Summary

John Berendt’s Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is a captivating work of true crime that blurs the line between reality and fiction. Set in Savannah, Georgia, the book unravels a shocking murder case while painting a vivid portrait of the city with colorful vignettes of Savannah's unique characters, from socialites to drag queens. Berendt's masterful storytelling and keen observations bring Savannah to life, immersing readers in the city’s culture and secrets. Published in 1994, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil remained on the New York Times bestseller list for an astonishing 216 weeks. The book’s immense popularity led to a film adaptation in 1997, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Kevin Spacey and John Cusack.

Plot

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil opens on May 2, 1981 with shots ringing out in Savannah's grandest mansion. The book follows the aftermath of this shooting, which resulted in the death of Danny Hansford, a local male prostitute. Jim Williams, a respected antiques dealer and Hansford's employer, is accused of murder. Williams claims the killing was in self-defense, as Hansford had allegedly become enraged and fired a gun at him first.

The narrative weaves through the complex social fabric of Savannah, introducing a cast of eccentric characters who serve as a Greek chorus to the unfolding drama. These include members of the Married Woman's Card Club, a reclusive man who possesses a deadly poison, an aging Southern belle, a Black drag queen known as The Lady Chablis, and a voodoo priestess who performs midnight rituals in the city's graveyards.

As the story progresses, readers follow the twists and turns of Williams's legal battles. The case goes through four separate trials over nearly a decade, with Williams fighting to prove his innocence. The book delves into the intricacies of Savannah's social hierarchy, revealing alliances and hostilities that impact the case and the city's reaction to it.

Throughout the narrative, Berendt provides a first-person account of life in Savannah, painting a vivid picture of this remnant of the Old South. The author's experiences and observations are interwoven with the murder case, creating a rich tapestry that explores the city's history, culture, and the complex relationships among its inhabitants. The story culminates with the final trial, where the judge agrees to a change of venue, moving the case away from the Savannah jury pool.

Themes

• Contrast between appearances and reality in Southern society

• Eccentricity and colorful characters of Savannah

• Power of gossip and social connections

• Blurred lines between fact and fiction

• Southern Gothic atmosphere and sense of place

• Clash between tradition and modernity in the South

• Exploration of morality and justice in a murder case

Setting

Set in the 1980s, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil immerses readers in the enchanting and mysterious world of Savannah, Georgia. This historic Southern city, with its moss-draped oak trees and elegant squares, serves as the backdrop for a true crime story that captivated the nation for nearly a decade. 

The book's central events unfold in Savannah's grandest mansion, Mercer House, where a shocking shooting occurs in the early hours of May 2, 1981. This opulent residence becomes the epicenter of the story, symbolizing the city's blend of grandeur and intrigue. Other significant locations include the exclusive Married Woman's Card Club, local graveyards where voodoo rituals take place, and various hidden corners of Savannah that reveal the city's complex social tapestry.

Beyond the specific locales, Berendt paints a vivid picture of Savannah's broader landscape. From its shaded squares to its antique shops, from high-society gatherings to underground drag performances, the author captures the essence of a city where tradition and eccentricity coexist. This rich tapestry of settings not only provides a backdrop for the central murder case but also becomes a character in its own right, influencing and reflecting the actions and personalities of Savannah's colorful inhabitants.

Key Figures

• Jim Williams: Wealthy antiques dealer and main subject of the book. Known for his charm, wit, and lavish parties in Savannah's high society circles, Williams was charged with murdering Danny Hansford in his mansion.

• Danny Hansford: Young male prostitute and part-time employee of Jim Williams. Known for his volatile temper and unpredictable behavior, Hansford was shot and killed by Williams in an alleged act of self-defense. 

• The Lady Chablis: Transgender entertainer and local Savannah celebrity. Chablis provides comic relief and serves as a sort of Greek chorus throughout the narrative. Her flamboyant personality and witty remarks make her one of the book's most memorable characters.

• Joe Odom: Charming piano player and con artist. Odom moves from house to house in Savannah, throwing parties and avoiding bill collectors. His carefree lifestyle and ability to manipulate situations epitomize the eccentric nature of Savannah society.

• Minerva: Voodoo priestess who performs rituals to help Jim Williams in his legal troubles. She represents the mystical undercurrent of Savannah and its connections to folk magic and superstition.

• Sonny Seiler: Jim Williams's defense attorney. Seiler is a prominent Savannah lawyer who navigates the complexities of Williams's case through multiple trials.

• Lee Adler: Acerbic and arrogant antiques dealer. Adler is known for his sharp tongue and strong opinions on Savannah's preservation efforts.

• Emma Kelly: Local musician known as the “Lady of 6,000 Songs." Kelly's musical talents and warm personality make her a beloved figure in Savannah.

• Luther Driggers: Reclusive chemist who claims to possess a poison capable of killing the entire city. Driggers represents the dangers lurking beneath Savannah's genteel surface.

Quick facts

• John Berendt took roughly eight years to research and write Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

• The book's title refers to the hoodoo concept of “midnight” as a time between good and evil magic.

• Berendt didn't actually witness the events related to the murder that drives the book—he arrived in Savannah years later.

• The character of Chablis was a real person who later starred as herself in the movie adaptation.

• Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil spent a record-breaking 216 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.

• The iconic “Bird Girl” statue on the cover was moved from Bonaventure Cemetery to a museum due to the book's popularity.

• Clint Eastwood directed the 1997 film adaptation starring Kevin Spacey and John Cusack.

• The book is often credited with significantly boosting Savannah's tourism industry.

• Berendt admitted to taking some creative liberties, calling the book “99% true and 1% exaggeration."

• Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil was adapted into a musical in 2024, 30 years after the book’s initial release.

About the Author

John Berendt (1939-) is an American author best known for his nonfiction bestseller Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Born in Syracuse, New York, Berendt is the son of two writers. He cultivated his literary skills at Harvard University, where he worked on The Harvard Lampoon before graduating with a BA in English in 1961. After moving to New York City, Berendt pursued a career in publishing and journalism. He held notable positions as an editor at New York magazine from 1977 to 1979 and wrote a monthly column for Esquire from 1982 to 1994. 

Berendt's fascination with Savannah, Georgia, began in the early 1980s when he discovered he could afford weekend trips there for the price of a fancy meal in New York City. Over time, his visits became more frequent and extended, eventually leading him to spend more time in Savannah than in New York. This immersion in the city's culture and society provided the rich material for Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, published in 1994. The book's success was unprecedented, spending a record-breaking 216 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.

Following the triumph of his debut, Berendt continued to explore unique locales and characters. His second book, The City of Falling Angels, published in 2005, delved into the intriguing world of Venice, Italy. In recent years, Berendt has expanded his repertoire to include children's literature with My Baby Blue Jays, inspired by his observations of nesting birds outside his New York City home. His work continues to captivate audiences, with a musical adaptation of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil set to open on Broadway in 2025.