The Devil in White City by Erik Larson
(Format used for this read: Print–hardback AND FROM THE LIBRARY WHICH IS THE BEST KIND OF BOOK!)
In my monthly book club we try to alternate genres when we make our selections each month.
Quite a few ladies really enjoy mysteries/thrillers/murder stories (I am NOT one of them 🤣) and it had been awhile since we read one in that category.
After talking about a few titles that seemed super creepy to me and two others (we are the bona fide scaredy cats of the group🤣) I remembered a few friends of mine recommending this book.
I suggested it…we read the summary…and we decided to read it.
Mannnnnn am I regretting making THAT shitty suggestion.
Here is a super short summary:
“Bringing Chicago circa 1893 to vivid life, Erik Larson’s spellbinding 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.”
Yallll…this book moved TERRIBLY slow for many chapters and I STRUGGLED to get thru it.
It is an interesting concept to go back and forth between the architectural process of the Fair and the story of the serial killer who capitalized on the enviornment of the fair…
but when it says the author had “meticulous research”…
THEY WERE NOT LYING.
YALLL…..
So. Many. Details. About. Buildings.
SO. MANY.
While history in and of itself DOES interest me, I gotta say that how structures and buildings are created realllly does NOT.
AT ALL.
If you are an architect or are a person who is fascinated by architecture…you will LOVE those parts of the book.
But I myself am 100 percent NOT.
Like I said above I am a certified scaredy cat and also do NOT like to read about psychopaths murdering women in gas chambers…ESPECIALLY if that psychopath was a real live person and not a fictional character!
EEEEWWWWWWWWWW NO THANK YOU.
Even though I do not like that mess I will say those chapters were a tad more interesting to read than the ones on all the building stuff.
I think I can safely say I did NOT like this book.
I did learn a few historical facts along the way…the history of the Ferris Wheel, various modern inventions that had their debut at the Fair…so all was not lost.
(Y’all know I do like to learn new things when I read)
If you like architecture and scary murderers, then this book is for you.
If you are like me and neither of those things sounds appealing, then STAY AWAY.
Far away, yall.