Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
Book Review: One of the very best books to come out of the US
Summary: 5 Stars
My husband and I fought over this book whilst on holiday in California in the summer of 1999. When we got home to England we lent it to some friends who loved it as much as we did and in the spring of 2000 the four of us went to Savannah, renting a house in the Historic District.We had a wonderful time and were fortunate enough to be able to see a performance by the Lady Chablis, a major character in the book.
This book brings the character of Savannah and its people to life in a way that I have not previously experienced with other travel books - and I am a voracious reader. As others have said, you cannot NOT want to visit Savannah when you have read 'The Book' (as it is known there), nor will your visit be a disappointment. John Berendt has captured the essence of the place. I have seen nothing from him since - such a shame, but I doubt that he could match Midnight. It really is a one-off.
Book Review: A Southern morality play
Summary: 4 Stars
Part National Geographic style exploration of a foreign and unusual culture, Savannah, and part a crime thriller. As a Northerner viewing this city the author became a bystander observer of one of it's of one of it's most notorious murder trials.This tale is narrated with a wry humour and sympathy for it's main characters.
Book Review: Superb
Summary: 5 Stars
Well, I'm into my third reading of the book, and there will no doubt be many, many more. It is certainly one of the best books that I've read; the setting, characters and plot all come together for one of those unique stories that you just can't get enough of. To classify this book is impossible--a mix of fact and fiction, it was published as a non-fiction book, but the author admits to gross alterations for sake of plot, etc. Whatever the case, this book became a hit and really put Savannah, Georgia on the map. If you like a quirky, intiguing read, unique setting, and colorful characters, and for some reason have yet to read Midnight, perhaps it's time to do so.Book Review: Sweet Savannah
Summary: 5 Stars
Anybody who did not grow up in the American south will be amused and charmed by the characters portrayed in this book. Anyone who grew up in the south will really understand the characters because they will almost assuredly know someone in their hometown that fits the same description. I was able to put different names on several of the people portrayed in this book and thus picture them with perfect clarity. No matter where one might live in the south, if you haven't been gobbled up by the so-called new south, you will feel like you have known these people for years.The story is as intriguing as the characters in it and the reader will find themselves drawn more and more into the story. I finished the last one hundred and seventy-five pages in one sitting. I was so caught up in what was going on that I couldn't put the book down and ended up going to be around 2:30 in the morning. Berendt develops the characters so well that one really begins to care about what happens to them and what they do next. This is one amazing book.
When the movie came out I really didn't think I would like it and didn't see it until a few months ago. After seeing the movie I just had to read the book and I am glad I did. There are some differences in the movie and the book and while the movie is good, the book is better. In fact, I have seldom read a book that I liked as much as this one. John Berendt had a lot of good material to start with to be sure, but his wonderful style of writing makes the story entrancing. It is clear that Berendt considers many of these people his friends and that they feel the same way about him. That he cares deeply about both the people and the story comes through very clearly and is part of the reason the reader will also begin to care.
In case you haven't seen the movie I am not going to give away any of the story in this review but whether you have seen the movie or not, do not miss the book. Beg, borrow or buy, I don't care how you get this book but I highly recommend that you read it.
Book Review: Hard going
Summary: 2 Stars
Unlike previous reviewers I found this book very hard going and rather dull. It did not captivate me at all and i found it took real determination to finish it. Part of the problem was that although writen in story format it really is a travel book . If I were planning a trip to Savanna then I would have been far more interested .