Devil in the White City is a historical nonfiction book written by Erik Larson and tells the story of the 1893 Chicago Worlds fair. Larson is well known for his historical nonfiction writings and audio novellas. The story is told in the form of a narrative where readers uncover the story of H.H. Holmes, a notorious serial killer who used the fair to lure victims to their deaths, while also learning about the fair’s monumental achievements. Larson’s purpose for writing this book is to relate the terrifying story of a man who used the fair as his hunting field and to examine how one of America's most well-known displays came to be. I chose this book because I enjoy watching true crime and murder mystery shows and was intrigued to learn about …show more content…
For Holmes, the fair was not a celebration of human achievement but an opportunity to satisfy his monstrous desires, to lure innocent victims into his world of death and horror." For example, Larson skips over the social and psychological aspects that could have had a role in Holmes's capacity to control and kill his victims. It may be argued that Larson's portrayal of Holmes reduces him to a simple villain by concentrating only on his criminal activity, ignoring the intricate web of circumstances that made it possible for his crimes to remain undiscovered for so long. The Devil in the White City is an intriguing and thoroughly researched narrative about a significant period in American history. Larson gives readers an unsettling look at the darker side of human nature and the difficulties of progress by contrasting the luxurious surroundings of the 1893 World's Fair with the gory crimes of H.H. Holmes. This book teaches readers not just about the fair's historical significance, but also about the coexistence of ambition, creativity, and moral failure. I would recommend this book to someone who has time to read and understand the book because it was confusing to