House of Leaves — In-Universe Timeline

A reader-friendly chronology that maps the film layer (The Navidson Record), the manuscript layer (Zampanò), and the compiler layer (Johnny Truant). Because claims compete, treat dates as approximate and note who is speaking.

Reading order How to read Study & annotation guide Themes hub Entities hub Appendices explained

Legend

FILM — The Navidson Record MAN — Zampanò manuscript COM — Johnny compiler notes
No spoilers Light spoilers Full spoilers

Use spoiler tags to control how deep you expand into the story. Open only what you need.

How to use this timeline

Minimal-spoiler pass

  • Read only rows marked No spoilers.
  • Skim the “Entities” column to jump to pages like Five and a Half Minute Hallway.
  • Return later for Light/Full rows.

Study workflow

  • Confirm the layer (FILM/MAN/COM) before tagging a theme.
  • Log quotes with page numbers; mark evidence vs editing.
  • Keep a simple date index; conflicting claims are expected.
Annotation guide Media & truth

Chronology (approximate)

# When (relative) Layer Event (spoiler-tiered) Entities Themes Spoiler
1 Before T0 FILM Family settles on Ash Tree Lane; domestic baseline established. Ash Tree Lane · The House Home & intimacy No
2 T0 FILM First measurement anomaly noted; documentation begins. Five and a Half Minute Hallway Media & truth · Labyrinth Light
3 T0 → T+Days FILM MAN Initial mappings; distances fail to reconcile; narrow columns mirror motion. The House Labyrinth Light
4 T+Weeks FILM MAN Outside help enlisted; a formal expedition prepares to enter. Holloway Roberts · The House Labyrinth · Evidence Light
5 T+Weeks FILM Deep corridor push; communications degrade; bearings fail. The House Labyrinth · Unreliable narration Full
6 T+Weeks FILM MAN Rescue attempt; navigation methods adapt under stress. Will Navidson · Tom Navidson · Billy Reston Home & intimacy · Labyrinth Full
7 T+Weeks FILM Major interior shift; spatial relations reset in unexpected ways. The House Labyrinth Full
8 After T+Weeks FILM MAN Aftermath & distance in domestic scenes; relationships recalibrate. Karen Green Home & intimacy Light
9 Post-events FILM MAN Footage curated into a circulating documentary; editing choices debated. The Navidson Record Media & truth Light
10 Later MAN Zampanò drafts an extensive analysis; citations and exhibits accumulate. Zampanò Evidence · Unreliable narration No
11 After Zampanò COM Johnny discovers the manuscript and compiles with commentary. Johnny Truant Unreliable narration Light
12 Back matter MAN COM Appendices & exhibits circulate; letters add epistolary depth. Appendices · Whalestoe Letters Home & intimacy Full

This is an approximate sequence assembled from contested sources; see linked pages for nuances and competing claims.

Popular routes from this hub

Timeline — FAQ

Is this timeline definitive?

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No. The novel’s layers intentionally conflict. Treat dates as working scaffolds and prioritize who says what. See Unreliable narration.

How do I avoid spoilers?

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Stick to rows tagged No spoilers and Light. Save Full rows for after finishing the main text. Use Appendices explained for timing advice.

Which format is best for timeline tracking?

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Hardcover is stable for desk notes and rotated spreads; paperback is light for quick flips. Compare at Hardcover vs Paperback or see the buy hub.

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