This book was very slow moving and while the story that it was telling was an intriguing one. There were numerous points in the book where I wanted the author to just get to the point. The characters were made to come to life, but though the reader knew them after well written introductions, the writer continued to try to make them life-like instead of letting the story carry the characters.
Hands down one of my favorite fiction works of all time. If you think that you know the story of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" because you have seen the crummy movie...WRONG! The movie chopped to pieces the smooth unfolding of this murder mystery based on true events. The characters in the book version are given plenty of time to reveal THEIR "good and evil" and they ALL become real and even endearing - despite some REAL character flaws! The character depiction and development is delightful as is the dialogue created (and recreated) by author Berendt. Much of it is laugh out loud funny - and it's ALL enchanting. If you grew up in or ever lived in a small town (especially in the South) where you know everyone's "idiosyncracies" you will be charmed and delighted by this wonderful book. I have read it several times and also listen to it on tapes. I have always loved Savannah and "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" really keeps Georgia on my mind.Read full review
Im a member of a local book club, in other words, a good excuse to get together every other week and discuss the current book and have a good glass of wine with great people. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is full of twists and turns through an isolated southern town. With everything from highly bred socialites to drag queens that live in the ghetto, this murder mystery will leave you intrigued. I really enjoyed this book because John Berendt has an amazing gift of painting a picture. You can really imagine yourself in the moment without taking forever to get there. The fact that the book is a non fiction I was able to search the characters names and found pictures and other information. I can honestly say there wasnt a thing I found wrong with this book, but I wish there was more! I would highly recommend this to anyone.Read full review
This is one of those books that once you start reading it, you don't want to put it down. There are alot of interesting characters in this book, which even made it more enjoyable. I found myself "laughing out loud" with some of the colorful stories & quotes. I wanted to read the book after watching the movie, and as always, the book goes into much more detail & depth. A wonderful read. Berendt is a great author.
I read this book while in Savannah for 3 weeks. I hadn't read it prior but a shop owner and lifetime resident of the city convinced me I should. The city I was learning to love because it is historic and eccentric came to life in the pages of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil". I sat in one of the city's wonderful squares facing the now famous Mercer house as I read. I had breakfast at Clary's and drank bourbon on the riverfront. All of this would just have been another tourist's time in a southern city were it not for this book. Passion, mystery, southern culture... Read it. Love it. Remember it - and go to Savannah, and Bonaventure cemetery in nearby Thunderbolt.
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