A little over a year ago I left the balmy southern United States for the snowy Midwest, Chicago suburbs to be specific, so, this book quickly climbed to the top of my “to read” pile. How could I live here and not tackle Larson’s fantastic telling of such a pivotal point in the city’s history? I knew I had made the correct choice when I found no less than seven copies at my local library. Definite move toward further acclimation to my new home, though I will always be southern at heart. But I digress.
I am not an eager non-fiction reader. I wish I was, but it’s usually like taking my medicine: I know it’s good for me, but it struggles to be palatable. But Larson is possibly the best I have ever read outside of Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood.” The way he simultaneously wove together the creation of the World’s Fair in Chicago, and the horrific violence of serial killer H.H. Holmes is masterful. Both stories build simultaneously, and definitely keep you engaged. I found his writing to be excellent, and was moved to ready many passages out loud to my partner. To pardon the cliche, he really was able to make history come alive.
He also his deft and peppering in little historical tidbits that just make for fun trivia on top of the complexities of the story. It is at times amazing to realize that this IS non-fiction because it reads as fiction, both because of his skill, but also because of the sheer absurdity, especially regarding Holmes’ murder house. I’ve heard that this novel will be getting a film adaptation, and I am very curious as to how it will be adapted, be it the whole tale, or just the Holmes story.
I recommend this read to just about anyone, it is well-written, compelling, entertaining AND at the end you can pat yourself on the back for reading non-fiction. What more can you want?