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

Highly recommend

Having visited Savannah many times (live in Jacksonville). This is an awesome story! Highly recommend for anyone!

Just read this entertaining and salty

I read it while in Savannah, did not finish it before I left. wish I had read before I arrived. Now I have to go back to Savannah...but I promise to leave so you can keep this wonderful place to yourselves. fantastic book!

Entertaining!

I'm only sorry I had not read this book sooner. Very well written, funny, and incredibly entertaining. From the very begging the narrator takes you in to the plot and until the end keeps you captivated. Will be booking my next trip to Savannah for sure!

If You liked the movie...

you will love this book. Rich story, great characters, and a feeling of authenticity comes across in the author's telling of his experiences. AMAZING

Wonderful

This was an engrossing story well read. With characters like Lady Chablis and Minerva, you'll be haunted for a long time to come. A true pleasure.

A wonderful portrait of Savannah!

I read this book years ago and loved it, and decided to listen to the Audible version on my way home from my first Savannah vacation. Like many people, this book inspired my initial interest in Savannah, and it was a lot of fun to revisit it now that I've been there and am familiar with the locations referenced in the book. It was very well narrated by Jeff Woodman, so it was also a treat to listen to rather than read. Also, as I started listening to it with my husband on our drive home, I think it helped me convince him that we should move to Savannah in a few years. I've been trying to get back to the South for over 13 years, so much thanks to John Berendt for capturing and communicating the magic and beauty that is Savannah!

Excellent story with superb narration.

The especially skillful narration by Jeff Woodman brings sparkle to this marvelous book. The characters come to life, enhancing the story without drawing attention from it. Delightful!

my new favorite book

What did you love best about Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil?

the character development was fabulous, especially Chablis and the narrator's funny friendship!

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

the most compelling aspect of this narrative is that it is based on a true story and so well written!

Have you listened to any of Jeff Woodman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no I have not but I really enjoyed it!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

this book really resonated with me and I was emotionally invested in the story. I didn't realize it was based on a true story until the end of the book!

Any additional comments?

absolutely loved it and I highly recommend it!

ENGAGING

What made the experience of listening to Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil the most enjoyable?

The narrator did an impressive of capturing the southern accent.

What other book might you compare Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil to and why?

I haven't read much of true crime, so I'm not coming up with anything. Though I'm told it's loosely based on facts.

What does Jeff Woodman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

All the characters!

If you could give Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil a new subtitle, what would it be?

I wouldn't. That title is perfect.

It Brings Savannah to Life

I recommend reading this engrossing book prior to a trip to Savannah. The author brings Savannah and its landmarks to life through his encounter with the city's eccentric characters.