76 pages • 2 hours read
Erik LarsonA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read Beta
Summary
Prologue
Part 1, Chapters 1-3
Part 1, Chapters 4-6
Part 1, Chapters 7-10
Part 2, Chapters 1-3
Part 2, Chapters 4-6
Part 2, Chapters 7-9
Part 2, Chapters 10-12
Part 2, Chapters 13-15
Part 3, Chapters 1-3
Part 3, Chapters 4-6
Part 3, Chapters 7-9
Part 3, Chapters 10-12
Part 3, Chapters 13-15
Part 3, Chapters 16-19
Part 3, Chapters 20-22
Part 4, Chapter 1
Part 4, Chapters 2-4
Part 4, Chapters 5-6
Epilogue
Key Figures
Themes
Symbols & Motifs
Important Quotes
Essay Topics
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson intertwines the narratives of Daniel Hudson Burnham, the architect of the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, and H. H. Holmes, a serial killer who used the fair to lure victims into his "Murder Castle." The book explores themes like sanity versus insanity, anonymity in urban environments, contemporary gender roles, and the contrasting collaborative nature of Burnham's work with Holmes' isolation during their intertwined trajectories at the historical fair. The book contains graphic descriptions of violence, murder, and systemic manipulation.
Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City is praised for its intricate weaving of historical detail and captivating storytelling, blending the 1893 Chicago World's Fair with a chilling true crime narrative. Critics commend its meticulous research and engaging prose, though some find its dual narrative occasionally disjointed. Overall, it’s a compelling read for history buffs and true crime enthusiasts alike.
Readers who enjoy richly detailed narrative non-fiction blending historical events with true crime will find The Devil in the White City captivating. Fans of Ron Chernow's Alexander Hamilton or David Grann's Killers of the Flower Moon will appreciate Larson's meticulous research and storytelling.
Lexile Level
1170LCrime / Legal
History: U.S.
History: World
Mystery / Crime Fiction
Biography