I think what John Berendt's book does is challenges us to open our eyes and see the characters that surround us. He found these characters in historic Savannah and I agree that after reading the book, Savannah was a great deal more interesting on my return trips. However, I now see that my small town also contains some vivid and quirky characters. :)

I think when he wrote "the book" he did a good job capturing the spirit of the city. Savannah is unlike other cities in GA, especially when it comes to following a typical timeline (for example, try to do ANYTHING within a timeline...it may or may not happen!!). I love Savannah-ites b/c they are a little bit different from other Georgians, which is one of the things I see pointed out in the book

Oh, I don't think Kathy Trocheck personally feels that way, but she may reflect some feelings of her Savannah friends. There are mixed feelings about THE BOOK. Some are jealous that they were not included; some are upset about the influx of tourists; and some consider the people Berendt covered as lowlife transplants to Savannah and not the true city.

I haven't heard any Georgia authors making comments against John Berendt. It was a non-fiction book, so there may be some confusion in writing style.

I was surprised how bitter some Georgia authors are against John Berendt. In her first book, Mary Kay Andrews (better known as Kathy Hogan Trocheck) made snippy comments about the book and its author. Probably jealous.

Hi everyone! I joined this group not because I am into Southern authors but because y'all are near me! I live in Jesup! I would love to get to know everyone. I would also love to read the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, anyone got one they want to sell or loan? Feel free to email me, sheilanell40@gmail.com.
Thanks Sheila☺

I've read the book and thought it was great! And I just visited Savannah about a month ago, and you're right, it would have been a very different experience if I hadn't had all those characters floating around in my mind as I walked around.
He's got another one out, not about a Southern city though, it's about Venice.

If you really want a good feel for Southern ways - read Midnight in the Garden. In the south we just accept certain things that others might consider crazy. For us it is just a part of everyday life. I think you will see this when you read this book!!!

Hello all. I recently joined goodreads and was looking for a group on southern lit and tah dah, right? My particular interest is in rural literature, although an emphasis on the rural south. (Richard Russo's portrayal of a rural Maine town in severe economic decline is a mirror representation of much of rural South, including my home town in the outskirts of Appalachia).

Although John Berendt is in fact a New York yankee (!), I don't think anyone is able to visit Savannah, Georgia, without reading The Garden of Good and Evil. It is as much a story about the city as anything else. So, if we accept non-Southern authors into this forum, I postulate this book for consideration.