In Which Mayor Mugwump Talks About Her Favorite Characters (and Prendergast. Poor, Poor Prendergast)

So far as I have read, there is a protagonist and an antagonist in this lovely tale, both of which get about equal emphasis. Burnham and Holmes. However, my affections lie with neither of these characters. (Especially not Holmes. Especially not Holmes.)

No, my favorite characters are the ones who contribute other things to the fair. 

Olmstead, although eccentric, was an early favorite of mine (although perhaps that is because he was eccentric) and has continued to amuse me throughout the book. His focus on the details and making sure that everything is done correctly is something that I can identify with, and his frustration at issues and stubbornness in sticking to his own plans reminds me of myself. However, given the nature of his sickness, I'm afraid that we are going to see him die before the end of the book.

Another character that I was surprised to find myself enjoying was Mr. Sol Bloom, the man in charge of the Midway. I was intrigued by his management of the theatre that he was situated in, and then amused at how he planned to stay in Sacramento. I was pleased to see his part in the story continue as he went to Chicago and got to work his magic on the fair's Midway. He used the American intrigue with the foreign and the mystical to his advantage in putting together his Midway... Even if his planned Pygmies weren't actually alive to see the fair at all. He was also largely responsible for the projected grandeur of the fair, and was excellent at advertising in dealing with the press, which was neat to observe.

Bloom was also the only character willing to host the plans of George Washington Gale Ferris, another unexpected favorite. His ingenious plan and the tenacity that he had in trying to execute it, driven by the urge for the Chicago fair to out-Eiffel Eiffel, were admirable. His plan would influence the face of the fair itself, and his "Ferris Wheel," is a unique marvel of engineering, even today. He is also quirky, which I suppose is sort of common among all of my favorites.

Another tenacious character is Prendergast, who is... Crazy. Downright crazy. But! His passages are crucial to the book, because they give us the biggest look into the politics of Chicago, and the ways that Harrison was influencing the city. However, I'm really not sure if we are supposed to be sympathetic to Prendergast, or off-put by him. Personally, I am a bit of both.

So, then, what do my fellow Mugwumps think? Are you sympathetic toward Prendergast, or off-put? Which do you think the author intended? How have your favorite characters been influencing the fair, or not influencing it?

And is Murphy's Law in effect here?

-Mayor Mugwump (Jordan Whiteley)