The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson
Summary (from the publisher): Bringing Chicago circa 1893 to vivid life, Erik Larson's spell-binding bestseller intertwines the true tale of two men--the brilliant architect behind the legendary 1893 World's Fair, striving to secure America's place in the world; and the cunning serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims to their death. Combining meticulous research with nail-biting storytelling. Erik Larson has crafted a narrative with all the wonder of newly discovered history and the thrills of the best fiction.
Review: Just an update to my earlier review from my first reading of this book in 2011. Still enjoyed this one immensely! And surprisingly remembered a good bit from the first reading. The second time around, I still found the chapters focusing on serial killer H.H. Holmes the most intriguing (and horrifying!), although I have to say the staggering details in regard to the scale and cost of the World Fair were also fascinating. The first time I read this, I read a paperback copy. This time, I switched back and forth between the eBook and the audiobook, which was well done.
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Original 2011 review:
This is the type of non-fiction that I love to read. It tells an interesting and true story in a narrative, lyrical style that reads like a novel. Larson interlaces the stories of Chicago's World Fair and architect Daniel Burnham with sinister Chicago resident and serial killer H.H. Holmes. I'd never heard/read a lot about the World Fair of 1893 or Holmes but after reading this I found myself shocked that I had not. The World Fair was a staggering achievement that saw the beginnings of consumer items from Shredded Wheat and a beer that won the blue ribbon at the fair and is still known by that achievement as Pabst Blue Ribbon. Additionally, numerous well-known figures including the world's first Ferris wheel, designed by a man by the same name and Walt Disney's father were involved in the Fair.
I do have to confess though, as interesting as the description of the fair and Burnham's efforts toward it were, I found myself racing ahead, anxious to read the chapters about Holmes. From Larson's account, he was truly a psychopath and had the ability to charm virtually everyone. Holmes constructed a "hotel" that covered as a place for him to happily gas his victims to death before disposing of their bodies. He charmed the pants and life out of so many beautiful young women that I couldn't even keep them distinct in my mind. Holmes had numerous aliases, was a pro at insurance fraud, and wasn't above murdering whole families, including little children. I found Larson's description of this charismatic devil irresistible and terribly fascinating.
The story like quality of this book was unlike anything I have ever encountered in a non-fiction book and while I loved it, I found myself wondering at the artistic liberties taken by Larson. For instance, Larson describes Holmes' arrival in Chicago saying, "As he moved through the station, the glances of young women fell around him like wind-blown petals." Larson also describes the emotions and thoughts of victims in the moments before their death. None of these descriptions can be verified as strict fact. While he describes his reasoning behind these choices in the conclusion of the book, those are still fiction-like liberties that are not in keeping with traditional non-fiction writing. However, despite my surprise at his form, I can't really take true issue with it, since it was this very lyrical and narrative style that made me love this book.
If every non-fiction book I read was this good, I would find myself hard pressed to find reasons to ever read fiction again.
Stars: 4
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