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

loved it! captivating and funny

such a great read prior to my visit to Savannah. I want to listen to it again!

Great Story!

I have found only a few books that hold my interest as well as this one does; I feel it offers an excellent storyline which is most important to me.

narration

loved it! prelude to my trip in June! New insight to where I will b going to

Great Read - Read before visiting Savannah!

I wish I read this book before my visit to Savannah. The book identifies some wonderful places to visit and adds a layer of interest. The character development and overall narrative are wonderful and it’s easy to digest large portions of this book at one time.

the hilarious chacacters.

A must read and I must visit Savannah! Delightful narration. The historically accuracy and deal make it a fun way to learn history.

A Southern Gothic Masterpiece

John Berendt’s storytelling is mesmerizing! This audiobook immerses you in a fascinating blend of true crime and Southern charm. The vivid characters and intriguing plot twists kept me hooked from start to finish. It’s a gripping listen that paints a vivid picture of Savannah’s dark side and its colorful inhabitants.

Enchanting

From start to finish the book was filled with wonder twists that kept me wanting more.

Superbly narrated

Wonderful performance of a sensational story that presents the history of a city as a tangible and present being. While there’s great scandal in this story, it’s the history and local characters that are at the heart of every chapter.

Great Book

Knew very little going in. Did not even know it was a true story. Interesting people in an interesting setting, and read by a great narrator.

great book, great narrator!

I have been a member of Audible for over a year, and this is the best narration I have come across yet. He makes it so much more vivid, and I really appreciate that his southern accents are GOOD. They don't sound fake, which I think can be a problem. It helps, of course, that the book is really great and has very vivid characters, but I think the narration makes those characters really come to life. Especially Chablis! Oh I love her.
I also liked the little snippet of interview with the author at the end.