Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt
Publication Date: January 13, 1994
Publisher: Random House
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.
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 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.
This week’s photo
Do you see that jealous puppy in the background? She was not happy that Molly was getting attention instead of her. (Ignore the glowing evil dog eyes – I tried to fix it and failed miserably) She doesn’t realize that the other two dogs need love too 🙂 Molly is a such a good sport!
What are your thoughts? Have you read this book? Would you recommend it to others?
I love the pups in this one. I don't own this one but I did see the movie. I really liked it but will admit it probably has more to do with the fact that I'm a huge John Cusack fan and not because of the movie itself.
I tried reading the book many years ago and couldn't get into it. I had the same thing with the film! I love that jealous puppy thing going on!
I'm a huge Cusack fan too. I loved the movie but still haven't read the book. I should!
a twofer one puppy pic. 🙂 i love the evil dog eyes. lol i read the book, but offhand i don't remember what i thought. hope you enjoy it
sherry @ fundinmental
I've not managed to pick up that movie or book either. I've got several movies where I've seen parts, but never all b/c I fell asleep on them. Definitely me since I tend to fall asleep during home movies. LOL Hopefully, you'll get to it soon.
Ahhh, cute pups. Even the jealous one. 🙂
it's an intriguing cover but I didn't know about this one
I haven't read this. Cute dog picture though.
Well the book sounds like something I would read – nonfiction murder mystery. The question is does it find a solution. I hate an ambiguous ending. But when I have trouble with reading I listen to the audio. Good luck!
Anne – Books of My Heart
I never knew this was actually non-fiction, oops! Added to my TBR, as I am infintely more interested in it now. Thanks!!
I thought his film was great, and I feel like I have seen many complimentary things said about his book.
I remember when this came out and was huge. I never read it either, I think I did see the movie though but I don't remember much…
Haha those glowing eyes- don't mess with her lol!
Saw this movie — it was pretty cool.
I hope you'll enjoy the book.
I tried so hard to read this one but it just wasn’t happening for me. I thought I would love it because the Savannah setting plays such a big role and I’ve been there many, many times and am familiar with it. But I just couldn’t get into it. I hope you have better luck and will enjoy it!
Hmmm dunno about this one
I love the look of this one! I hadn't heard about the events before
I've heard of it, but never read it. Looks so good tho
This was one of the books that sat on my TBR shelf for years–and I ended up donating it to the library. Maybe someday I will give it a try. I am sure I can check it out from the library if I change my mind. I've heard it is really good. I hope you enjoy it when you get to it!