Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil in The Dusty Bookshelf

Jul 13, 2014 Avanders rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, classics, given-recommended, drama, kindle

Reading this book was a long time coming. I finally picked it up because I was going to Savannah and, well, yes, of course, read "The Book."
So I did.

I enjoyed the first half, but felt like the author's journalist background was coming out more than a cohesive story. It was more like a series of mini-biographies on various interesting people in Savannah. Like those long articles where a magazine writer meets with someone of interest over an extended period of time and talks about their interactio Reading this book was a long time coming. I finally picked it up because I was going to Savannah and, well, yes, of course, read "The Book."
So I did.

I enjoyed the first half, but felt like the author's journalist background was coming out more than a cohesive story. It was more like a series of mini-biographies on various interesting people in Savannah. Like those long articles where a magazine writer meets with someone of interest over an extended period of time and talks about their interactions (there was a fascinating one with Fiona Appel in the past couple years...). I.e., it was very interesting and definitely put you in the mood of Savannah, but it wasn't exactly a story. There didn't appear to be a fluid tale coming out. It was more like "oh this person! Oh and that thing! oo, and then there was this one time... And oh yeah, she was interesting too!" And it was. Interesting. But not, as I say, a story. So the first half I'd give about 3 1/2 stars.

Except for the Jim Williams stuff which is the beginning, occasionally throughout, and most of the latter half of the book. And I'd give all that 5 stars. Berendt truly brings to life Jim Williams and his house (Mercer House), his experiences, his trade, his peoples, his parties, his personalities... I loved reading all of that. And Berendt did a fantastic job bringing to life the trialS related to Jim Williams.... without being boring or repetitive or, frankly, overly legalistic. It was just interesting and endearing and wonderful.

And what's it about? It's about Savannah. It's about the people in Savannah and the nature of Savannah and what makes Savannah, Savannah. This is apparently why the people in Savannah simply refer to this as "The Book." Because it did its job well. And it's also about a murder trial. And about big personalities. And about a journalist's discovery of a city, its people, and even himself.

And I recommend it. Just to everyone. It's a pleasure reading and a good one to have read.
FOUR AND A HALF stars.

Note: This book is true... mostly. As Berendt explains, not only have many of the names been changed, but the timeframe has also been changed, and perhaps small other details, to provide a story that's truer in "feel" than perhaps in explicit detail. ...more

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Jun 19, 2012 Renna Mira (AKA Enna Isilee) added it

Shelves: not-finished

Oh. How this book toyed with me. For one, it was quite enjoyable. I didn't really understand what it was about, but was able to appreciate the individual stories in each chapter. But the people in it were very foul mouthed. As a newcomer to the world of nonfiction, I thought to myself "This is just how nonfiction is. You'll have to get used to it."

But no. I refuse. Surely this can't be just how nonfiction is. And no story, no matter how true or entertaining, is worth suffering through at least ...more

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Apr 21, 2008 Celeste rated it really liked it

I read The Book several years ago. I just put in my to pile to read again after a trip to Savannah. What can I say the movie was good, but as usual didn't do the book justice. If you what a good read about a great city and its eccentric citizens, than pick up this book next time you pass a bookstore. ...more

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