Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

I had this book for quite a while for I actually read/listened to it. I had heard that it was a good book, and it came highly recommended, but I knew nothing about it. The title itself may be think that it was a lascivious romp, and although it had been highly recommended, I really had to be in the right mood. When I finally did start the book, it was ENTIRELY different than I had suspected! It was a good book, but there was no lascivious romp :-).
It was purported to be a "true crime", and I suppose in some ways it was, but it was more society and history than the crime, which didn't occur until over half way through, and the crime itself was not the basis.
It was a view of the city of Savannah, primarily in the 70s and early 80s, and the way it operated and the feelings and sentiments of the "important" residents. The characters fully developed, and although one got feelings that one should "like" or "dislike" individuals, enjoyment of the book was not based on whether or not the characters were likable. I really got the feeling that a picture was being painted, complete with the flaws, but no judgment was required.
As I said, I don't really see it as a "true crime". The crime was much more a sort of a PART of the picture, and there were several trials about it, but neither the crime itself nor the trials appeared to be the true essence of the book. No, let me take it back: the title is based on the activities of the main defendant. He hired a witch doctor to make his side win. She was a true character on her own! And the fact that her activities formed the base of the title indicate how much the whole incident was just a PART of society. And I learned an awful lot about Savannah Georgia! The fact that it was during the 70s and 80s makes me wonder about what I know about US history and society! It also makes me VERY happy that I live in Illinois instead of Georgia!

Interesting stuff, under 400 pages but so much stuff has been crammed in. You have the main plot, a murder? A trial, another trial, another trial, another trial and then you have lots of other plots revolving around that event. Some wonderful characters, most of them are eccentric, like to party, drink loads and love Savannah. By far the best character was The Lady Chablis, she was fantastic, it's great to see that she played herself in the movie, you can really see her demanding the role.

One issue I had with the book was me! The town has changed for 100 years, it has kept its traditions whilst the rest of the world moved on and I struggled to get a grip on that, I kept forgetting that it starts off in the 1970's, as I was reading it really does feel much further in the past and when somebody starts watching TV is was "whhhaaaaaaa????"

Enjoyed the book and highly recommend you read this.