The Reader’s Advisory Matrix
Book: The Devil in the
White City: Murder Magic and Madness
as the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson
1.)
Where is the book on the narrative continuum?
A mix (combines highly narrative moment with periods of fact-based
prose)
2.)
What is the subject of the book?
History - History of the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, IL
and the famous serial killer Herman W. Mudgett, a.k.a. H. H. Holmes.
3.)
What type of book is it?
Biography of H. H. Holmes and narrative nonfiction of the
1893 World’s Fair.
4.)
Articulate Appeal
What
is the pacing of the book?
Leisurely paced
Describe
the characters of the book.
The book is split between two main characters, H. H.
Holmes and Daniel Burnham. Holmes is a loveable con man that moved to Chicago to
fulfill his desire to secretly be a murderer. Daniel Burnham was one of the
leading architects that help create and build the 1893 World’s Fair.
How
does the story feel?
Informative, detailed, dark, and troublesome.
That
is the intent of the author?
To tie together one of the largest celebrations the
United States has ever seen with one of the most notorious serial killers in
U.S. history.
Does
the language matter?
No
Is the
setting important and well described?
Yes.
Are
there details and, if so, of what?
Details include the planning of the worlds fair as the architects
envisioned it, and how the fair was actually completed. This detail also goes
into how Holmes was able to use the fair to his advantage when looking for
victims.
Are there
sufficient charts and other graphic materials? Are they useful and clear?
There are black and white pictures included in the book.
They are more interesting than useful; but they are clear photos.
Does
the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience?
Learning and understanding, yes. Learning through describing
the methods and tasks included in creating a fair as large as this.
Understanding through the historical context described through the life of Holmes
and Burnham.
5.
What would a reader enjoy this book (rank appeal)?
1.) Setting
2.) Detail
3.) Character type
This sounds super intriguing. Not surprising, since serial killers tend to intrigue me. ;) I will definitely need to look into adding this to my tbr list. I have not heard of a biography combining two people before. That seems an interesting concept, for sure.
ReplyDeleteLarson really tries to tie everything together to create this big picture about what was going on during the 1893 World's Fair. Therefore he talks about a lot of different people but the two main men where Holmes and Burnham. They really made the fair what it was, on the good side and the bad.
DeleteSydney,
ReplyDeleteThis is one nonfiction book I've only recently heard about even though it has been around for years. It seems interesting, especially the different perspectives.
It reads like your are switching characters each chapter. One focused on Holmes and the next on Burnham and the Fair. I know some people don't like that but it really paints the picture of the whole timeline of events.
DeleteI LOVED this book. Such a good mix of Chicago history and the serial killer HH Holmes. I’m very, very excited to see the movie (or TV series??) with Leo DiCaprio!
ReplyDeleteI've been waiting years for it! I can't wait!
DeleteExcellent job fleshing this book out to fill this! It helps add on a whole new dimension not always covered in the summary! Full points!
ReplyDelete