 The cover of the 1994 book, which features the Bird Girl sculpture. | |
| Author | John Berendt |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Non-fiction novel |
| Publisher | Random House |
Publication date | January 10, 1994 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (hardback and paperback) |
| Pages | 389 |
| ISBN | 0-679-42922-0 |
| OCLC | 27975809 |
| 975.8/724 20 | |
| LC Class | F294.S2 B48 1994 |
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is a non-fiction novel by John Berendt. The book, Berendt's first, was published on January 10, 1994,[1] and follows the story of Jim Williams, an antiques dealer on trial for the killing of Danny Hansford. Subtitled A Savannah Story, with an initial printing of 25,000 copies,[2] the book became a New York Times Best-Seller for 216 weeks following its debut and remains one of the longest-standing New York Times Best-Sellers.[3]
Berendt combined self-witnessed experiences during his time living in Savannah (roughly four years after the shooting) with stories from the preceding years recounted to him by locals; he catches up with proceedings around the book's mid-point. Williams was a free man during Berendt's five years in Savannah. The author took some liberties with his writing, including creating a relationship between Joe Odom and Nancy Hillis.
The character Serena Dawes was based on silent-film actress and heiress Helen Avis Drexel, while voodoo priestess Valerie Boles was the inspiration for Minerva.
The book was adapted for Clint Eastwood's 1997 film, with several characters' names changed to protect their privacy. Maybe to "protect the innocent," said Sonny Seiler, Williams's attorney. "Well, I don't know how innocent they were, but he didn't change any of the facts."[4] John Lee Hancock wrote the screenplay, after Berendt favored his script over that of Alfred Uhry.[5]
The book's title is shared by the title of chapter 18. Berendt dedicated the book to his parents.
- ^ LLC, New York Media (1994-01-17). New York Magazine. New York Media, LLC. p. 20.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
wewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 2008-09-29. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
- ^ LLP, Bouhan Falligant (2014-04-04). "Sonny with a Chance of Midnight". Bouhan Falligant. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
- ^ G&G Reads: A Conversation with John Berendt. 29 minutes in. Retrieved 2024-05-03 – via www.youtube.com.