Customer Reviews

MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL.

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This non-fiction narrative made the New York Time's best seller list for 216 weeks,published in 1994, was also one of the finalist's for the 1995 pulitzer prize.

Berendt weaves a enthralling and witty story about Historic Savannah's local characters during the eighties that surrounded four Murder trials with Jim Williams as the internationally known Antiques dealer accused of shooting Danny Hansford (the local hustler),local society and leaders,singer Emma Kelly lady of 6000 songs,a voodoo priestess,a beloved piano playing con artist, a black drag queen,known as the Lady Chablis,&The society Womens Card Club. Murder or self defense that is the question,that engaged talk in Savannah for years. Berendt's well crafted book about these Savannah characters,and historical sites put this city on the travel to map.

The author expands on Jim Williams acclaim for renovating Historic homes in downtown Savannah that had been overun by crime and prostitution.The city returned to its former glory because of his efforts. Savannah society clamoured to be invited to his parties and were often featured in nationwide magazines.Williams purchased the Mercer house from the family of song writer Johnny Mercer.His Mercer house became the gem of Savannah due to its renovations and lavish furnishings.

I liked this book for all the reasons above and recommend it,however it may not be everyone's cup of tea due to some lulls in the story, and some subject matter.

The bird girl sculpture became a famous attraction
in Savannah due to the notoriety of the book.

In 1997 Clint Eastwood directed a movie based on the
novel and in the typical hollywood stead,several facts were changed.

...then you have to read this book first. The movie is great, but the book is much better. All of the tours mention "The Book," and all of your favorite places are easily found once you travel to Savannah.

This book is absolutely thrilling. I would have never known this to be a non-fiction had I no prior knowledge if this book. The book's plot and layout does not seem like that of a non-fiction, but that of a novel. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is involved in the murder through the Savannahians social view. In fact, the news of the murder is delivered by Lady Chablis, the local drag queen. This crime is described through the culture of Savannah and not so much through unbiased facts. The local eccentrics and the detailed description of lovely Savannah make the reader want to go and visit the crime scene and maybe stay for a weekend. The only criticism to be said for this book is how unbiased and realistic are the characters and crime facts. Personally I could not blame him if he did decide to dress up the Savannahian society. Overall, this book is a quick, fascinating read, and the best about it is it's true!

I'm having a difficult time deciding whether John Berendt set out to make mock of Savannah from the get-go or whether he was trying to write a sincere travelogue/murder story about a city that just happens to be filled to the brim with laughable oddities, eccentricities and a most perverse, inwardly directed, indeed almost incestuous sense of moral rectitude and appropriate behaviour.

Berendt certainly had no shortage of "characters" with which to people his oddball narrative of a city that, in terms of its appearance, now has to be characterized as one of the glittering jewels of the South - Lady Chablis, a very talented drag queen who was utterly committed to her life's calling; an old man who walks an imaginary dog; a very clever inventor, almost certainly a manic-depressive, who claims to have a bottle of poison powerful enough to destroy Savannah's entire water supply (the locals can accurately gauge his mood swings by how much of his breakfast he consumes before leaving the local café); Danny Hansford, a gay male prostitute categorized by his friends as "a good time not yet had by all" who is killed in what the police termed a lover's quarrel; Minerva, a practicing voodoo witch who consults her dead husband in the hopes that he will provide for her by telling her what numbers to play at the track and assists her friends by be-devilling their enemies with black magic fetishes; and, finally, Jim Williams, the local antique dealer, con artist, high roller, swindler and effete charmer who miraculously manages to perjure his way through four consecutive murder trials to an ultimate acquittal in a new city with an uncontaminated jury pool.

While one might say that MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL is in the same genre - novelized true crime - that's where the resemblance to the likes of IN COLD BLOOD stops. The New York Times Book Review said it far better than I could. This "... might be the first true-crime book that makes the reader want to book a bed and breakfast for an extended weekend at the scene of the crime."

Entertaining, informative and, oddly enough, quite hilarious. Highly recommended.

Paul Weiss

Having just visited Savannah and learning a little about the story, it was good to read the whole thing and revisit in my mind the beautiful squares and homes Savannah has to offer. But reading this story and learning all the events that happened was incredible. The story was well told and captivating.

I read this book years ago following the murder and the very public trial with many television interviews that followed. I loved the characters, Savannah, the guardens and beautiful homes which the book described in full. Only recently, did I get to visit that wonderful town for the first time. I then purchased the book and reread it again!!!!Please read it.Just a fabulous read, a great character study, sociological study of an era, and a great historical study of that great treasure;Savannah!!!

Fabulous book. Lends a tremendous credit to Eastwood, Spacey and Cusack for an honest interpretation in the movie. Sonny's tale could have happened anywhere in today's world. The details of the real estate developments make great fodder for discussion with friends and relatives who are long-time residents of Savannah. They recall the real names and places and their actual relative involvement with the tale. The book is a "Must Read" for anyone who wants to visit the city and appreciate the treasure of it's rehabilitation. Fabulous book!

A group of us are meeting in Savannah and felt the need to reread this classic. Gave a refresher on some aspects of history, where we might want to visit while there, what to avoid, etc. However, just a good, well written book from out of our past.

Good value - good service. The book came in on time and in the condition posted - will use this site again.

I did not expect a hard cover edition and in such fine condition as this was. Kudos to Amazon and its satellite sellers.