Comments (24)

What did you think about this title?
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Nov 16, 2023nocowl49 rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
Too sexually explicit
Jan 21, 2023tootiebooks99 rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
I liked the movie better!
Jan 08, 2023Luckybe rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
This story, written in 1994 and purportedly based on actual happenings in Savannah, Georgia reflect the hypocrisy, insularity, political corruption of the courts and police and debauchery of a large percentage of the citizenry of this…
Oct 15, 2022JCLHeatherB rated this title 1.5 out of 5 stars
This book somehow manages to be both dull as dishwasher and desperately offensive at the same time. The "fascinating" characters that author Berendt expects us to be captivated by are a pack of insufferable racists, homophobes, sexists,…
Sep 23, 2022
I loved this story of crazy characters, a murder and the setting of Savannah. A must read before visiting!!
Sep 21, 2022dissymissylessy rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
a murder mystery with tons of atmosphere. good? depends how much you like either factor. try it and see. made into a movie starring a mixture of locals and hollywood actors like kevin spacey, etc. i missed the strong mystery element i…
Jan 15, 2022Adventuresofafrenchreader rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
This book is divided in two parts. In the first one, Berendt introduces the city of Savannah through its architecture, its parks, and its residents. The first part ends with the news flash announcing the shooting by Jim Williams of Danny…
Sep 24, 2021lukasevansherman rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
This book was crazy big in the 90s. It even inspired a not good Clint Eastwood film. It's crazy mediocre, unless you've had a bunch of mint juleps. I couldn't help but hear Foghorn Leghorn's voice as I read it.
Jun 03, 2021stewstealth rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Well written narrative gives an interesting and quirky look at 1980's Savannah. Based on true events though written as a novel. Interesting characters abound. The prose gives a real sense of feel to the town. Very similar to the movie.…
Aug 24, 2020AnnabelleLee27 rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
Three stars for atmosphere and an enveloping sense of place. That said, I am not sure it is a place I'd want to stay or investigate much further. Perhaps it is a function of time but while there are plenty of interesting characters none…
Jul 05, 2019ea304gt rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Pulitzer nominated with a reason. Quite enjoyable. Very cinematic. Feels like a Fellini film in a way, where we're aware of John as the main character, but Savannah as a town takes the starring role. We follow John and stuff simply…
Feb 24, 2019kmobuckeye rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
So good! I don't usually like non-fiction, but this was definitely a crazy story. Now I want to take a trip to Savannah!
Sep 07, 2017KMJ_ rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This feels so remarkably like a novel, yet it’s a true story. The book definitely captures the feel of Savannah. As an outsider, Berendt was the perfect observer to capture how this crime affected the eccentric citizens of Savannah. While…
Apr 03, 2016grouchykitty rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Entertaining read with a variety of outlandish and often disgusting characters. Not very "true crimey" as it reads like a novel and it is not really centered on the crime. It's more of a character study on eccentricity and southern…
Dec 28, 2015CMLibrary_gjd rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
If you enjoy "slice of life" stories, this is a book you should read. One of those, too strange to be believed tales. Soap operas ain't got nothing on the city of Savannah!
booklady413
Aug 17, 2015
A southern story full of twists and turns and colorful characters. Through it all, the author, John Berendt is never fully exposed to the inner workings of the city due to its insular nature. As Berendt says on the last page of this…
bibliotechnocrat
Dec 28, 2013bibliotechnocrat rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Moody and atmospheric, this book immerses the reader in the quirky and bizarre world of Savannah Georgia during the events leading up to the murder of a young gigolo, and the subsequent trial of Jim Williams, the prominent society member…
Feb 27, 2013wendybird rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
One of my favorite reads of all time. Love it so much I have my own reproduction of the cover statuette, "the bird girl (of Savanah)." Beautifully written, and so atmospheric. I almost don't want to ruin it by writing my comments ---…
Jul 10, 2012hollyheartsYA rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I finally read the book of the movie which i love. So glad I did, it's a bit different and so much richer than the movie. Having been to Savannah once before it just made me desperately want to go back and since i love history the…
Nov 15, 2011
Interesting characters! Really a good read.
Jul 12, 2011MadReads rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is a true-crime novel but that's easy to forget. Not as graphic or in your face as an Ann Rule style true-crime novel, Midnight is more about Savannah and it's sense of place and the true characters…
Feb 24, 2011teacupfaerie rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A rich tapestry of characters, location, and tone. An interesting book, 1994 Lambda Award winner.
Jun 02, 2010tegan rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I don't regularly read non-fiction, but wow - this book really drew me in. I still can't quite believe that this novel is based on a real story. The book takes you to the city of Savannah, circa 1980s, and introduces you to a range of…
Dec 05, 2007Cabby rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Finalist 1995 Pulitzer prize.