Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Rating:
Summary: This refers to the abridged audio CD....YUCK!
Review: I bought this CD for a few reasons: I LOVED the text version of "Midnight;" I adore Anthony Heald; I needed something to listen to on a Friday night driving a long distance with my baby daughter in tow. Two words: P and U. First off, whoever was in charge of abridging stunk: lots of repetition (we hear that Berendt lived in Savannah eight years over and over again). Also, a listener who has not read the book misses out on the Lady of 6,000 Songs and other characters (you're only introduced to Jim Williams, Joe Odom, the Lady Chablis, and Danny Hansford). At three discs, it ends way too soon. The main emphasis is on Jim's trial. Heald is fantastic at doing all the voices...he is the one redeeming factor in this mess. Very very disappointing.

Rating:
Summary: Delicious trash, but trash nonetheless.
Review: Sometimes even the most avid readers of literary classics just need to read a little good trash.
You know the kind-the somewhat seedy plotlines, with a touch of witchcraft, maybe, and of course the standard drugs and sex. This is the stuff that sells in America (see Neil Postman's "Amusing Ourselves to Death" as to why), because, more importantly than the delightfully sinful topics covered, one knows the novle is entirely irrelevant to their lives. "No deep thought required," cry out the books on most of the bestseller lists today. Sheer entertainment.
And that's not a bad thing, in moderation. It's perfectly fine for a person to indulge in a little light hearted activity, given that they've been working hard and just want a break. And, for such a break, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" is rather a good choice.
In this non-fiction murder mystery (imagine the wonderful luck that author Berendt happened to be in town at the right time), we are introduced to the beautifully isolated Savannah, GA. As the subtitle, "A Savannah Story," suggests, this book isn't about a murder at all-it's about a community, and a very interesting one at that. Berendt found in Savannah all he needed for a wonderfully juicy story-old money v. new money; snobby neighbors; wild characters with a carpe diem attitude; a drag queen (who, incidentally, is now famous after appearing in the movie version of the book); and a hidden homosexual relationship which, in the 1980s, shocked the town. And, a personal favorite, a woman who cannot tell the difference between male prostitutes and male art students from Savannah College of Art and Design.
But what makes this book really sell, is the fact that the entire book is told by means of vignette. No chapter is laboriously long, and those that are are cut up nicely into shorter episodes about the same topic. Berendt deftly moves the reader from person to person, idea to idea, knowing full well (as a magazine editor) that today's readers do not like to dwell for long on any one topic. Exposition is the great sin of journalism; it is boring and dry, and readers run for the hills (or, for USA Today). But there is no exposition in this book-merely delightfully entertaining, but disconnected, anecdotes that please but mean little in the end.
One feels as though one has opened the Tatler-"Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" is, in a way, a very long social column, relating the latest juicy gossip.
But please do not expect any connection between the stories, or to real life-thought Berendt attempts three short paragraphs of philosophy, they are shaky and questionable. His writing shines when he is merely relating events without attempting to convince us of their import; today's reader does not need to be convinced, and would be lost in any more than the three paragraphs of exposition that are included.
Whether or not this is "perfectly fine," is for the reader to decide.

Rating:
Summary: Exceptional...
Review: I'm embarrassed to admit that I had this book on my bookshelf for over three years before finally picking it up. Better late than never, right?! Now that I've finally read it, I must say how truly wonderful and exciting it is. The characters are so eccentric and bizarre, I had to keep reminding myself that these are REAL people. And John Berendt did an excellent job recreating this true-crime story into something so readable, humorous and delicious. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is fabulous...I couldn't get enough of it!

The main character in this novel is first and foremost, Savannah, Georgia. Such a glorious and mysterious backdrop for such an intriguing storyline -- and John Berendt fleshed it out so magnificantly, that Savannah breathes and lives as easily as those who live there. Mostly this book is about a rich antique dealer, Jim Williams, who was accused of murder. However, it is not an ordinary murder case -- all sorts of twists come out of the woodwork for this one, making this novel not only a true-crime story, but a mystery as well. Surrounding the murder aspect are the citizens of Savannah that the author comes in contact with: Luther Driggers, a former pesticide employee, who has a vial of poison potent enough to kill every one in the county; Chablis, the potty-mouthed drag queen and performer; Joe Odom, a modern vagrant who uses his home(s) as a tourist stop; and Minerva, the voodoo priestess who uses roots, herbs, and graveyard dirt to weave her magic spells.

Excellent writing and amazing storytelling make Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and must-have book. One of the better novels I have read this year. I watched the movie afterwards, but the book, by far, tells the story better. I recommend this one to everyone -- southern fiction fans will delight in its eccentricities, true-crime lovers will enjoy the murder case, and armchair travelers will be booking trips to Savannah soon after the close of this book! Good job, John Berendt!

Rating:
Summary: A great read
Review: Not one to interest myself in trends and fads, it was not until a year or so ago that I first learned about Midnight (because of the movie) and only recently got my hands on a copy of John Berendt's book. I have to say that I really loved the book, so much so that I read it again after my first time through--something that I haven't for years. I'll admit that the first time through I was fairly accepting of the fact that the book (despite the author's claim at the end that a few facts and names were altered out of necessity) was a fairly authentic account of the people Berendt had encountered in Savannah and, more importantly, the trial of the book's central character, Jim Williams. Subsequent "research" on the Internet led me to realize that Berendt's fictionalizing of the plot was apparently quite extensive. This did dampen my enthusiasm a little, but after reading it a second time through, there is no denying that Midnight is simply a great (and entertaining) read.

Rating:
Summary: Delightful stroll down Oglethorpe Avenue
Review: I picked this book up initially because I am a lawyer, and I was interested to find out how it happened that Jim Williams was tried for one murder four different times. However, I soon found out that this is probably the least compelling aspect of this book. While the trials are indeed fascinating, the real meat of the story is in the characterization of Savannah!

The author moved down to Savannah because he was enchanted by the tree lined streets and huge, graceful old homes, as well as its boast that it was the most hospitable city in the world. Soon he was enmeshed in both the best and worst Savannah has to offer. When you read this book, you feel as though you have met each of the characters. My favorites are Minerva, the voodoo priestess in whom Williams places all of his confidence for trial success, and Chablis, the flamboyant singer and transvestite. I especially enjoyed the description of Chablis's outlandish behavior at the black debutante ball.

These are only two of a host of fascinating characters. The City of Savannah itself is the most major character of all in Berendt's story. Savannah lures visitors in with its boasts of hospitality, but it won't let them stay too long. It chooses to remain a mysterious Southern lady, isolated from the rest of the world by geography, history, and philosophy.

Rating:
Summary: non-fiction travelogue novel with large doses of humour
Review: This is a comedy disguised as a well-written travelogue with a host of motley characters, that is somewhat coincidentally the story of a murder trial. The setting of the non-fiction novel is Savannah, Ga. which is known for its insularity, its welcoming attitude towards visitors, its economically varied history, its dedication to historic preservation,its parties and for its famous former residents, like songwriter Johnny Mercer and poet Conrad Aiken.The protagonist Jim Williams is a shrewd antiques dealer. He is fond of travelling to Europe on buying
sprees and of giving Christmas parties. He also has a gun collection, which becomes quite important later on. The book contains a host of comic characters treated in a someone deadpan style so that one might not recognize them in fact as comic. They include an ex-inventor who now wants to poison Savannah's water supply; a voodoo priestess Minerva and a black drag queen Chablis, the two funniest characters in the book;a sultry songstress; many super-rich Savannahs associated with historic preservation, one of the book's main themes; the defense attorney for Williams, who is more interested in UGa. football than in the trial. Williams and his assailant turn out to be latent homosexuals, another comic touch. The accused is convicted three times in Savannah; later acquitted in Augusta;he dies a year later of a heart attack, unable to enjoy his freedom--a fitting and somewhat comic end to this Rabelaisian tale.

Rating:
Summary: Adorable and accurate picture of the South.
Review: This book is a pretty good snapshot of some of the Southern randomness in Savannah, Georgia. After visiting Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana, reading this book made me laugh comfortably and uncomfortably. It was like visiting Georgia all over again with a Town'n'Country reporter for a tour guide. It was enjoyable, warm, and surprising.

Rating:
Summary: Superlative and Amazing!!
Review: Margaret Mitchell called Savannah, Georgia "that gently mannered city by the sea" and indeed, with Spanish moss hanging from the huge oak trees and the pale shine of the moon reflecting off the pillars of Savannah's stately mansions, the imagination can conjure up an idyllic setting where the clop of hooves on the cobblestone streets echo in one's mind and sweat from the glass of a tasty mint julep leaves a ring on the tabletop.

"You mustn't be taken in by the moonlight and magnolias. There's more to Savannah than that. Things can get very murky," says Jim Williams.

If anyone would know, it's Williams. He stands at the center of John Berendt's hugely entertaining account of a city, a murder trial, and the social machinations --- high and low --- that mesh on the fringes of the politely hushed and multi-layered Savannah society.

An antiques dealer whose parties became the talk of all Savannah, Williams one day finds himself in a lot of trouble...he's charged with the murder of a young gigolo, Danny Hansford. A part-time employee and house guest of Williams, Hansford had a reputation for his violent temper and his sexual proclivity to service both men and women. Williams claims self-defense and a trial ensues.

Through a complicated mix of legal maneuvers, Williams is tried four separate times for Hansford's murder, the only man to have achieved that distinction in the Georgia criminal justice system.

As compelling as the murder story and the resulting trial are to Berendt's tale, it's the magnificent portrayal of the history of Savannah and the cast of quirky characters that people the city that make MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL so successful.

Besides Williams, we meet Joe Odom, a former lawyer, tour-guide, and piano player, whose charm and talent are only outweighed by his audacious behavior.

Luther Driggers keeps the city on edge. An inventor who failed to get rich after discovering the pesticide and process that led to the flea collar, he now walks the streets with a bevy of flies attached to his person by threads, carrying a vial of poison that he threatens to dump in Savannah's water supply.

Lady Chablis, a drag queen and performer who takes a shine to Berendt, provides some of the more hilarious moments in the book. And then there's Minerva, a voodoo high-priestess whom Williams hires to ease his guilt by calming the ghost of the murdered Danny Hansford and to bring what luck she can to his side during his legal troubles.

Yes, this is a book about a murder, but it's so much more. We can thank Berendt for taking the scenic route through Savannah in the telling. The historical facts, the anecdotes about the rich and eccentric citizens of the city, and the compelling story of the forces --- both dark and light --- that come together in MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL add up to one wickedly funny, wholly evocative romp of a read.

Rating:
Summary: Pure entertainment
Review: Berendt has given us an absorbing and entertaining book with this. He is a compelling story teller and a confirmed stylist. This is one of those guilty pleasures that everyone should read, even if you might blush if discovered reading anything less than Dostoevsky.

Rating:
Summary: A riveting read....
Review: I thought John Berendt did a very good job of weaving a rich tapestry of eccentric characters and a fascinating setting, into an original true crime story. The book is based on an actual murder that set the precedent for OJ Simpson's defense, that is challenging the police and Medical Examiner's handling of the crime scene evidence.

Berendt spent eight years in Savannah, researching the book that originally started out as an article and it shows! In fact, maybe it shows too much...that is, what I gather, most of his critics have a problem with - INFO DUMP. Berendt does give reams of background material, but I never found it slow going. After reading this book you could picture Savannah and Berendt spun the same kinds of word pictures of each character. You'd swear you knew them all after reading this book.

Jim Williams, a wealthy antiques and collectibles dealer, was charged with the murder of his live-in assistant (and part time male prostitute) Danny Hansford and the trial set off a local firestorm.

As in the OJ case there were no witnesses - Williams charged self-defense, the prosecutor charged murder and the case went to trial...FOUR TIMES!

The original sticking point was the total lack of gun powder residue on Danny Hansford's hands, indicating that he never fired a gun and that Williams may have simply murdered him. Throughout the trials, Williams maintains his innocence as the prosecutor builds more and more circumstantial evidence that shows increasing animosity between Williams and Hansford, Hansford's wild demeanor and bad temper.

In one trial, a single juror, a woman who'd had to defend herself against a violent ex-husband, held out for acquittal, resulting in another hung jury. The fourth trial was moved to Augusta, Georgia - "the heart of the Bible Belt," where the homosexual overtones where not expected to play very well. In Berendt's story, Jim Williams begins telling him how Danny grabbed a gun in which the firing pin had been filed down and Williams reached into his desk for his own gun and fired, fearing the younger man's rage. But Williams lawyer comes in with a blockbuster piece of evidence - neither the police at the scene, nor the hospital staff had bagged Danny Hansford's hands at the scene. In fact, they'd been bagged with plastic bags, which would allow any gun powder residue to be washed away by the condensation. Williams was off the hook!

The book is a fascinating murder mystery, set in a fascinating town, with an array of exotic characters. There's Minerva, the voodoo princess, who helps Jim Williams commune with Danny dead spirit. Joe Odom is the house squatting, local entrepreneur. Lady Chablis (Frank) is a black transvestite who puts on burlesque shows at some of the local venues. There's even a man who walks the leash of a dog that died years ago, in order to keep receiving the $25/week for walking his late bosses pet.

This book is certainly worth reading if only to see the way our legal process actually works. Just as in the OJ case, money appears to triumph over justice in the end. But what else is new? When or where has it been otherwise? After spending nearly two years on the hardcover bestseller list, I guess most folks have read this...if you haven't, by all means check it out. It's a very well crafted read.