The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson is a meticulously researched nonfiction book that captures the magic of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and the darkness of serial killer H.H. Holmes. The book intercuts chapters about the fair's construction and Holmes' crimes, providing a fascinating and sometimes disturbing look at the era.
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson is a meticulously researched nonfiction book that captures the magic of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and the darkness of serial killer H.H. Holmes. The book intercuts chapters about the fair's construction and Holmes' crimes, providing a fascinating and sometimes disturbing look at the era. The reviewer was initially drawn to the book by the serial killer angle but ended up being just as engrossed in the descriptions of how the World's Fair came together. The book highlights the experiences of Director of Works Daniel Burnham, who oversaw the design and construction of the fair during a stressful, hectic, high-pressure time. The reviewer found the book to be very dark at times but ultimately fascinating, with Larson steering clear of being graphic or gratuitous. The reviewer also appreciated Larson's use of personal letters, court transcripts, meeting notes, news articles, and interviews to unfurl the story of the World's Fair and Holmes' crimes in a style that feels almost novelistic at times.
Quick quotes
The book unfolds primarily with intercutting chapters about what’s happening with the World’s Fair versus what’s happening with Holmes as he constructs his own building full of peculiar corridors, soundproof rooms, and traps… and then carries out his own dark plans.
This was during a day and age when people just didn’t ask questions like they do today. There was little city or government oversight into citizen’s activities.
Larson clearly did a lot of research to write this book. He used personal letters, court transcripts, meeting notes, news articles and interviews, and journals to unfurl the story of the World’s Fair and Holmes’s crimes in a style that feels almost novelistic at times.