On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

Comments on this board should be written with the assumption that not all readers have finished the book. Please avoid revealing any spoilers.

I plan to read this as it was my nomination. I read this quite a while ago (maybe 8 years ago) and didn’t like it. But my track record lately with rereads has been pretty good and I think it will be a great book for October. So we shall see…

I've read it too Lori, so won't reread this time, but I loved it. This book pretty much revitalized the city of Savannah, then Forest Gump finished the job. I thought the murder and the characters were all fascinating, and it is a great choice for a spooky month.

What I remember most is the Lady Chablis!

The graveyards seem to come to mind for me and the house.

I have a copy somewhere that I purchased years ago. I remember vaguely seeing the film for this eons ago but don't recall too much. If I can find my copy I'll be in.

It's a good one Franky. Just perfect for Halloween reading.

I have 2 book commitments for October but I’m going to try the audio of this one. I remember seeing the movie but I dont remember the plot.

So don’t give me a quiz over which character is who but the audio is fabulous. Reads like fiction. Some interesting people here. So far I’m loving this one.

That's wonderful, Laura! I've got my library copy and may start tonite. This certainly has some wild characters.

I need to look up all the names and write down things about each.

Ie)Luther-Fluorescent goldfish, poison, insects

This book was a lot of fun when I read it a couple years ago. I look forward to the discussion!

Some very interesting stories from Jim Williams in the first chapters. Little things do seem to be coming back to me as I read. I love the little idiosyncratic characteristics of Savanahians such as their love for parties, those that are rich are cheap (the lady who wouldn't pay the price for her iron fence but ended up getting it for a steal), and the suicide/murder couple story and the martinis at the graveyard. A truly unique place and people.

Lori
I know this is a nonfiction book but is it embellished? Did author have face to face experience with this group of folks?

Laura, the author lived in Savannah for a couple of years and did come to know all these characters while he was looking into the murders for a newspaper or magazine story. I think he was from New York.

Yes, Diane is right about the author. He was from New York and worked for New York magazine. He did live there and experienced these people but you may be right to wonder if he did actually fabricate anything. I don't know if he did or not, but anything is possible.

And I'm pretty sure he helped skyrocket Savannah tourism in the 90's. I visited in 2007 or so and it was packed with people and Paula Deen's restaurant was impossible to get into.

Laura, what I've found is that some people's names aren't their real names for example, the character of Serena Dawes was really named Helen Drexel who died 20 years before the book was published. Berendt created Serena as a composite character of many of similar types of ladies that he met.

So it makes me wonder whether Luther Driggers is real or fictional or based on someone real.

Recently I reread Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, I also listened to the audio version and watched the movie. I didn't recall that the book has many superfluous details included. The movie was the smoothest and most relevant version. My favorite character is Lady Chablis!

Judi wrote: "Recently I reread Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, I also listened to the audio version and watched the movie. I didn't recall that the book has many superfluous details included. The movie..."

This is the second time I've started this book, and I paused and almost stalled out again in about the same place as before. I'm not sure if I like the author's approach - I guess this could be called creative non-fiction? - but I think I stalled out when I got bored reading his capsulated mini-characterizations of what he saw as the quirky Savannahians. This time, however, I forged ahead and finally made it to Part Two, which is what the story is really about (I think). I think Judi hit the nail on the head with the reference to superfluous details, and that the movie was the most relevant version. I think I've seen the movie, but it was long enough ago that I could use a re-viewing.

Thank you, all of this is helpful. And the audio is fabulous! And lady Chablis, law!!!! She’s raunchy but love her!!!!

And the visual I had of her leaving with all those dresses when she was docked pay….just great!!!!

Rereading and loving every line of the beautifully written book!

I'm not a huge fan of nonfiction books, but I am enjoying this one as well. It definitely reads more like a novel. I can see now why Clint Eastwood had Lady Chablis play herself in the movie version. I doubt anybody else could have done justice to her.

The football references and the football mascots are so accurate for the south. A person in the south judges a good day by the fact if their team won or loss.

My original impression was 'I thought this was about murder,' but it isn't until Part Two that we really get to that part. I've wanted to read this one for ages, having been fascinated by the book cover, which reminded me of scales on which one might weigh good and evil. A little research turned up that the statue is 'Bird Girl' made in 1936 by Sylvia Shaw Judson. The two bowls in her hands are supposed, bird feeders. The photographer, Jack Leigh had been tasked by John Berendt with finding an image at the Bonaventure Cemetery. On the second day of his search, he discovered this statue, which added to the element of mystery in the book and helped catapult it to bestseller status.

At first, I was a little disappointed to hobnobbing with all these characters when I thought I'd be knee-deep in a murder mystery. However, the author's writing style grew on me, as did the characters.

My across the street neighbor has a replica of that statue in their front yard.

Love that statue!

Diane wrote: "My across the street neighbor has a replica of that statue in their front yard."

I have a replica of that statue on a shelf in my dining room.

Such a beautiful work of art for a garden or in this case the Bonaventure Cemetery. However, 'Bird Girl' no longer resides at Bonaventure. Due to the foot traffic from all the tourists who came to see her, some even chipping pieces off her base, the statue was moved to Telfair Museum. She was a significant draw for me to read this book.

How sad, Libby. The last time I visited Savannah (makes me realize how long that has been!) she was still there. I would definitely make a trip to the museum to see her now.

Sara wrote: "How sad, Libby. The last time I visited Savannah (makes me realize how long that has been!) she was still there. I would definitely make a trip to the museum to see her now."

I've only visited Savannah once and it was a drive-through on our way to a Florida destination. It was a stop of a few hours, enough to establish some wonderful impressions, and a hope to visit again for a longer stay. I would love to see 'Bird Girl' at the museum. I would love to visit Bonaventure Cemetery as well, to see the other statues. From online pictures, looks to be picturesque.

I was in Savannah a couple of years ago and saw Bird Girl in the Telfair. They gave her a place of honor and a complete explanation of why they moved her.

Diane wrote: "I was in Savannah a couple of years ago and saw Bird Girl in the Telfair. They gave her a place of honor and a complete explanation of why they moved her."

Reading this book makes me want to visit.

It's been years since I read the book, but I remember enjoying it! October is a perfect time to read with the spooky vibes! When I saw the movie, I thought they did a good job with it. I was in Savannah last year and enjoyed seeing the house and Bonaventure Cemetery. I love book settings that bring places to life!

Same for me, Mitzi. I never saw the movie, but for a book I read decades ago, this one has stuck with me with unusual detail.

Has anyone tried the Audiobook? I was thinking of giving it a shot if it's good.

Audio was excellent. Highly recommend. I think the humor was really good bc of the audio.

In reading "S is for Southern", I read that the NYT review of the book said the following:
"Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" might be the first true-crime book that makes the reader want to call a travel agent and book a bed and breakfast for an extended weekend at the scene of the crime.

I LOVE that, Tom.

I think it’s quite accurate, Tom.

Perfect. I have S is for Southern downloaded. Time to pull it up.