Week Twelve: Readers' Advisory Matrix

The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Mayhem at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson

1. Where is the book on the narrative continuum?
A mix (combines highly narrative moments with periods of fact-based prose) - but I found that even the fact sections were fairly narrative.

2. What is the subject of the book?
The serial killer H. H. Holmes and the creation of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.

3. What is the type of the book? True Crime

4. Articulate appeal

What is the pacing of the book? Facts are presented rapidly but the pace itself is leisurely.
Describe the characters of the book. The two separate but related narratives focus on Daniel H. Burnham, the architect heading up the construction at the Chicago World's Fair, and H. H. Holmes, the serial killer drawn to Chicago because of the promise of thousands of fair visitors to prey upon.
 
How does the story feel? Suspenseful, intriguing, disturbing, imaginative
What is the intent of the author? To present two historical accounts together in a novelistic fashion.
What is the focus of the story? The impact of the Chicago World's fair on the city, the country, and on the individual visitors who attended the fair.
 
Does the language matter? Yes 
Is the setting important and well described? The setting of the World's Fair is the key component that ties the book together. Grand sweeping descriptions and tiny trivial details are given space within the two narratives.

Are there details and, if so, of what? Extensive details about the fair's construction and exhibits, as well as personal details of both major and minor characters in each narrative.
 
Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? Are they useful and clear? Contains several pictures of fairgrounds, people and maps, although reviews of the book say the author could have included more, such as H. H. Holmes' hotel layout.
 
Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience? The entire book is a history lesson, and it attempts to convey the experiences of the characters during this time period and understanding of what life was like in 1893 in Chicago and America.

5. Why would a reader enjoy this book (rank appeal)?
1. Storyline (intricately plotted) 2. Pacing (Leisurely) 3. Tone (Dramatic/Suspenseful/Disturbing)