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beeeffjee's review against another edition
3.0
"The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson is a good book, to a point. The author does an excellent job of painting a vibrant picture of the setting, that is, 1890's Chicago. You really feel like you are there, amidst the construction of the worlds fair and the hustle and bustle of the city. That's because of the amount of detail that Larson provides the reader with it. Often, sections of the book are, in my opinion, over saturated with facts and information, especially in the sections about Burnman, the architect. Even though this book is nonfiction, it is written in a narrative style, and when there is a list of the meals being served in a certain place or the minor maladies that people suffered during the fair, it really takes you out of the story. I feel like it's just the author demonstrating the amount of research he had done for this book. However, sometimes it works, like when actual quotes from journalists from that time period are used to describe their experiences in the worlds fair. Bits like this, again, make the world feel alive. Speaking of the narrative, I found that the separation of the two stories was very distracting, and confused me more than once. They don't even have much to do with each other except the worlds fair. The stories might have been stronger if they were separated into two different books, one focusing on Burnman and the struggles before and during the worlds fair, and one focusing on the serial killer H. H. Holmes.
Speaking of H. H. Holmes, I feel that the parts with him were handled extremely well. Larson does a fantastic job painting a picture of a heartless killer. It was genuinely unnerving, especially only two of his murders were actually described. It spent more time showing the care he took in his demonic pastime. And again, the use of actual letters and quotes really make these sections stronger. I don't feel like I got to know Burnman as well as Holmes. It's like the sections devoted to Burnman were actually devoted to the fair itself, which I would be fine with if they made Burnman not as prominent of a character. When reading the Holmes sections, I was scared, and worried, because we spent time getting to know the victims. When reading the sections with Burnman, the only time I was really moved emotionally was when his partner died. Also, near the end of the book, we almost drop Burn man completely to follow the investigation of Holmes by a detective after the worlds fair. The book does end with a synopsis of what happened to Burnman after the fair, but that's not till the very end, after multiple chapters about the investigation, which makes the construction of the fair seem more and more like a non essential side story, which is weird because the book opens with Burnman.
I in no way think that this was a bad book, if fact, I rather enjoyed it, dispute it's flaws, the historical acurasy and attention to detail was at time mind blowing. As a story about one of Americas first serial killers, it was riveting, and the story of the worlds fair was incredibly interesting, but together, I don't believe they really meshed. The lack of interaction between the two story lines could be jarring I between stories. But other than that, I feel like it is a fantastic read for an avid history buff
Speaking of H. H. Holmes, I feel that the parts with him were handled extremely well. Larson does a fantastic job painting a picture of a heartless killer. It was genuinely unnerving, especially only two of his murders were actually described. It spent more time showing the care he took in his demonic pastime. And again, the use of actual letters and quotes really make these sections stronger. I don't feel like I got to know Burnman as well as Holmes. It's like the sections devoted to Burnman were actually devoted to the fair itself, which I would be fine with if they made Burnman not as prominent of a character. When reading the Holmes sections, I was scared, and worried, because we spent time getting to know the victims. When reading the sections with Burnman, the only time I was really moved emotionally was when his partner died. Also, near the end of the book, we almost drop Burn man completely to follow the investigation of Holmes by a detective after the worlds fair. The book does end with a synopsis of what happened to Burnman after the fair, but that's not till the very end, after multiple chapters about the investigation, which makes the construction of the fair seem more and more like a non essential side story, which is weird because the book opens with Burnman.
I in no way think that this was a bad book, if fact, I rather enjoyed it, dispute it's flaws, the historical acurasy and attention to detail was at time mind blowing. As a story about one of Americas first serial killers, it was riveting, and the story of the worlds fair was incredibly interesting, but together, I don't believe they really meshed. The lack of interaction between the two story lines could be jarring I between stories. But other than that, I feel like it is a fantastic read for an avid history buff
laurenafflerback's review against another edition
2.0
A LOT of information. I started the book and then stopped. Started. Stopped. And finally found the audio version through Libby.
It was ridiculously long and more about the White City (the fair) than the Devil (HH Holmes). I really thought it would be more about him. But. No. It wasn’t. Which was disappointing.
But good on Erik for the research he put into it.
It was ridiculously long and more about the White City (the fair) than the Devil (HH Holmes). I really thought it would be more about him. But. No. It wasn’t. Which was disappointing.
But good on Erik for the research he put into it.
cinchona's review against another edition
3.0
The pacing for me was a bit slow--it was a good long time before either the fair or Holmes began to be really enthralling. The facts and description of the events were fascinating. The writing was decent, if a bit over-dramatic at points--it seemed to contribute to the general old-timey feel.
For the entire first half I found the serial killer plot far, far more interesting than the tedious description of bureaucratic and political machinations. In the second half, however, I was surprised to be more taken with the descriptions of the fair and its wonders. Overall, was worth the read.
For the entire first half I found the serial killer plot far, far more interesting than the tedious description of bureaucratic and political machinations. In the second half, however, I was surprised to be more taken with the descriptions of the fair and its wonders. Overall, was worth the read.
sam_vimes_75's review against another edition
5.0
Larson craftily joins the story of the Chicago Worlds Fair with the story of one of America's first serial killers. It's one of those great nonfiction reads that proves the truth is often more fascinating than any story.
megmoo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Torture
audragio's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.75
emrodav's review against another edition
2.0
My second try getting through this book and I actually finished it!
Honestly, the minutiae of the architecture was be super boring and made this book drag on forever for about 2/3 of it. I think I only got through it all because I was listening to the audiobook. The stuff about Holmes was more interesting, but he's maybe 1/3 of the story.
I was pretty excited because I'd heard great things about this book, but I honestly don't get the hype now that I've finished it.
Honestly, the minutiae of the architecture was be super boring and made this book drag on forever for about 2/3 of it. I think I only got through it all because I was listening to the audiobook. The stuff about Holmes was more interesting, but he's maybe 1/3 of the story.
I was pretty excited because I'd heard great things about this book, but I honestly don't get the hype now that I've finished it.