Immediately, the novel begins with world-renouned architect Daniel Hudson Burnham traveling aboard the R.M.S. Olympic in the prologue. Through inference, the reader learns the the Olympic is the sister ship of the Titanic, and that this day is the very day that the Titanic sinks tragically. We learn that Burnham's close friend, Francis Millet, is aboard the Titanic, and Burnham's attempt to contact him is unsuccessful for reasons unknown to him. As Burnham returns to his room, he opens his diary and the 1893 Chicago World's Fair floods back to him as clear as day.
As the city of Chicago is described during the time leading up to the World's Fair, it becomes clear that it truly was a "black city." The crime rates are rapidly increasing and the level of morals is dropping just as rapidly. For some reason there is an influx of young women to the Chicago area. The rapid rate of murders and disappearances is shocking and the culture of parts of the city is becoming dangerous. The very first line of the actual story is one that sent chills up my own spine as I read it: "How easy it was to disappear" (Larson 11). Almost instantly the Erik Larson sets the tone for the entire story as a novel concerning shady disappearances and even serial killing. The end of the first chapter ends, fittingly, with the entrance of, "a young handsome doctor...[who] entered a world of clamor, smoke and steam, refulgent with the scents of murdered cattle and pigs. He found it to his liking" (Larson 12). This devilish man we later learn to be known as H.H. Holmes, the other focal character of the novel, alongside Burnham.
The similarities and differences between the two main characters, Burnham and Holmes, are clearly illustrated by the author throughout the beginning portion of the novel. Daniel Burnham is the 43 year old talented architect who is assigned the herculean task of controlling the design of the Chicago World's Fair, alongside his partner, John Root. While Burnham may not have the prestigious educational background that some of the other well known architects possess, he does have the pride and determination to tackle the enormous task presented before him. While he is a very skilled architect himself, Burnham generally handles the business aspects of his company, as well as customer relations, and he leaves more of the structural designs to Root. Contrary to Burnham's desire to do great things for the city of Chicago and to better the world around him, Dr. H.H. Holmes possess a more cynical outlook on life. From the early stages of his life, Holmes exhibits the warning signs that he will become a serial killer, including being present at the "accidental" death of a childhood friend. As he grows up, he moves all around the country before being hired by Mrs. Holton, the aging owner of a pharmacy, who shortly disappears. As he takes control of the drugstore and buys more and more property, Holmes notably gets unnatural attention from female customers, much to the dismay of his wife. He has a bizarre, yet well thought out plan of building his new building that appears to hold sinister purposes still unknown to the reader. While much about H.H Holmes is still unknown at this point, it is clear that he is a shady individual who will certainly be playing a major role in the novel as it progresses.
From what we know about the two main individuals in the story thus far, you can clearly tell that they differ when it comes to morals and what they believe in. However, these two men do share one characteristic that sets them apart from others around them: their commitment to what they set their mind to. Obviously both of these men are extremely determined to achieve whatever goals they set for themselves. Whether it is Daniel Burnham setting out to build the greatest World's Fair ever, or it is H.H. Holmes who is determined to be a serial killer and build his mysterious building in order to perform his devious actions, both men can and likely will accomplish what they mean to because of their determination and their pride. Given how much drive these two individuals have, I am personally curious to what will happen if and when their lives intertwine. Thinking about all of the possible things that could go wrong if these two men's paths cross is definitely an intriguing thought. The possibilities are seemingly endless and it will push me to continue reading to see if anyone important will begin to disappear.
As the city of Chicago is described during the time leading up to the World's Fair, it becomes clear that it truly was a "black city." The crime rates are rapidly increasing and the level of morals is dropping just as rapidly. For some reason there is an influx of young women to the Chicago area. The rapid rate of murders and disappearances is shocking and the culture of parts of the city is becoming dangerous. The very first line of the actual story is one that sent chills up my own spine as I read it: "How easy it was to disappear" (Larson 11). Almost instantly the Erik Larson sets the tone for the entire story as a novel concerning shady disappearances and even serial killing. The end of the first chapter ends, fittingly, with the entrance of, "a young handsome doctor...[who] entered a world of clamor, smoke and steam, refulgent with the scents of murdered cattle and pigs. He found it to his liking" (Larson 12). This devilish man we later learn to be known as H.H. Holmes, the other focal character of the novel, alongside Burnham.
The similarities and differences between the two main characters, Burnham and Holmes, are clearly illustrated by the author throughout the beginning portion of the novel. Daniel Burnham is the 43 year old talented architect who is assigned the herculean task of controlling the design of the Chicago World's Fair, alongside his partner, John Root. While Burnham may not have the prestigious educational background that some of the other well known architects possess, he does have the pride and determination to tackle the enormous task presented before him. While he is a very skilled architect himself, Burnham generally handles the business aspects of his company, as well as customer relations, and he leaves more of the structural designs to Root. Contrary to Burnham's desire to do great things for the city of Chicago and to better the world around him, Dr. H.H. Holmes possess a more cynical outlook on life. From the early stages of his life, Holmes exhibits the warning signs that he will become a serial killer, including being present at the "accidental" death of a childhood friend. As he grows up, he moves all around the country before being hired by Mrs. Holton, the aging owner of a pharmacy, who shortly disappears. As he takes control of the drugstore and buys more and more property, Holmes notably gets unnatural attention from female customers, much to the dismay of his wife. He has a bizarre, yet well thought out plan of building his new building that appears to hold sinister purposes still unknown to the reader. While much about H.H Holmes is still unknown at this point, it is clear that he is a shady individual who will certainly be playing a major role in the novel as it progresses.
From what we know about the two main individuals in the story thus far, you can clearly tell that they differ when it comes to morals and what they believe in. However, these two men do share one characteristic that sets them apart from others around them: their commitment to what they set their mind to. Obviously both of these men are extremely determined to achieve whatever goals they set for themselves. Whether it is Daniel Burnham setting out to build the greatest World's Fair ever, or it is H.H. Holmes who is determined to be a serial killer and build his mysterious building in order to perform his devious actions, both men can and likely will accomplish what they mean to because of their determination and their pride. Given how much drive these two individuals have, I am personally curious to what will happen if and when their lives intertwine. Thinking about all of the possible things that could go wrong if these two men's paths cross is definitely an intriguing thought. The possibilities are seemingly endless and it will push me to continue reading to see if anyone important will begin to disappear.