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by Erik Larson
In a word (or two or three): look, it's the alienist in chicago!
From Mr. Hipster:
I swear I've read like fifty books set
at the Chicago World's Fair. Whether the fair plays a central role,
or is just mentioned in the text, it seems to be one of those magical
literary locations and times that authors love. With this book it
is the central character in many respects. The two parallel stories,
that of the architects who built it and the serial killer who skirted
around its edges, are bookended by the opening ceremonies and the
closing ceremonies that weren't. The fair becomes a living, breathing
thing that affects everyone it touches, and inspires amazing courage
and dedication, but also the most evil, base actions one can imagine.
The most fascinating part, of course, is that this is a non-fiction
story. Larson tells in such a way that one might not think this the
case. He teases and hints at things to come, telling the story in
a linear fashion that is somehow also circular and ever enveloping.
It's like one of those Russian dolls. It's an eye-opener about how
small the U.S. once was--how provincial and innocent. It's an interesting
study in the evolution of patriotism and civic pride. It is also a
study of architecture and even investigative techniques, of which
there were very few. It really puts into perspective just how far
we've truly come in just one hundred years. It's a tale that is innovative
and historical, but ultimately sad. Just as the fair burned and crumbled
to dust after its closing, I was left with the sense that most of
those associated with the Fair did not in fact end up with happiness
or longevity. The book left me slightly depressed. It's like a deflated
balloon, at one point vibrant and fun, and now shriveled, discarded
and forgotten. The citizens of Chicago didn't want to see the magnificent
buildings of their beloved Fair fall into disrepair and become the
dumping grounds for all matter of thing, so they decided they wanted
to burn it in one blaze of glory. If only history could be so easy
to gloss over.
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