Is Devil in White City a true story?

The Devil in the White City

Is Devil in White City a true story?

Cover of The Devil in the White City

AuthorErik Larson
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreHistorical non-fiction
PublisherCrown Publishers

Publication date

2003
Media typePrint (hardcover and paperback)
Pages447
ISBN0-609-60844-4
OCLC54397544

The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America (Crown Publishers, ISBN 0-609-60844-4) is a 2003 historical non-fiction book by Erik Larson presented in a novelistic style. It tells the story of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago from the viewpoint of the designers, including Daniel Burnham and Frederick Law Olmsted, and also tells the story of H. H. Holmes, a criminal figure in that same time often considered by historians as the first modern serial killer.[1]

Leonardo DiCaprio purchased the film rights in 2010.[2]

Plot[edit]

External media
Is Devil in White City a true story?
Author Erik Larson
Audio
Is Devil in White City a true story?
"The Devil in the White City", Weekend Edition, National Public Radio, Larson interviewed by Scott Simon, 10:01, April 5, 2003
Video
Is Devil in White City a true story?
"The Devil in the White City", Booknotes, C-SPAN, 58:00, September 14, 2003.

The Devil in the White City is divided into four parts, the first three happening in Chicago between 1890 and 1893, while part four of the book takes place in Philadelphia circa 1895. The book interweaves the true tales of Daniel Burnham, the architect behind the 1893 World's Fair, and H. H. Holmes, a serial killer who lured his victims to their deaths in his elaborately constructed "Murder Castle".

Adaptation[edit]

Leonardo DiCaprio purchased the film rights to the book in 2010. The film version, as originally planned, would have been directed by Martin Scorsese, written by Billy Ray, and produced jointly by Paramount Pictures, Double Feature Films, and DiCaprio's Appian Way Productions.[3][4][5]

In 2019, Hulu began developing a series based on the book. Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese are designated as the executive producers of the project along with Stacey Sher.[6][7] It was announced in January 2022, that actor Keanu Reeves was in negotiations to star in the series as Daniel Burnham and Todd Field would direct the first two episodes.[8] Production and filming are expected to begin March 2023 in Chicago and Toronto, with the series expected to launch in 2024.[9] In October 2022, Reeves left the production without comment.[10] Field left the project a couple of days later.[11]

Honors[edit]

  • 2003 New York Times best seller (nonfiction)
  • 2003 International Horror Guild Award (Nonfiction)
  • 2003 San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of the Year
  • 2003 National Book Award (Nonfiction), finalist
  • 2003 CWA Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction, shortlist
  • 2003 Great Lakes Book Award (Nonfiction), finalist
  • 2004 Washington State Book Award
  • 2004 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Award
  • 2004 Edgar Award (Best Fact Crime), winner
  • 2004 Book Sense Book of the Year Honor Book, winner
  • 2009 ALA Outstanding Books for the College Bound (History & Cultures)

References[edit]

  1. ^ Magazine, Smithsonian; Solly, Meilan. "The Enduring Mystery of H.H. Holmes, America's 'First' Serial Killer". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2022-08-31.
  2. ^ "Leonardo DiCaprio secures rights to book of first serial killer in the US", The Guardian newspaper (November 2, 2010). Accessed Nov. 2, 2010.
  3. ^ "Leonardo DiCaprio Teams With Martin Scorsese for 'Devil in the White City'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2017-09-03.
  4. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (December 16, 2011). "Warner Bros Sets Black List Top Scribe Graham Moore For 'Devil In The White City'; Leonardo DiCaprio To Play Serial Killer". Deadline Hollywood.
  5. ^ McNary, Dave (August 10, 2015). "Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese Reunite for 'Devil in the White City'". Variety. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  6. ^ "Keanu Reeves reportedly in talks to star in Hulu's adaptation of 'The Devil in the White City'". Web News Observer. 2022-01-10. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  7. ^ Otterson, Joe (February 11, 2019). "'Devil in the White City' Series in the Works at Hulu from Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese." Variety. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  8. ^ Epting, Claire (January 4, 2022). "Keanu Reeves to Star In Scorsese Produced 'Devil in the White City' Series". Screen Crush.
  9. ^ "The Devil in the White City sets spring production date in Chicago". | Reel Chicago - At the intersection of Chicago Advertising, Entertainment, Media and Production. 2022-08-29. Retrieved 2022-08-31.
  10. ^ "Keanu Reeves Exits Hulu's Devil in the White City Series". Vulture. 2022-10-07. Retrieved 2022-10-08.
  11. ^ "Devil in the White City: Director Todd Field Exits Hulu Show". 10 October 2022.

  • Official Random House page for the book

Is Devil in the White City based on fact?

Peter White The Devil in the White City tells the true story of two men, an architect and a serial killer, whose fates were forever linked by The Chicago World's Fair of 1893. It follows Daniel H. Burnham, a brilliant and fastidious architect racing to make his mark on the world and Henry H.

Is Devil in the White City historical fiction?

The Devil in the White City is a literary nonfiction novel that spans the years surrounding the building of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, also known as The World's Columbian Exposition, which was designed to commemorate the landing of Columbus in America.

What serial killer is Devil in the White City about?

Discover the dark and gruesome true story of America's first serial killer H.H. Holmes and his connection to the glamorous 1893 Chicago World's Fair that Charles and Gene Stratton-Porter attended.

What happened to the film Devil in the White City?

Then, in 2010, Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way Productions acquired the film rights. In 2015, Martin Scorsese came aboard to direct, but it wasn't until 2019 that the project ultimately headed to Hulu. Now, three years later, The Devil in the White City is once again in development hell.