Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

By: John Berendt

Narrated by: Jeff Woodman, Will Damron, John Berendt

Length: 15 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • An enormously engaging portrait of a most beguiling Southern city: “Elegant and wicked.... [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."—The New York Times Book Review

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 flows 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.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is a sublime and seductive listening experience. Brilliantly conceived and masterfully written, this true-crime book has become a modern classic.

©1994 by John Berendt (P)1995 by Random House Audio Publishing, Inc., All Rights Reserved Under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions, Reproduced by Arrangement with Random House Audio Publishing, Inc.

Critic reviews

“John Berendt has written a gorgeous and haunting blend of travel book and murder mystery. It is enchanting and disturbing and deeply atmospheric.”—Michael Herr

“Forceful, clear, gripping, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is the best nonfiction novel since In Cold Blood and a lot more entertaining, since Berendt’s book has everything going for it—snobbism ruthless power, voodoo, local color, and a totally evil estheticism. I read it till dawn.”—Edmund White

“John Berendt has the ability to make the truth read like an exciting novel. This book is original, funny, and bleak—and it beckons quite alluringly to armchair adventurers who are as curious about human nature as about the nature of certain places. I finished reading it convinced that Savannah, may be the greatest performance artist of our day.”—Ann Beattie

This shouldn't work...but it does, brilliantly!

Years ago I watched the film made of Midnight starring Kevin Spacey, John Cusack, and the gorgeous Jude Law. I never realised it was based on a non-fiction book until I listened to this recording.

For readers and listeners who are really into plot, this may turn out to be a disappointment because despite it ostensibly being about the various trials Jim Williams had to undergo, there really isn't one. This is a book that showcases character and setting most of all. The central character is Savannah itself, a sort of pre-Civil War time capsule where there seems so little to do (well, at least among the rich) that gossip is the most valued currency of all. But Berendt introduces us to such a wealth of wonderful characters, from the Lady Chablis to Luther Driggers, from Joe Odom to Jim Williams himself, that you would think they had been made-up from someone's crazy imagination. Yet, they are/were real people and the book is all the richer for that knowledge.

At just over 15 hours this one could have dragged but it never did. I enjoyed every minute. Congratulations go to John Berendt for capturing this remarkable group of people in such an enjoyable way -- and kudos to Jeff Woodman for his excellent narration.

Greatest audible book

I loved every second of this book. I had intentions of reading it years ago and I'm thrilled I had the chance to listen to all the fabulous characters! Kudos to John Berendt for the story and JeffWoodman for narration. I'd give 10 stars if I could.

All time favorite

I have listened twice now. Read the book. Also read Hiding my Candy by Lady Cablis. Have seen the movie probably a hundred times. I just love this story.

AMAZING!!

This has, by far, been my most enjoyable audio book!! I truly enjoyed the manner in which the characters were brought to life by the author and narrator.

Great listen

My only complaint is the long pauses between chapters. A few times I thought the phone had stopped but it was just that I had to wait for the reader to say "Chapter 2" etc.
The book itself was great. Of course I hated the racist remarks of some of the characters.

brilliant

Real people in real places make for the best fiction! A brilliant, entertaining, informative creation.

awesome

Loved it. living here now in Savannah makes you want to stroll through town visualize that Era

Fabulous

Jeff Woodman brings this tale to life and keeps the listener riveted with voices so perfect for each character. I kept wondering if this was a true story or fiction so it was delightful to listen to the author at the end give his account of how this book came about. I highly recommend!!

Savannah

Great book enjoyed the history and the culture of Savannah. Can’t wait to visit there

This book is so entertaining.

This is one of those books where you’re sad when it ends. I’m ready to read the book all over again. I miss all the quirky characters.