THE LANDMARK NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER, NOW A MAJOR MUSICAL COMING SOON TO BROADWAY • 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 • 30th Anniversary Edition with a New Afterword by the Author. 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 reads 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 reading experience. Brilliantly conceived and masterfully written, this true-crime book has become a modern classic.
Average Rating
Informations
About the author
John Berendt
Author
John Berendt is an American author, known for writing the best-selling non-fiction book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which was a finalist for the 1995 Pulitzer Prize in General Nonfiction, and The City of Falling Angels, which tells the story of interesting inhabitants of Venice, Italy, whom Berendt met while living there in the months following a fire which destroyed the historic La Fenice opera house in 1996.
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
by John Berendt
Books Like Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
If you're looking for books similar to Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
In Cold Blood
Truman Capote
A groundbreaking true crime narrative that revolutionized the genre. Capote meticulously reconstructs the brutal murder of a Kansas family and the subsequent investigation. Like Berendt's work, it blends journalistic reporting with novelistic storytelling. The book explores the psychological depths of both criminals and community. It offers a compelling, intimate look at a shocking crime and its impact on a small town.
Blood Meridian
Cormac McCarthy
A brutal, poetic exploration of violence in the American West. McCarthy's novel offers a dark, mythic narrative of human brutality and landscape. Like Berendt's work, it reveals the complex psychological underpinnings of violence. The book presents a haunting examination of human nature and societal tensions. It creates a powerful, immersive portrait of a specific time and place.
The Devil in the White City
Erik Larson
A gripping narrative that intertwines the 1893 Chicago World's Fair with a serial killer's dark activities. Larson masterfully weaves historical fact with suspenseful storytelling, similar to Berendt's approach. The book reveals the fascinating characters and hidden tensions of a pivotal moment in American history. It captures the complexity of a specific time and place with rich, vivid detail. The narrative explores the darkness lurking beneath a seemingly glamorous surface.
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
John Berendt
A definitive exploration of Savannah's eccentric society and a notorious murder case. Berendt's narrative captures the unique atmosphere of the Southern city with wit and precision. The book delves into the complex social dynamics and colorful characters of Savannah. It blends true crime with a rich, atmospheric portrait of a distinctive community. The work has become a modern classic of narrative nonfiction.
The Warmth of Other Suns
Isabel Wilkerson
A powerful narrative of the Great Migration of African Americans. Wilkerson provides a deeply researched, beautifully written account of social transformation. Like Berendt's work, it explores complex social dynamics and individual experiences. The book reveals the personal stories behind a massive historical movement. It offers a nuanced exploration of race, migration, and American society.
The Devil's Highway
Luis Alberto Urrea
A powerful narrative of Mexican immigrants crossing the Arizona desert. Urrea provides a deeply human account of a dangerous border crossing. Like Berendt's work, it explores complex social dynamics and individual experiences. The book reveals the human stories behind a controversial social issue. It offers a nuanced, compassionate exploration of migration and survival.
Helter Skelter
Vincent Bugliosi
The definitive account of the Charles Manson murders written by the prosecuting attorney. Bugliosi provides a meticulous, gripping narrative of one of America's most infamous criminal cases. The book offers an insider's perspective on a complex and shocking crime. Like Berendt's work, it explores the psychological motivations behind criminal behavior. It reveals the intricate details of a notorious investigation.
In the Garden of Beasts
Erik Larson
A gripping account of an American family in Berlin during the rise of Nazi Germany. Larson, like Berendt, blends historical fact with compelling narrative techniques. The book explores the complex social dynamics of a pivotal historical moment. It reveals the personal experiences within a larger historical context. The narrative offers intimate insights into a turbulent period.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Rebecca Skloot
A compelling exploration of medical ethics and race in America. Skloot investigates the story of Henrietta Lacks and her immortal cell line. Like Berendt's work, it reveals complex social and ethical dynamics. The book blends scientific reporting with personal narrative. It offers a nuanced examination of scientific discovery and human experience.
The Executioner's Song
Norman Mailer
A Pulitzer Prize-winning account of convicted murderer Gary Gilmore. Mailer's narrative explores the complex psychological landscape of crime and punishment. Like Berendt's work, it offers a deep dive into a criminal case and its surrounding community. The book blends journalistic reporting with literary storytelling. It provides a nuanced examination of American social dynamics and individual psychology.
The Poisonwood Bible
Barbara Kingsolver
A rich, multilayered narrative about an American missionary family in Congo. Kingsolver explores complex cultural dynamics and personal transformations. Like Berendt's work, it offers a deep dive into a specific community and its tensions. The book reveals the intricate relationships between individuals and their environment. It provides a nuanced exploration of cultural misunderstandings and personal growth.
Argo
Antonio Mendez
A true story of a daring CIA operation during the Iran hostage crisis. Mendez provides a gripping, detailed account of a remarkable rescue mission. Like Berendt's work, it blends factual reporting with narrative tension. The book reveals the extraordinary within seemingly ordinary circumstances. It offers insights into complex political and personal dynamics.
Random Family
Adrian Nicole LeBlanc
An immersive narrative of a Puerto Rican family in the Bronx. LeBlanc provides a deeply researched, intimate portrait of urban life. Like Berendt's work, it offers a nuanced exploration of a specific community. The book reveals the complex dynamics of poverty and survival. It provides a compassionate, detailed look at individual lives.
The Orchid Thief
Susan Orlean
A fascinating exploration of Florida's eccentric world of rare plant collectors. Orlean's narrative, like Berendt's, focuses on unique characters and a specific subculture. The book delves into the obsessive world of orchid hunting and the colorful personalities involved. It blends investigative journalism with compelling storytelling. The work reveals the extraordinary within the seemingly ordinary.
No account connected — sign in to comment.