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4.72 AVERAGE
4.72 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
You should know a few things:
This poetry collection won a Bram Stoker in 2018
These poems are based on "America's First Serial Killer" H. H. Holmes. If you haven't read, The Devil in the White City (a historical fiction novel by Erik Larson about Holmes, I highly recommend it as I believe that book only enhanced my reading of this collection)
Lastly, this book was included in the Night Worms package, "Feasting on Horror" November 2019 (and I am a co-owner). I was excited to buy this horror poetry collection for myself and so was Ashley, we're both big fans of Sara's after reading LOVE FOR SLAUGHTER and TO BE DEVOURED so we decided to include it for all the Worms out there.
Reading these poems was such an experience! Sara walks her readers through a timeline in history--each poem serves a purpose. The poem might be told as though we are a fly on the wall in a room observing events. It might be told through the eyes of a housekeeper who sweeps the floors of the Doctor's room--she wonders what's under the bed. There are smells.
We might get a poem from the perspective of a local pharmacist or perhaps a woman that catches the fancy of a young man with steel-blue eyes and a charming demeanor.
One of my favorite poems was told as Chicago itself, personified, after it had burned to the ground.
As I turned the pages, one thing stayed in the back of mind and that was how incredibly impressed I was with the amount of research that clearly went into this work. There are physical descriptions, dates, names, growing intensity, and patterns that I'm sure was quite likely close to reality.
Holmes' had built this "Murder Castle" and I believe Sara had to fill in some missing pieces to the puzzle but she managed to bring to life this depraved fantasy of a madman! Again I stress, this is very impressive work.
One thing I really feel like I need to say is that Sara gave H. H. Holmes such a distinct personality and voice, I felt like I yearned for more--a full novel. I could read this story in explicit detail and more in a storytelling format rather than poetry. But that's just because I'm a horror fiction lover and I'm new to the world of dark poetry. There's nothing lacking here. This is totally perfect just the way it is. I'm just greedy.
Recommend for fans of True Crime, Murder, Serial Killers, Grisly Deeds, Historical Fiction and Amazing Poetry.
This poetry collection won a Bram Stoker in 2018
These poems are based on "America's First Serial Killer" H. H. Holmes. If you haven't read, The Devil in the White City (a historical fiction novel by Erik Larson about Holmes, I highly recommend it as I believe that book only enhanced my reading of this collection)
Lastly, this book was included in the Night Worms package, "Feasting on Horror" November 2019 (and I am a co-owner). I was excited to buy this horror poetry collection for myself and so was Ashley, we're both big fans of Sara's after reading LOVE FOR SLAUGHTER and TO BE DEVOURED so we decided to include it for all the Worms out there.
Reading these poems was such an experience! Sara walks her readers through a timeline in history--each poem serves a purpose. The poem might be told as though we are a fly on the wall in a room observing events. It might be told through the eyes of a housekeeper who sweeps the floors of the Doctor's room--she wonders what's under the bed. There are smells.
We might get a poem from the perspective of a local pharmacist or perhaps a woman that catches the fancy of a young man with steel-blue eyes and a charming demeanor.
One of my favorite poems was told as Chicago itself, personified, after it had burned to the ground.
As I turned the pages, one thing stayed in the back of mind and that was how incredibly impressed I was with the amount of research that clearly went into this work. There are physical descriptions, dates, names, growing intensity, and patterns that I'm sure was quite likely close to reality.
Holmes' had built this "Murder Castle" and I believe Sara had to fill in some missing pieces to the puzzle but she managed to bring to life this depraved fantasy of a madman! Again I stress, this is very impressive work.
One thing I really feel like I need to say is that Sara gave H. H. Holmes such a distinct personality and voice, I felt like I yearned for more--a full novel. I could read this story in explicit detail and more in a storytelling format rather than poetry. But that's just because I'm a horror fiction lover and I'm new to the world of dark poetry. There's nothing lacking here. This is totally perfect just the way it is. I'm just greedy.
Recommend for fans of True Crime, Murder, Serial Killers, Grisly Deeds, Historical Fiction and Amazing Poetry.
"I am / your American serial killer, wrapped up / in 19th century shreds of screaming women."
I adore Sara Tantlinger's poetry, and I am intrigued by the story of HH Holmes, so I knew The Devil's Dreamland was going to be perfect for me as soon as I heard about it. I started it as soon as it arrived, and it quickly became one of my favorite books I've read this year.
Sara's research was so in-depth, and you can see the love she had for this project poured out into the pages. Although the poems have a fictional twist, they are organized by chronological events, and the book tells HH Holmes' full life story. I loved that it was set up in this way, and it was like reading a fictional novel about a true crime story told through poems.
I loved that so many poems were from different points of view - you are not in Holmes' head the entire time. Some of them are focused on the people and things around him, and Sara did an amazing job at weaving together as complete of a story on Holmes as possible.
There are all sorts of different emotions here - this poems are so grim and gory, but some of them are amusing, some are sad, angry, hopeful, etc. A range of emotions is covered within this book, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
Some of the poems are so lyrical that I could see this as a musical (and it would be the best musical ever). It's so easy to get invested in what's going on, and this real-life horror story is told so beautifully.
It was so hard to narrow down my top 5, but here they are: Metamorphosis, Push, The Devil's Dreamland, Unblessed Excavation, and In the Castle's Heart, You Die. These are the ones that will haunt me the most from this book.
I think this book would be perfect for true crime, horror, and poetry fans. Even if you're only a fan of one, get The Devil's Dreamland so you can enjoy the other two (I love all three). I was both entertained and unsettled by this book, and I already want to read it again.
I adore Sara Tantlinger's poetry, and I am intrigued by the story of HH Holmes, so I knew The Devil's Dreamland was going to be perfect for me as soon as I heard about it. I started it as soon as it arrived, and it quickly became one of my favorite books I've read this year.
Sara's research was so in-depth, and you can see the love she had for this project poured out into the pages. Although the poems have a fictional twist, they are organized by chronological events, and the book tells HH Holmes' full life story. I loved that it was set up in this way, and it was like reading a fictional novel about a true crime story told through poems.
I loved that so many poems were from different points of view - you are not in Holmes' head the entire time. Some of them are focused on the people and things around him, and Sara did an amazing job at weaving together as complete of a story on Holmes as possible.
There are all sorts of different emotions here - this poems are so grim and gory, but some of them are amusing, some are sad, angry, hopeful, etc. A range of emotions is covered within this book, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
Some of the poems are so lyrical that I could see this as a musical (and it would be the best musical ever). It's so easy to get invested in what's going on, and this real-life horror story is told so beautifully.
It was so hard to narrow down my top 5, but here they are: Metamorphosis, Push, The Devil's Dreamland, Unblessed Excavation, and In the Castle's Heart, You Die. These are the ones that will haunt me the most from this book.
I think this book would be perfect for true crime, horror, and poetry fans. Even if you're only a fan of one, get The Devil's Dreamland so you can enjoy the other two (I love all three). I was both entertained and unsettled by this book, and I already want to read it again.
Can all true crime books also have a poetry edition? I need more!! If you are interested in horror/true crime but arent sure about poetry, READ THIS and you'll instantly be hooked.
dark
informative
fast-paced
Thank you so much, Sara Tantlinger, for providing me with a review copy of The Devil’s Dreamland!
This collection of poetry is inspired by serial killer, H.H. Holmes. & that right there is probably why I was so ecstatic to read it. I have a bachelor’s degree in Psychology & had a heavy emphasis on studying the mind of serial killers. For those who are unaware of H.H. Holmes, he is considered to be America’s first serial killer & committed most of his heinous crimes in what is deemed to be the ‘Murder Castle’ in Chicago, Illinois.
It’s clear that Sara Tantlinger spent a lot of time doing her research & I definitely give her a lot of props for that. I could only imagine how difficult it would be to spend that much time in the mind of H.H. Holmes. A majority of the poetry is actually written in his point-of-view, which adds points to the uncomfortable factor of this poetry collection.
& with that point being made, there are several disturbing and uncomfortable scenes in this collection, but could you expect anything less? I mean, after all the entire thing is inspired by H.H. Holmes. Major props to you, Sara, for actually making me cringe due to being so uncomfortable while reading this. Sara completely nailed it, in terms of placing you within the events of H.H. Holmes’ life. I felt as if I was actually witnessing everything as it unfolded. All of his life events were even ordered in chronological order; meaning, we witness H.H. Homes’ birth, life, death & even afterlife.
Although, I have a review e-copy of The Devil’s Dreamland, I intend on buying a physical copy for my book collection — because, listen, it’s a NEED. I feel like not only did I get a good & frightful read, but I even gained more knowledge on one of America’s most notorious serial killers. I strongly recommend this for both readers of horror & those who find interest in the mind.
This collection of poetry is inspired by serial killer, H.H. Holmes. & that right there is probably why I was so ecstatic to read it. I have a bachelor’s degree in Psychology & had a heavy emphasis on studying the mind of serial killers. For those who are unaware of H.H. Holmes, he is considered to be America’s first serial killer & committed most of his heinous crimes in what is deemed to be the ‘Murder Castle’ in Chicago, Illinois.
It’s clear that Sara Tantlinger spent a lot of time doing her research & I definitely give her a lot of props for that. I could only imagine how difficult it would be to spend that much time in the mind of H.H. Holmes. A majority of the poetry is actually written in his point-of-view, which adds points to the uncomfortable factor of this poetry collection.
& with that point being made, there are several disturbing and uncomfortable scenes in this collection, but could you expect anything less? I mean, after all the entire thing is inspired by H.H. Holmes. Major props to you, Sara, for actually making me cringe due to being so uncomfortable while reading this. Sara completely nailed it, in terms of placing you within the events of H.H. Holmes’ life. I felt as if I was actually witnessing everything as it unfolded. All of his life events were even ordered in chronological order; meaning, we witness H.H. Homes’ birth, life, death & even afterlife.
Although, I have a review e-copy of The Devil’s Dreamland, I intend on buying a physical copy for my book collection — because, listen, it’s a NEED. I feel like not only did I get a good & frightful read, but I even gained more knowledge on one of America’s most notorious serial killers. I strongly recommend this for both readers of horror & those who find interest in the mind.
All. The. Stars. Amazing poetry collection surrounding HH Holmes.
I have always been fascinated with books, documentaries, and tv shows dealing with true crime, especially those centered around serial killers. Last year, I watched a Netflix documentary on H.H Holmes, and just before I learned of Tantlinger's book, I was already listening to a podcast series on H.H. Holmes. Why are my viewing and listening habits relevant? Because it made my reading experience so wonderful as I saw Tantlinger creatively weave gristly true crime details into her poetry. Even if I hadn't had all of that background knowledge, I still would've appreciated this skill, but it did make a difference for me.
So. Poetry. It never has been my "go to" genre. I studied it when I had to in undergrad and graduate school. I have a few favorites that I teach when it is appropriate. But I've never looked at a book of poetry and said "oooh, yes please"...until I saw this book.
If you are like me, and poetry isn't your jam - consider giving this a try. Tantlinger plays with form and substance. Some of the poems are sparse and chilling, others are more prose-like, and ALL of them are accessible and engrossing.
These pieces look at Holmes' life from all angles. Most of them are chronological and one of my favorite things about this read is the focus on having people other than Holmes provide some of the POVs. We hear from his mother (man I loved that poem), Holmes, a few victims, a 3rd person narrator, the "Murder Castle", and his accomplice (well, if he can be called that) has a section. The levels of research and scholarship that must have gone into this collection are at once readily evident, yet the information is expertly woven into the poems. The result is being able to grab onto those details of HH Holmes and his crimes easily, without breaking that trance of sorts that comes with a great read. This is historical fiction (or historical horror) at its very best.
I may not be a poetry fan yet, but I sure am a Tantlinger poetry fan now. In fact, I will be reading her other poetry collection "Love For Slaughter" as my first book in January of 2019. And I cannot wait to get back into her brain.
I have always been fascinated with books, documentaries, and tv shows dealing with true crime, especially those centered around serial killers. Last year, I watched a Netflix documentary on H.H Holmes, and just before I learned of Tantlinger's book, I was already listening to a podcast series on H.H. Holmes. Why are my viewing and listening habits relevant? Because it made my reading experience so wonderful as I saw Tantlinger creatively weave gristly true crime details into her poetry. Even if I hadn't had all of that background knowledge, I still would've appreciated this skill, but it did make a difference for me.
So. Poetry. It never has been my "go to" genre. I studied it when I had to in undergrad and graduate school. I have a few favorites that I teach when it is appropriate. But I've never looked at a book of poetry and said "oooh, yes please"...until I saw this book.
If you are like me, and poetry isn't your jam - consider giving this a try. Tantlinger plays with form and substance. Some of the poems are sparse and chilling, others are more prose-like, and ALL of them are accessible and engrossing.
These pieces look at Holmes' life from all angles. Most of them are chronological and one of my favorite things about this read is the focus on having people other than Holmes provide some of the POVs. We hear from his mother (man I loved that poem), Holmes, a few victims, a 3rd person narrator, the "Murder Castle", and his accomplice (well, if he can be called that) has a section. The levels of research and scholarship that must have gone into this collection are at once readily evident, yet the information is expertly woven into the poems. The result is being able to grab onto those details of HH Holmes and his crimes easily, without breaking that trance of sorts that comes with a great read. This is historical fiction (or historical horror) at its very best.
I may not be a poetry fan yet, but I sure am a Tantlinger poetry fan now. In fact, I will be reading her other poetry collection "Love For Slaughter" as my first book in January of 2019. And I cannot wait to get back into her brain.