), so you're barking up the wrong tree. I'm flattered, honestly I am, but could you stop objectifying me in your gay way?

And tell your dad to stop phoning me! I'm not interested!

quote:
Originally posted by fatwoul:
It is a useful thread though.

It is, isn't it?

**k__rom** · 05-13-2003, 10:18 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Stencil:
Thanks for the advice k__rom, I have incorporated some threads I found useful on the various editions.

Anytime Stencil. Glad I could help! [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

**k__rom** · 05-13-2003, 10:31 AM

Another quick thing you might want to add. (It's not a link but still useful.) You should tell people to be sure they have finished reading House of Leaves before they come to this site and reading the posts.

[ May 17, 2003: Message edited by: k__rom ]

**Chiefy_Overlord** · 05-20-2003, 07:10 AM

yeah and don't forget to tell 'em to swear like a prat out of a Saturday night fight either

swearing with the worst obscene language known, seems to be a pre-condition on here, what a waste [img]images/smiles/icon_sad.gif[/img]

**Stencil** · 05-20-2003, 09:17 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Chiefy_Overlord:
yeah and don't forget to tell 'em to swear like a prat out of a Saturday night fight either

swearing with the worst obscene language known, seems to be a pre-condition on here, what a waste [img]images/smiles/icon_sad.gif[/img]

You've gotta admit that the language in the book was pretty, dare I say, blue.

**Parappa's Triumphant Retu** · 05-20-2003, 09:22 AM

To all those who say that Stencil stinks
I say take a look at all these awesome links!

**Stencil** · 05-20-2003, 09:28 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Parappa's Triumphant Return:
To all those who say that Stencil stinks
I say take a look at all these awesome links!

There's something wrong with the links, okay?

(Thanks though for the backhanded compliment, though I'm sure, very sure that the backhandedness was accidental).

**Parappa's Triumphant Retu** · 05-20-2003, 09:31 AM

Parappa ain't sitting suspenseful with a pencil
when it comes time to talk about Stencil
if he was gonna get in yo' face
it would have been an avalanche, not a trace!

wikkiwikkiwikkipropah!

**Parappa's Triumphant Retu** · 05-20-2003, 12:37 PM

listen ped you spoilin' to be made an example
any fool be knowin dat da rappas like to sample
learn from me, son, it don't matter if they like you
so stop sucking ass and trying so hard; oh and eat shit too!

wikkiwikkiwikkipropah!

**k__rom** · 05-21-2003, 06:06 AM

I'm just keeping the thread on top of the list for awhile. It's useful, ya know?

**Stencil** · 05-21-2003, 06:39 AM

quote:
Originally posted by k__rom:
I'm just keeping the thread on top of the list for awhile. It's useful, ya know?

There's no need to do that. It's just like fighting against the tide anyway: forget to bump the thread a couple of days in a row and next thing you know it's on page 2 or worse (e.g. page 3).

What you could do, if you feel like it, is incorporate a link in your signature. Like John B. has.

**Knuzt** · 05-21-2003, 08:30 AM

some more semi-useful threads:
names names go away shortly about some of the names in HoL, and

back cover, a short discussion on the back cover of the colored edition (not actually ON it).

edit: this thread is about "the bald gnome error", not an unimportant thread, considering that Zampanò might be referring to Truant when speaking of errors.

[ May 27, 2003: Message edited by: The Pediatrician ]

**fatwoul** · 05-21-2003, 08:44 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Stencil:
...What you could do, if you feel like it, is incorporate a link in your signature. Like John B. has.

Hey fuck you what the shit do you think this is??!?!

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V

**Stencil** · 05-21-2003, 08:48 AM

Gee, sorry Fatwoul, I thought since you'd already told everyone, I didn't need to mention it.

How foolish of me.

Fatwoul put a link to this thread in his signature.
Hooray for Fatwoul!!!
WHOO!!!!

Seriously, I forgot. Apologies.

[ May 21, 2003: Message edited by: Stencil ]

**malakite** · 05-21-2003, 10:19 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Chiefy_Overlord:
yeah and don't forget to tell 'em to swear like a prat out of a Saturday night fight either

swearing with the worst obscene language known, seems to be a pre-condition on here, what a waste [img]images/smiles/icon_sad.gif[/img]

no, no, i think he has the right idea. he has inspired me to give this message to new members:

if you will be bothered by the frequent use of 'bad' language, bothered enough to right condescending posts complaining about it, then you should probably find a different place to discuss HoL. in fact, if you choose to make irritating remarks berating established members for their word choice, then you are not welcome here.

**verismo** · 05-21-2003, 10:44 PM

quote:
Originally posted by malakite:

if you will be bothered by the frequent use of 'bad' language, bothered enough to right condescending posts complaining about it, then you should probably find a different place to discuss HoL. in fact, if you choose to make irritating remarks berating established members for their word choice, then you are not welcome here.

On top of that, if you are offended by 'bad language', how the Hell did you make it through House of Leaves?

**fatwoul** · 05-22-2003, 05:58 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Stencil:
Fatwoul put a link to this thread in his signature.
Hooray for Fatwoul!!!
WHOO!!!!

No need to shout.

**goof7** · 05-22-2003, 08:54 AM

quote:
Originally posted by verismo:

On top of that, if you are offended by 'bad language', how the Hell did you make it through House of Leaves?

Is he offended by the language per se or its use in insults?

**DanSRose** · 05-22-2003, 09:05 AM

This is the best thread up. Ever. I'd add something, but all the good threads have been taken and nothing is missing.

**fatwoul** · 05-22-2003, 09:21 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Chiefy_Overlord:
...swearing with the worst obscene language known, seems to be a pre-condition on here, what a waste [img]images/smiles/icon_sad.gif[/img]

What
a
cunt

guiltyguilt · 06-09-2003, 12:09 PM

Hello. I'm new here, having only finished the book yesterday, and I have some questions and observations.

1. Is the consensus of opinion that the house is malevolant?
[Consider the implications made that the house responds to our feelings. i.e. It takes less time to get to the bottom when you know there's a bottom, and nervousness seems to make the stairs elongate. And furthermore, that as Navy gives up hope, he starts to feel comfortable in there, culminating in the shared joy of his reunion with Karen that proves to be their salvation].

2. I love the description of how he can read a book without light, but gosh, what is he reading. House of Leaves! This needs an explanation. Aglie says that Z left it blank as he hadn't decided what to give Navy to read yet, and it was JT who decided to put in the words "House of Leaves". Maybe, but maybe that possibility is beside the point. Why does MZD want to do that? Does he want to connect Navy to me, as I actually am reading a book by that name? Does he mean that the book is some sort of eternal thing? Did JT name this book after Navy's book? That doesn't solve it. The key for me is the poem on page 563 (I just thought of this; be gentle). If MZD wants to connect Navy to the reader (by having him mirroring our position by reading the same book that we do), then his house is metaphor for our world. As Camus said, man seeks Clarity, Order and Permanence. Our world denies these things. The house is an exaggeration of this problem. Ponder the poem: "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" Ace poem! Gives us the point of the book. However hard we try, our lives are transient. There is nowhere we can lay our foundations. Everything keeps shifting. I'm going for a cry now...

3. ...Only joking. Lievre. All the stuff about the hare and its symbolism. And Thumper representing JT's desire to find a new mother. That's really funny, but a big red herring. Thumper was a rabbit, for one thing. The name Lievre is used because it makes the pun "Livre[sic]" possible. I'm with JOHN B. here with his implications for the death of the author tie-in. Smart. It's a new type of book and it lives in us, brothers and sisters. Barthes might approve.

4. I was kind of forced to read this book (I'm grateful). I know who I am, but who are you? Do you people read Stephen King or Pynchon or what, by the way?

Anyway, thanks for helping me think about this rather tricky book. A very insightful BB. I'm off to see what else I can find.

**John B.** · 06-09-2003, 08:25 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ray Gunn:
[QB]1. Is the consensus of opinion that the house is malevolant?
[Consider the implications made that the house responds to our feelings. i.e. It takes less time to get to the bottom when you know there's a bottom, and nervousness seems to make the stairs elongate. And furthermore, that as Navy gives up hope, he starts to feel comfortable in there, culminating in the shared joy of his reunion with Karen that proves to be their salvation].

There's an interesting thread entitled "Friendly House" that makes an interesting argument against the House's being malevolent. I'm not sure I buy it, but at least it offers textual support. Thus, it's worth a look; its chief attribute is that it makes one look closer at the House as a character existing independent of the psyches of the human characters . . . and therefore complicates the easy-to-make assumption about the House's evil nature.

**sevenblu** · 06-10-2003, 07:40 AM

THANK YOU

**fearful_syzygy** · 12-18-2003, 03:42 AM

You should update the link to Exploration Z:

http://houseofleaves.4t.com/

Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be maintained very much anymore, so a lot of the external links are dead, but still, it's better than nothing...

Edit: and the The Editors thread appears to be defunct. Hope it wasn't that useful after all.

[ December 19, 2003: Message edited by: fearful_syzygy ]

**Ellimist** · 02-01-2004, 01:19 PM

Bringing thread to top. It was the first thing I went to when I was new...

**John B.** · 05-08-2004, 03:05 AM

::bump::

Also: Coincidence? I think not, a nice list of parallels with Sylvia Plath's work.

**Stencil** · 05-08-2004, 05:13 AM

Right, after two bastard hours, the useful thread list is now useable.

Thread: A list of useful threads for those new to this site

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