Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

This was an 'it' book a few years ago, and my new fondness for audio books while I am driving or exercising is forcing me to diversify a little. In this case, finally reading such a recognisable book was really a good thing.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is an interesting blend of fact with a little bit of fiction... very Truman Capote.

Berendt himself narrates the story of Jim Williams, a Savannah native accused of the murder of one of his employees - a young attractive man called Danny Hansford. There is a strong suggestion by the prosecution that Hansford and Williams were lovers. Williams was a wealthy older bachelor in the antique business who seemed to employ Hansford to live with him for spurious reasons.

The case was interesting - Williams claimed self-defence, but no gunshot residue was found on Hansford. It took four trials before Williams was finally cleared. But more importantly, the novel paints a fascinating portrait of Savannah itself, a place Berendt had a growing passion for. He came on a short trip, and ended up returning for gradually extending periods of time, until it was clear that he really lived in Savannah, and only made the most necessary trips back to New York.

Berendt, a journalist by trade, approaches the story as it unfolds in much the same way. However, whereas in the book Berendt claims to have been in Savannah and acquainted with Williams and the action of the book long before the shooting, in reality he had only met Williams a year after he was arrested. He has fictionalised and added himself to aspects of the story that he was told of later, to paint a better picture.

Berendt, openly gay himself, paints us many interesting character portraits. The most notable (the one that "got to him" most), was the Lady Chablis, a pre-operative transsexual who never planned on actually having the operation. This feisty Southern Belle is one of the most memorable characters in the story, although not central to it.

Fascinatingly, Berendt openly explores the aura of voodoo and black magic that surrounds the south, and describes in detail the woman of power Williams hires to help him with his case. The title comes from a particular excursion she takes Williams and Berendt on, to a cemetary. She says she must work in the half hour before midnight to do good, and the half hour after midnight to do evil.

This was more enjoyable than I expected, and well worth a look. The Talking Book only goes for about three hours.