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foxowl2005's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexism
ottolee's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Cultural appropriation
mekowaletti's review against another edition
Minor: Addiction, Sexism, and Violence
itsjadenbaby's review against another edition
Graphic: Gore and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
psdarlin's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Kidnapping, and Colonisation
Minor: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Medical content, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
amsswim's review against another edition
5.0
I am already a big fan of non-fiction literature and historical reads, this combines the best of them both. This non-fiction book read like fiction in my opinion, making it quick to go by. The many intertwining stories were not difficult to keep track of and all interesting. This is for sure one of those reads that leaves you with a greater understanding of the time period (e.g. 1890s) as a whole, and puts into context the overlap of inventions, important figures, and other legendary events.
If you like historical fiction or non-fiction, true crime, or well written books, I recommend this read.
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Violence, Blood, Abortion, and Murder
Minor: Child abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Medical content, Dementia, Cultural appropriation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
kellyofcali's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Child death, Death, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Grief, and Pregnancy
Minor: Sexism and Fire/Fire injury
nichola's review against another edition
4.75
If you want to read a book about H H Holmes and true crime this is not for you. This is not the Biography of America's first serial killer. This is a brilliant snapshot (the origins of the word which I learnt from this book) of the history of America and in specific Chicago during a stunning period in history where men could do all things. And yes I say men, specifically. Also, I mean this with all the good and the bad clumped together.
This book stunned me in the best way. I feel like I have been immersed in a time and place and absorbed the world's magic and terror.
This book feels like an incredible explanation for why America is the way it is.
If you like Susan Orlean and her craft for recreating a moment in time on a page this is definitely a brilliant choice of reading material.
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexism
headachesince03's review against another edition
4.5
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Dementia, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism