Shots rang out in Savannah’s grandest mansion in the misty,early morning hours of May 2, 1981. Was it murder or self-defense? For nearly a decade, the shooting and its aftermath reverberated throughout this hauntingly beautiful city of moss-hung oaks and shaded squares. John Berendt’s sharply observed, suspenseful, and witty narrative reads like a thoroughly engrossing novel, and yet it is a … a work of nonfiction. Berendt skillfully interweaves a hugely entertaining first-person account of life in this isolated remnant of the Old South with the unpredictable twists and turns of a landmark murder case.
It is a spellbinding story peopled by a gallery of remarkable characters: the well-bred society ladies of the Married Woman’s Card Club; the turbulent young redneck gigolo; the hapless recluse who owns a bottle of poison so powerful it could kill every man, woman, and child in Savannah; the aging and profane Southern belle who is the “soul of pampered self-absorption”; the uproariously funny black drag queen; the acerbic and arrogant antiques dealer; the sweet-talking, piano-playing con artist; young blacks dancing the minuet at the black debutante ball; and Minerva, the voodoo priestess who works her magic in the graveyard at midnight. These and other Savannahians act as a Greek chorus, with Berendt revealing the alliances, hostilities, and intrigues that thrive in a town where everyone knows everyone else.
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is a sublime and seductive reading experience. Brilliantly conceived and masterfully written, this enormously engaging portrait of a most beguiling Southern city has become a modern classic.
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I had high hopes for this book after reading reviews and seeing it was a bestseller in the 90’s. I feel like I went into this book expecting a straight up true crime book covering the shooting and subsequent trial. Instead the murder trial was sort of plopped in the middle of a book that dragsssssss.
Another review describes this as long-form …
This book is a classic of true crime for a reason – beautifully written, intriguing characters, vibrant setting.
Excellent nonfiction that reads like fiction. Have to make a trip to Savannah, Georgia.
A classic tale of murder set in a unique environment with unique characters
One of the most entertaining novels I’ve ever read. Makes Savannah really come alive, too. Fantastic portrayal of Deep South culture.
I’ve read this book twice. That’s the best recommendation that I can give any book.
Great read
Read this book a chapter at a time. Each one really does stand on its own. The characters are REAL PEOPLE of SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, the tales are true, and the author lived the book himself. You’ll learn a ton about Southern culture, medium town politics and how the levels of society interweave. It isn’t a humor book, but the author just paints these …
A gossipy tale that lets you peek into southern culture.
This book was so impactful that after my husband and I read we actually went to Savannah, Georgia, to view the sights from the book. This is a true story and fascinating to read.
more wonderful because it is a true story. Unbelievable characters that you will not forget but they are TRUE people!
An excellent bridge uook. Although it ends in a trial it is really about colorful characters. In the end, The story is truly about the city off Savanah and some of its interesting and unforgettable people.
what a great read. i love the old southern.
This is a true crime story that is amazingly easy to read. I enjoyed it and will read it again at some time in the future. Tells the story well and makes the historic district of Savanah come alive for the reader.
I had to return to Savannah after reading this book. An amazing cast of characters, a murder, voodoo, cemetery, wealthy and unique people, odd events- it’s a one and only book. Better than the movie!
Lots of local color about Savannah
Great book. I recommend
Great book to read. Like getting all the best gossip first hand among a highly interesting cast of characters . You can’t wait to turn the page! You also learn a great deal about Savannah at this era.
Intelligent and surprising
The characters are delicious, as most Southern book characters are. Although the book has been called a “True Crime Novel”, I found the wacky ones were definitely based on honest-to-goodness, real life people, whose traits may have even been toned down somewhat by the author, so as to not inhibit his chances of getting the book published! I …