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.
