(no subject)
I seem to be into true crime recently, specifically historical murders, even more specifically Erik Larson and John Berendt. Though I suppose Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is more about Savannah than it is about murders.
Erik Larson, on the other hand, is definitely about murders. I will forever associate the song "They" by Jem with Dr. H. H. Holmes. For future reference, Devil in the White City is fuckin' creepy while Thunderstruck is just a bit sad. Do not read either if you have a problem with descriptions of corpses. Especially not Devil in the White City. Holmes is considered the first real American serial killer, has a record far better than Jack the Ripper (if better is really the word there; perhaps more extensive?) and was inventively disgusting about killing people. Strange, scary man.
Dr. Crippen, on the other hand, I just feel sorry for. Dude, if you're going to marry and eventually murder a harridan wannabe diva, at least just toss her in the Thames or something instead of burying her in your basement. Seriously.
But the books are made of awesome and love. Erik Larson has the most readable nonfiction style I've run across yet. I went through Thunderstruck in about a day and a half, even plowing through all those telegraph technicalites.
Erik Larson, on the other hand, is definitely about murders. I will forever associate the song "They" by Jem with Dr. H. H. Holmes. For future reference, Devil in the White City is fuckin' creepy while Thunderstruck is just a bit sad. Do not read either if you have a problem with descriptions of corpses. Especially not Devil in the White City. Holmes is considered the first real American serial killer, has a record far better than Jack the Ripper (if better is really the word there; perhaps more extensive?) and was inventively disgusting about killing people. Strange, scary man.
Dr. Crippen, on the other hand, I just feel sorry for. Dude, if you're going to marry and eventually murder a harridan wannabe diva, at least just toss her in the Thames or something instead of burying her in your basement. Seriously.
But the books are made of awesome and love. Erik Larson has the most readable nonfiction style I've run across yet. I went through Thunderstruck in about a day and a half, even plowing through all those telegraph technicalites.