Product Description

The best non-fiction novel since "In Cold Blood" is a true story of intrigue, murder, forgery and eccentricity set in the steamy, surreal atmosphere of Savannah, Georgia. The unpredictable twists and turns of a murder case are skilfully interwoven with a hugely entertaining first-person account of life in this isolated remnant of the Old South.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #192579 in Books
• Published on: 1995-06-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

From the Back Cover
The best non-fiction novel since In Cold Blood and a lot more entertaining' Edmund White
'John Berendt's enthralling new book is an exotic cocktail: two hearty measures of travel-book whimsy mixed with a slug of real-life murder, a dollop of old-world affluence and a sprinkling of off-centre sex... It's not hard to see why this has sent coachloads of tourists heading for the swampy Georgia coast' Robert Winder, Independent

'Berent - and the reader - are in travel-writer heaven... This is a book which leaves you amused, spooked and introduced to a new piece of America' Mark Lawson, Independent on Sunday

'388 pages of perfect story telling - wildly funny, occasionally alarming and utterly enthralling' Moira Shearer, Daily Telegraph

Customer Reviews

Just doesn't get any better
Loved this book. I had no idea what it was about since I hadn't seen the movie and had avoided the hype years ago. Now, reading it for the first time, I'm amazed. I wasn't too excited at first--the first half of the book is just okay; entertaining but nothing that great, but the second half took off and just flew! This book got me reading more southern American literature and I came across a fantastic book called "Bark of the Dogwood" by J.T.McCrae which was actually just as good as "Midnight."

"Midnight" is probably the only book on the bestseller list I've read that deserved to be there. Jim Williams is an amazing character, and a real person, or was. We will never know the real truth of what happened (don't want to give away the plot), but even so, it makes for one heck of an entertaining read. Would also recommend the books "Prince of Tides" by Conroy and "Bark of the Dogwood" for two other southern books that don't pull any punches.

Sweet Savannah
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.

One of the very best books to come out of the US
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.