80 pages • 2 hours read
John BerendtMidnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
John BerendtNonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1994A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Introduction
Teacher Introduction
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
- Genre: Nonfiction; True Crime; Southern Gothic
- Originally Published: 1994
- Reading Level/Interest: College/Adult
- Structure/Length: Approximate 400 pages; approximately 15 hours, 4 minutes on audiobook
- Central Concern: Set in the beguiling city of Savannah, Georgia, the book recounts the true story of the murder of Danny Hansford, a young man involved with a wealthy antiques dealer named Jim Williams. As the murder trial unfolds, the narrative dives into the eccentricities, secrets, and intricate social structures of Savannah society. The story is as much about the colorful characters of the city as it is about the crime itself.
- Potential Sensitivity Issues: Descriptions of murder; mentions of anti-trans and anti-gay bias, including death threats, harassment, and discrimination; discussions of racism and racial prejudice; mentions of death by suicide; socioeconomic class distinctions and bias
John Berendt, Author
- Bio: Born 1939; American author and journalist; former editor of New York magazine; his debut book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, remained on the New York Times Best Seller list for a record-setting 216 weeks; recognized for his detailed character portrayals and atmospheric settings
- Other Works: The City of Falling Angels (2005); My Baby Blue Jays (2014)
- Awards: Pulitzer Prize finalist in General Nonfiction (1995); Southern Book Award for Nonfiction (1994)
