Chroncast Season 1 Episode 6 - House Of Leaves with Ed Wilson

[Dan Jones]

This episode @Phyrebrat and I finally open that door of the Chronscast household we'd not dared to open before and plunge into the abyssal labyrinth that is Mark Danielewski's maddeningly epic debut novel, House Of Leaves. A book that defies conventional categorisation, it's been described as a horror, a literary piece, a puzzle, and even a love story.

We're joined on this subterranean literary odyssey by renowned literary agent Ed Wilson. Ed is the director of the Johnson & Alcock literary agency, representing a vibrant and developing list of fiction and non-fiction, from new and debut writers to established, bestselling and award-winning authors.

With Ed we gleefully dip down the House Of Leaves rabbithole, discussing ergodic literature, innovation in writing, the perils of over-analysing texts, and the Manic Street Preachers. We also chat about the submissions process and navigating the slush pile, and the options open to authors and agents.

Elsewhere, The Judge gives a sumptuous talk on the use of clothing in worldbuilding, and the effects that clothing can have on society, and our writing. We'll hear the winning entries to May's 75-word challenge, and April's 300-word challenge, written by Oliver Helm (@therapist) and @Victoria Silverwolf respectively, and we get an unexpected phone call from an ex-President of the United States, whose home extension has gotten out of hand and seems to lead to the belt of Orion.

Next Month
Join us next month when we'll be joined by literary agent John Jarrold to talk about Rob Holdstock's winner of the 1984 World Fantasy Award, Mythago Wood.

Index
[00:00 - 52:54] Ed Wilson Interview Part 1
[52:54 - 54:07] Voicemail 1
[54:08 - 1:08:28] The Judge's Corner
[1:08:28 - 1:09:10] Voicemail 2
[1:09:11 - 1:12:31] Writing Challenge Winners
[1:12:32 - 1:13:43] Voicemail 3
[1:13:44 - 2:07:31] Ed Wilson Interview Part 2
[2:07:32 - 2:09:36] - Credits

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[The Judge]

I've just listened to the first half of the podcast and despite knowing nothing about the novel, and having absolutely no intention of reading it, and being just as ignorant about most of the other books mentioned, I actually enjoyed the talk! In part that was because (a) I was thinking Tristram Shandy a good 30 seconds before it was mentioned so it made me feel intelligent and (b) coincidentally I read Ariadne last month which also dealt with the Minotaur and its Labyrinth, but from the point of view of the women involved, namely its poor mother and half-sisters for whom it means continual humiliation and suffering, which was rather a counterpoint to the way it seemed to be handled here -- from what was said, I definitely agree there seems to be an element of misogyny in the novel and/or its characters.

The real pleasure came from hearing Ed Wilson talk, though -- I had to giggle at his opening as to why he chose this book! -- so I'm looking forward to hearing the second half with him tomorrow.

 

[Dan Jones]

He was a fab guest, a real hoot and took the whole thing seriously while not taking it too seriously, if you get my drift...

Everyone should have a go at reading House of Leaves - it absolutely won't be to everyone's taste it's an experience just to pick up the book and flick through it.

 

[The Judge]

Have now listened to the second half, which was also enjoyable and interesting, and I might well listen to it again at some point. Meanwhile, perhaps, Dan, if Ed gives his permission, you could precis some of his advice/comments and we could add it to The Toolbox with a link back to the podcast.

I hadn't clicked that he represented Andrew Caldecott (whose day job is actually as an eminent QC, mainly dealing with defamation law). I loved Rotherweird which had a touch of gormenghasterie about it in the buildings and names, and though it wasn't without plot holes I'd second his recommendation of it as it's so imaginative and bizarre, and the Tudor episodes were very well done. However, to my mind the sequel, Wyntertide, was something of a structural mess, and after an excellent and gripping start the third book, Lost Acre, completely lost the plot in the last tenth of the book, and the ending was a rushed disappointment. So if you get the trilogy, I'd be interested in hearing what you think of them. (Perhaps I should go onto Goodreads and give the last two a one-star review each so he can cut and paste them over to Caldecott!)

 

[Dan Jones]

However, to my mind the sequel, Wyntertide, was something of a structural mess, and after an excellent and gripping start the third book, Lost Acre, completely lost the plot in the last tenth of the book, and the ending was a rushed disappointment.

Saying this of an eminent QC experienced in defamation cases seems to be just asking for trouble in my eyes!

Will Chrons be dragged into the next trial of the century?

I don't think we need any permissions to precis any guest comments, so long as they're not being misrepresented (continuing the defamation theme). Once we publish the podcast episodes it is (so far as I'm aware) like any other published content.

 

[Christine Wheelwright]

I've included some thinly-veiled representations of famous individuals in my work. Generally in an unflattering light. Most recently a failed medieval first minister stripped of his position by the queen and made court jester. Name of Joris. Let 'em sue!

 

[The Judge]

Saying this of an eminent QC experienced in defamation cases seems to be just asking for trouble in my eyes!

Will Chrons be dragged into the next trial of the century?

Well, someone didn't listen closely to my talk on defamation, then! Subjective opinion!

I don't think we need any permissions to precis any guest comments, so long as they're not being misrepresented (continuing the defamation theme). Once we publish the podcast episodes it is (so far as I'm aware) like any other published content.

And here's the relevance of the copyright talk... Well, actually, perhaps not if it's only a precis, but it's still a matter of courtesy to get his OK.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

It’s a fabulous book, so inventive

 

[Dan Jones]

Name of Joris.

Let me guess - his surname is Bohnson?

 

[AnRoinnUltra]

Well done again lads, great guest with a serious love of writing that showed -and thanks @The Judge for the insight; was listening to Victoriocity earlier and they had a purple toga gag that would otherwise have just sailed off into the ether

 

[Dave]

Another interesting guest.

How's it all going? Numbers of listeners building? Are people still accessing earlier episodes?

 

[Stephen Palmer]

Really interesting episode @Dan Jones . Nice one!

 

[Dan Jones]

Cheers Steve! Ed was great fun wasn't he?

 

[The Judge]

For anyone interested in my talk on the law relating to clothing, I've posted about it in my History thread with links to my sources The Chronscast Talks -- the Law and History