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9.35k reviews for:
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America
Erik Larson
3.87 AVERAGE
9.35k reviews for:
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America
Erik Larson
3.87 AVERAGE
dark
informative
medium-paced
I felt as though I were reading two separate books that had been mashed together. It was difficult to become familiar with one set of characters when you were just going to be thrown into the other (and vice versa).
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
dark
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
dark
informative
reflective
fast-paced
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
I DNF’d this book. That is NOT something I do, or take lightly. I wanted a book on H.H. Holmes, not the world fair.
dark
informative
slow-paced
HUTCHINGS BOOK CLUB FEB 2021:
3.5 Stars
I thought that this book was pretty good. The biggest struggle I had with this book (which many other reviews similarly mention) is that Larson seems to have written two different books and tried to weave them together into one story-- a connection that he never really succeeds at. To me, it seemed evident that Larson was passionate about the architecture side of the story and the evolution of the Chicago World's Fair. He goes into much detail and takes great care to explain far too many people in few too many chapters. This story in and of itself was interesting. However, when compared to the fascinating horror of H.H. Holmes and his scamming and murdering, it was hard for me to maintain interest in the architecture when I was hoping for more information on Holmes.
I wish that these two stories had existed separately-- I think that instead of writing two separate stories into one, he lacked the detail and interest that they each could have achieved. Instead, we get two separate stories that BOTH feel incomplete. Additionally, I did not think that the historical writing and research was quite up to snuff.
This book did succeed for me in piquing my interest in Chicago's architecture, turn-of-the-century technology and inventions, murder and mystery of the time, H.H. Holmes ability to scam people, late 1800 law enforcement and investigation, and women's societal evolution. There were also interesting themes of classism as well. I am glad that I read it, I just wish more elements were answered and that the two subjects felt fully explored.
3.5 Stars
I thought that this book was pretty good. The biggest struggle I had with this book (which many other reviews similarly mention) is that Larson seems to have written two different books and tried to weave them together into one story-- a connection that he never really succeeds at. To me, it seemed evident that Larson was passionate about the architecture side of the story and the evolution of the Chicago World's Fair. He goes into much detail and takes great care to explain far too many people in few too many chapters. This story in and of itself was interesting. However, when compared to the fascinating horror of H.H. Holmes and his scamming and murdering, it was hard for me to maintain interest in the architecture when I was hoping for more information on Holmes.
I wish that these two stories had existed separately-- I think that instead of writing two separate stories into one, he lacked the detail and interest that they each could have achieved. Instead, we get two separate stories that BOTH feel incomplete. Additionally, I did not think that the historical writing and research was quite up to snuff.
This book did succeed for me in piquing my interest in Chicago's architecture, turn-of-the-century technology and inventions, murder and mystery of the time, H.H. Holmes ability to scam people, late 1800 law enforcement and investigation, and women's societal evolution. There were also interesting themes of classism as well. I am glad that I read it, I just wish more elements were answered and that the two subjects felt fully explored.
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced