Wanda B. (wandagirl) reviewed The Devil in the White City : Murder, Magic, Madness, and the Fair that Changed America on + 41 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is quite an interesting book from many aspects. Characters are carefully created and many are based on fact. The time setting is true and Larson gives nice details which lend the reader to the feeling of "being there". I learned much I did not know about Chicago and the Fair and the people of the time as well as the state of our country and the world. Brought together with mystery....This is a good one. :)
Diane W. (evercurious) reviewed The Devil in the White City : Murder, Magic, Madness, and the Fair that Changed America on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is one of my favorite books of all time. It is a true story, but reads like a novel.
The happier part of the story is about the Chicago World's Fair in the 1890s, a fascinating extravaganza to show the world that Chicago was as sophisticated as New York or Paris. The White City was a cutting-edge product of the best then available in electric lighting, landscaping and design. It also featured the first Ferris Wheel, something more akin to the London Eye than to your average amusement park Ferris Wheel.
(My grandfather attended this fair and told me about it when I was about 13 years old and he was at least 90, so I had a huge curiosity about it. )
The sinister side of this story is also true, and unfolds like a horror story. I will not go into it, but if you are fond of true crime, this will definitely hold your attention!
The happier part of the story is about the Chicago World's Fair in the 1890s, a fascinating extravaganza to show the world that Chicago was as sophisticated as New York or Paris. The White City was a cutting-edge product of the best then available in electric lighting, landscaping and design. It also featured the first Ferris Wheel, something more akin to the London Eye than to your average amusement park Ferris Wheel.
(My grandfather attended this fair and told me about it when I was about 13 years old and he was at least 90, so I had a huge curiosity about it. )
The sinister side of this story is also true, and unfolds like a horror story. I will not go into it, but if you are fond of true crime, this will definitely hold your attention!
RP D. reviewed The Devil in the White City : Murder, Magic, Madness, and the Fair that Changed America on
I got this because I had a long drive and everyone recommended the book. It was very entertaining and well narrated. I haven't read the book so I'm not sure how much of it was abridged, it seemed complete to me.
Heidi A. reviewed The Devil in the White City : Murder, Magic, Madness, and the Fair that Changed America on + 7 more book reviews
This book jumps back and forth between two story lines that are happening at the same time and in the same place. I found it a bit confusing at times to keep up with the characters in both.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was an interesting historical novel. A little gruesome in places, but not overly so.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was an interesting historical novel. A little gruesome in places, but not overly so.
Jennifer C. reviewed The Devil in the White City : Murder, Magic, Madness, and the Fair that Changed America on + 9 more book reviews
Fascinating.
jjares reviewed The Devil in the White City : Murder, Magic, Madness, and the Fair that Changed America on + 3429 more book reviews
This book was a National Book Award finalist and an Edgar Award winner. Perhaps my understanding of the book is colored by the fact that I listened to the book (a talking book). The jumps between the antics of Dr. Holmes and the building of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair didn't bother me. Others mentioned that this was very disconcerting.
I thought the writing was tight and concise. There were times when I would have liked to have had a bit more detail. However, this is a worthwhile book to read.
I thought the writing was tight and concise. There were times when I would have liked to have had a bit more detail. However, this is a worthwhile book to read.
