TTC Book Club Week 1 (4/11)

picklesplease · April 2016

Good afternoon!

I've been slowly piecing this together. We are discussing the first four sections:
"Aboard the Olympic"
"The Black City"
"The Trouble is Just Begun"
"The Necessary Supply"

Please feel free to add to the questions I have. Answer any you want or start a new question. It's completely up to you! I will leave this thread up and check in every so often throughout the week.

1) You know who the serial killer is from the start. Does this cause anticipation for what will happen, or does it ruin the rest of the book for you?

2) Why do you think Larson chose to tell Burnham and Holmes' stories together? Does this shift distract or confuse you, or does it draw you into the book/story more? Explain.

I hope you are all enjoying it as much as I am so far!

Our next chapters for next week (4/18) are (I added an extra chapter because a couple of them are super short):
"Becomingness"
"Don't Be Afraid"
"Pilgrimage"
"A Hotel for the Fair"
"The Landscape of Regret"

Enjoy!

Image: https://d.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1392273995ra/8530707.gif

furbabymom2007 · April 2016

I am this close to being ready to discuss! I'll be back in tomorrow, going to finish tonight.

picklesplease · April 2016

1) You know who the serial killer is from the start. Does this cause anticipation for what will happen, or does it ruin the rest of the book for you?
I'm honestly not sure how I feel about knowing who the serial killer is from the start. I think it adds to the anticipation a bit. You are anxiously waiting to find out what is going to happen next. I'm not sure. Is it sad that I don't have an opinion about this yet.

2) Why do you think Larson chose to tell Burnham and Holmes' stories together? Does this shift distract or confuse you, or does it draw you into the book/story more? Explain.
I think it draws you in. I have been noticing the similarities between Burnham and Holmes (like the blue eyes and the way people are drawn to them), and it makes me wonder if there will be a mix-up later. Larson does a good job of changing things up between the sections that are about Burnham and the parts about Holmes. The description of Holmes gave me goosebumps and made me slightly uncomfortable.

So far, so good.

MelissaM090 · April 2016

1) You know who the serial killer is from the start. Does this cause anticipation for what will happen, or does it ruin the rest of the book for you?

I like knowing who it is from the beginning. I read a lot of true crime, which are less about suspense and more about telling the whole story. The problem with a suspense novel, where you don't find out who the perpetrator is until the end, is that you don't get a lot of the back story.

2) Why do you think Larson chose to tell Burnham and Holmes' stories together? Does this shift distract or confuse you, or does it draw you into the book/story more? Explain.

I assume that somewhere along the line, the two stories will intersect. But I'm a sucker for anything historical and that does a good job of explaining about life and society in the era in which it's set. So I'm loving the descriptions of life in Chicago at the time and the challenges of building in that time.

What I find interesting is the descriptions of all the terrible things that were happening in general at this time and the dangers of living in that world. They talk about the fires, the murders, getting hit by trains, all the diseases. You always hear from generations past about what a nice world they lived in and how each future generation makes society worse, but this era seems pretty freaking dangerous to live in.

Sparty18 · April 2016

1) You know who the serial killer is from the start. Does this cause anticipation for what will happen, or does it ruin the rest of the book for you?
I love a good mystery, so it would be interesting to not know, but on the other hand, I think it will be interesting to see how your opinion shifts about him throughout the book and analyzing his life and actions knowing that he is the serial killer.

2) Why do you think Larson chose to tell Burnham and Holmes' stories together? Does this shift distract or confuse you, or does it draw you into the book/story more? Explain.
To be honest, I've had to go back and re-read pages to keep things straight, but mostly because I would go a few days without reading. I like seeing the stories build up together not knowing how everything will come together. @DoctorDonna that is an interesting observation about the similarities and wondering if there will be a mix-up at some point.

One thing I found interesting was early on it talked about the warning that was printed in the Chicago Tribune from First National Bank advising women to ignore ads for lady stenographers that are looking for blonde, good-looking women, etc... Makes me wonder what the ads looked like and I like that they posted a warning, seems a bit ahead of that time.

babymish · April 2016

I'm 5 pages away from finishing the last chapter, I got distracted by "It starts with the egg". I'll finish it off tomorrow, but think I have read enough to join in.

1) You know who the serial killer is from the start. Does this cause anticipation for what will happen, or does it ruin the rest of the book for you?

It doesn't ruin it for me, if anything it makes it more interesting to see how this person started life and developed into his character. It will be interesting to see how things evolve.

2) Why do you think Larson chose to tell Burnham and Holmes' stories together? Does this shift distract or confuse you, or does it draw you into the book/story more? Explain.

This has me a little confused at times and I have to re-read bits as I can lose track of who I am reading about. Although I am reading standing up on the tube so my concentration is not 100%. Having said that I like seeing the similarities between the two characters and want to see how there lives get intertwined.

beary67 · April 2016

1) You know who the serial killer is from the start. Does this cause anticipation for what will happen, or does it ruin the rest of the book for you?
I kind of like knowing who the serial killer is. It kind of makes me pay more attention to the plot for some reason!

2) Why do you think Larson chose to tell Burnham and Holmes' stories together? Does this shift distract or confuse you, or does it draw you into the book/story more? Explain.
I will admit, I have had to re-read a couple parts, so in that respect, it's been a little confusing. But, to defend the book, I was watching the Master's while I was reading over the weekend, so maybe it was me. I think the author does a good job describing both stories.

Steelerfan78 · April 2016

1) You know who the serial killer is from the start. Does this cause anticipation for what will happen, or does it ruin the rest of the book for you? I love a good mystery and some suspense, but seeing as this has historic reference there aren't really any spoilers about it. I wouldn't say it's ruined. I guess it's more interesting to know form the start and learn about his past knowing what he will become.

2) Why do you think Larson chose to tell Burnham and Holmes' stories together? Does this shift distract or confuse you, or does it draw you into the book/story more? Explain. It is confusing at times, but does draw you in. I agree with @DoctorDonna that there are similarities and was also wondering about a future mix up.

@Sparty18 - I found that warning interesting too. Does anyone else think that maybe that was how Holmes was finding victims?

Sparty18 · April 2016

Steelerfan3878 said:

@Sparty18 - I found that warning interesting too. Does anyone else think that maybe that was how Holmes was finding victims?

@Steelerfan3878 Hmmm... interesting....

britters314 · April 2016

I don't really have good answers to the questions but I do have some things I wanted to say.

I was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs and I now live in the city (riding the L as I type this) I love reading about Chicago history. They unfortunately don't teach any Chicago history in schools here, which is sad. All the Chicago history I knew before starting this book is from a boat tour lol. I didn't know there used to be streetcars in the Loop! I do know the L started in 1892 so I'm wondering if that will get a mention in the book. The disgusting river is also mentioned but not quite how bad it was. At one point in time if you fell in you would die sooner from the toxicity than from drowning!

Edited for spelling

mrsdaddario · April 2016

1) You know who the serial killer is from the start. Does this cause anticipation for what will happen, or does it ruin the rest of the book for you?
I actually really like knowing who the killer is. I also really like how his childhood was set up as well. I think, even its a small role, how he grew up was important to the set up of his character.

2) Why do you think Larson chose to tell Burnham and Holmes' stories together? Does this shift distract or confuse you, or does it draw you into the book/story more? Explain. Obviously we know their stories are intertwined somehow, perhaps more than we think. And I like that only a few chapters in you're already wondering how and why. I didn't find I had to turn back while reading between Holmes and Burnham, but I did get a little confused when reading about Burnham and Root at first!

I'm more interested so far in Holmes, but I do agree with @MelissaM090 in that the descriptions of Chicago are quite interesting! And @Steelerfan3878 that's a great point!

AliciaGoose · April 2016

1) You know who the serial killer is from the start. Does this cause anticipation for what will happen, or does it ruin the rest of the book for you?
I agree that I like knowing. It's different than most crime novels that go for suspense (of course this is the first true crime novel I've read, so I don't know if that's the standard in true crime). I agree with @MelissaM090 that getting all of the backstory makes knowing worth it.

2) Why do you think Larson chose to tell Burnham and Holmes' stories together? Does this shift distract or confuse you, or does it draw you into the book/story more? Explain.
I like this but like most of you I find myself having to go back sometimes and re read or clarify parts. So far I find Burnham's sections a bit less interesting, which is a challenge because they are also longer. I do find myself looking forward to seeing how their stories intertwine in the end.

I also echo @MelissaM090 again in the fact that hearing about how dangerous a place Chicago was at that time is incredibly fascinating.

Another point of interest for me (which really speaks about how ill informed I am about life in America pre 20th century) is the way that people communicated and stayed informed in the late 1800s. I feel like because I live in a world where I have constant access to so much information, I couldn't imagine how people could possibly stay well informed or even keep track of one another (or things like crimes, debt, etc) before technology or more organized systems existed. The way the book explains it, it seems there were many systems in place and it wasn't easy to get away with things even in a time where record keeping couldn't have been as easy.

furbabymom2007 · April 2016

1) You know who the serial killer is from the start. Does this cause anticipation for what will happen, or does it ruin the rest of the book for you?

I have read a lot of mysteries that do it either way. And I don't think I prefer one over the other at all really. When you don't know "who done it" it's all about the clues and the challenge of figuring out who they are. When you know who did it, it's about the journey of the killer and the detective (at least in other books... Maybes it's the other guy in this book) from the killings (or before) to when those two meet up and justice is (or isn't) served.

2) Why do you think Larson chose to tell Burnham and Holmes' stories together? Does this shift distract or confuse you, or does it draw you into the book/story more? Explain.

It goes hand in hand with knowing who the killer already is (see previous answer... It's about the journey). It also reminds me of movies like New Year's Eve and love actually... Where there are several intersecting storylines. It isn't until the end that it all clicks and there is an "aha!" Moment.

Edited to add: so far the back stories are boring me, but I get how they are helping to set the scene. Excited to start getting into the present action!

Also... Some speculation... I don't know if it counts as a spoiler because this is a true story and this info is available anywhere...

I am assuming that The architect guy will come into play building the murder hotel.

furbabymom2007 · April 2016

beary67 said:

1) You know who the serial killer is from the start. Does this cause anticipation for what will happen, or does it ruin the rest of the book for you?
I kind of like knowing who the serial killer is. It kind of makes me pay more attention to the plot for some reason!

2) Why do you think Larson chose to tell Burnham and Holmes' stories together? Does this shift distract or confuse you, or does it draw you into the book/story more? Explain.
I will admit, I have had to re-read a couple parts, so in that respect, it's been a little confusing. But, to defend the book, I was watching the Master's while I was reading over the weekend, so maybe it was me. I think the author does a good job describing both stories.

I had to re-read a bit too lol. I am chalking it up to the fact that I just don't know the players yet. I somehow missed the part where they started used holmes's given name so at one point I was like "who the f is this dude?". Then I went back a few pages and was back on track

AliciaGoose · April 2016

furbabymom2007 said:

beary67 said:

1) You know who the serial killer is from the start. Does this cause anticipation for what will happen, or does it ruin the rest of the book for you?
I kind of like knowing who the serial killer is. It kind of makes me pay more attention to the plot for some reason!

2) Why do you think Larson chose to tell Burnham and Holmes' stories together? Does this shift distract or confuse you, or does it draw you into the book/story more? Explain.
I will admit, I have had to re-read a couple parts, so in that respect, it's been a little confusing. But, to defend the book, I was watching the Master's while I was reading over the weekend, so maybe it was me. I think the author does a good job describing both stories.

I had to re-read a bit too lol. I am chalking it up to the fact that I just don't know the players yet. I somehow missed the part where they started used holmes's given name so at one point I was like "who the f is this dude?". Then I went back a few pages and was back on track

Yes! I was actually listening in the car and I was like who the f is Mudgett?!

picklesplease · April 2016

I definitely had to re-listen to parts a couple of times, since I have the audiobook.

PennStateCait · April 2016

1) You know who the serial killer is from the start. Does this cause anticipation for what will happen, or does it ruin the rest of the book for you?
I definitely don't think it ruins the book. At this point I'm interested in the character more because I know he's the serial killer!

2) Why do you think Larson chose to tell Burnham and Holmes' stories together? Does this shift distract or confuse you, or does it draw you into the book/story more? Explain.
Great question! I think it intrigues me more.. I'm waiting for the big moment when the two plot lines come together.

I had also made a note (like @furbabymom2007 and @doctordonna said) that I was confused based on all the different characters. Especially because of Holmes' name change. I'm glad I wasn't the only one!

I am also just loving the time period this book takes place in. I teach my students a bit about the Chicago World Fair in relation to Nikola Tesla's part in it but that's pretty much all I knew. I was fascinated by all the details of setting that up.

Zoey1019 · April 2016

1) You know who the serial killer is from the start. Does this cause anticipation for what will happen, or does it ruin the rest of the book for you?
Nope! I really like learning about his past etc, hearing about the hints of crazy early on in his life. It is a different way to tell the story. It also builds the suspense on how the two stories will intersect. I can't wait to google and find out some of the wiki stories on this character...crazy it was real!

2) Why do you think Larson chose to tell Burnham and Holmes' stories together? Does this shift distract or confuse you, or does it draw you into the book/story more? Explain.

Doesn't confuse, but do have to pay really close attention to make sure I don't miss out on details!!!

I like the book a lot so far, but haven't had as much time to read as I would like, or i guess you could say I refresh the bump more than I pay attention to my kindle...

housewifehobbyist · April 2016

1) You know who the serial killer is from the start. Does this cause anticipation for what will happen, or does it ruin the rest of the book for you?
He's such a famous figure, I don't think it takes anything away for me. It's more about how he becomes a serial killer, what causes him to develop into such a monster, or if it's intrinsic, how he discovers that part of himself and why he nurtures it.

2) Why do you think Larson chose to tell Burnham and Holmes' stories together? Does this shift distract or confuse you, or does it draw you into the book/story more? Explain.
I think @DoctorDonna said it well. The comparisons between the two characters makes it a little more dynamic for me.

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