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I'll go ahead and start with answering question 1. I think that it was really smart to tell the two stories together. I thought that I wouldn't really enjoy Burnham's side of the story so much but I find myself really getting into both parts of the narrative.
@septcabride:Haha well you might as well jump on in here too then ;)
I've read the entire book so I'll try to be careful that I don't spoil anything from Part II. I really enjoyed this book and spent many late nights "reading just one more chapter" before going to sleep. I was definitely drawn in to the multiple story lines and also knowing that the book (for the most part) is historically accurate. I tend to be a medical/science/mystery book reader so Holmes' story is more like my typical bread and butter but it was also amazing reading about how much time and effort and difficulties went into planning and building and holding the World Fair.
1. Why do you think Erik Larson chose to tell Burnham and Holmes' stories together? How did the juxtaposition affect the narrative? Do you think they worked well together or would you have preferred to read about just Holmes or just Burnham?
I do think the juxtaposition of Holmes and Burnham worked well together. I think the multiple story lines helped keep the book flowing for readers (like me) who are outside of their typical genre. I think I'd have had a much harder time getting into the book if it was entirely Burnham's story.
I thought it was interesting to see how two contemporaries who were so opposite from each other where operating in such close proximity at the same time. Much of both of their successes (if you considering getting away with crimes a success) was influenced by the mentalities and systems within Chicago at the time. I think if you transplanted either of them into the present day society, they wouldn't have been able to function and suceed in quite the same manner.
2. Do you think a fair of this size could happen in today's America? What advantages or disadvantages can you forsee with such a project?
I don't think that there would be enough interest for people to attend such a fair in present day America. When the world is so much more connected than ever before and people can more easily travel and see the real thing, why go see an imitation at a fair. Fairs are viewed as much for goofy / cheesy kind of activities now.
I also don't think there is nearly the mentality amoung citizens and cities now that Chicago had at the time of wanting to prove their standing as a city to be able to gain the necessary support for the time and financing it would require for such an endeavor.
3. What do you think of the book so far? Is there anything in particular that you've found most interesting?
I found the book to be very interesting. I think what amazes me the most is how much Holmes was able to get away with. It seems like no one was ever willing to take more than a cursory look at him whenever anything happend! People didn't typically try hard to get dets re-payed and everyone seemed to be willing to take this handsome, unknown guy on his word over and over and over again.
I LOVED the book! Personally, I have background in architecture, so reading about Burnham, Sullivan, and so many other "big" names of that era in architecture was like reading a private diary in a way. It was fascinating to me. *Sidenote, if you loved this book, pick up Loving Frank, incredible.*
Back to the questions:
1.Why do you think Erik Larson chose to tell Burnham and Holmes' stories together? How did the juxtaposition affect the narrative? Do you think they worked well together or would you have preferred to read about just Holmes or just Burnham?
I found it fascinating, the way the two lead characters used architecture in such different ways to mold people's experience of a space; Burnham working so hard to create a kind of "utopia" and Holmes to create a false sense of security/normality in his hotel. It was almost frustrating to read how one man was having so much trouble building this idealized exposition, and how the other was having no problem swindling people left right and centre to build his idealized torture chamber.
I wished Larson would have described a bit more about Holmes' hotel though and the way the floor plan was created and built. DH said he watched a fascinating documentary on it, I'm going to try to find it.
2. Do you think a fair of this size could happen in today's America? What advantages or disadvantages can you forsee with such a project?
No, I don't think this would work as well today. First, think that people are so mobile that the amount of infrastructure the venue would need to create just to support the volume of visitors would be unfeasible. Secondly, I think architecture itself has reached such heights even with the construction of spectacular hotels, office buildings, and resorts, I think it would be hard to come up with something so outstanding or unique that it would really "wow" visitors. Technology is changing at such a rapid pace, I think it would be nearly impossible to come up with a novel or original product or technology to launch (never mind buildings full of them) that would really be shocking and unprecedented to the public.
There also really isn't a need to bring "the world to you", it's so easy for everyone to travel today, pick up a National Geographic, watch a video or documentary. The amount of information out there would make world villages seem like Epcot at Disney (gee wonder where he got that idea) rather than a fascinating, unseen glimpse of other corners of the world.
I wish I could have seen something like this though! It sounds AMAZING!
3. What do you think of the book so far? Is there anything in particular that you've found most interesting?
I loved the book from cover to cover. It was fascinating. I loved reading all the different innovations brought about by the fair. I can't believe how many products and concepts were created for the fair!!!!
ETA - I will definitely be waiting for the Leo movie!! Sounds amazing!
Bump ... I know there are more people doing the Book Club than this!
@Mrs.KMM: I was just thinking that! I just checked for updates too! Come on ladies! This was an awesome book, let's discuss!!!
**Spoiler Alert!!**
I'm still reading it (bought it superrr late, last weekend) and I'm seriously enjoying it more everyday! The fair is still going on where I'm at, just after the fire, and Holmes just killed Winnie and Anna. I thought it was so sad that it sad that Anna felt silly for being scared stuck in the vault. That must have been terrifying! I was reading it while I was blowdrying my hair this morning and I was seriously annoyed when my hair was done drying!
I googled pictures and the fair really looked magnificent. I wish that it was still around to see!
@Running Elley: I keep meaning to Google pictures! Thanks for the reminder!! I really wish there was something so magestic and wonderful these days (the fair, not the murdering, lol).... Such a grand presence and time!
@bakerella: I totally agree. I finished the book and now I've been a total nerd and I talk about it to almost everyone. I love just the idea of it so much.
And here are some pictures to help everyone's imaginations :)
@Running Elley: WOW!!! Thanks for posting those! It looks similar yet different to how I imagined! I thought the Woody Island and the lagoon type areas were closer to the shoreline, I didn't realize they were in the centre. It's all so magnificent!!!!
ETA: Here's a great link for more photos!
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We'd discussed splitting the books that we read up into parts to discuss so this is the first thread for Devil in the White City. In this thread we'll be discussing Part I of the book which includes the Prologue through "Alone."
I'm really enjoying this book! It's made me really interested in learning more about the World Fair and itching to visit Chicago lol. I kind of feel like an idiot because I'd never heard of any of this happening before I started reading the book. I did a little research on the book and found that Leonardo DiCaprio actually purchased the movie rights in 2010 and is set to play Holmes. I think it would make a fantastic movie and I think that DiCaprio will do a great job with it.
Here are some questions that I thought we could discuss:
1.Why do you think Erik Larson chose to tell Burnham and Holmes' stories together? How did the juxtaposition affect the narrative? Do you think they worked well together or would you have preferred to read about just Holmes or just Burnham?
2. Do you think a fair of this size could happen in today's America? What advantages or disadvantages can you forsee with such a project?
3. What do you think of the book so far? Is there anything in particular that you've found most interesting?
**Reminder** This is only a discussion of the first part of the book. Please don't include anything that could be a spoiler for Part II. Thanks :)