Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
by John Berendt
Narrated by Jeff Woodman, Will Damron, John Berendt
Why Listen to This Audiobook?
The author narrates his own true crime story, and somehow that makes Savannah feel like a city that swallowed him whole.
- Great if you want: true crime that reads like Southern Gothic fiction
- Listening experience: languid and atmospheric — let Savannah's strangeness wash over you
- Narration: Berendt's own voice anchors the memoir feel; Woodman handles the color
- Skip if: you need a tight plot — this meanders by design
Listen to Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil on Audible →
About This Audiobook
A journalist's extended stay in Savannah, Georgia becomes an immersive journey into the city's eccentric society and shadowy secrets. When a prominent antiques dealer shoots his young companion, claiming self-defense, the ensuing murder trials expose the intricate web of relationships binding Savannah's elite, outcasts, and colorful characters. Berendt weaves together true crime with Southern Gothic atmosphere, introducing readers to unforgettable personalities including a drag queen, a voodoo priestess, and aristocratic socialites who inhabit a world where tradition and scandal intertwine.
The multi-narrator approach elevates this audiobook experience significantly. Jeff Woodman, Will Damron, and author John Berendt himself bring distinct voices to different sections, creating an intimate storytelling dynamic that mirrors the book's layered narrative structure. Woodman's measured delivery captures the languid pace of Southern life, while the varied narration styles help distinguish between the numerous memorable characters populating Savannah's social landscape. The audio format particularly enhances Berendt's rich descriptive passages, allowing the sultry atmosphere and regional dialects to come alive through skilled vocal interpretation.