Prompt: Nonfiction Matrix

Title: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Author: John Berendt

Published: Jan. 13, 1994

Pages: 388

1. Where is the book on the narrative continuum?
      Highly narrative

2. What is the subject of the book? 
     The book depicts the author's discovery of what life is like in Savannah, Georgia and the trials of Savannah antiques dealer Jim Williams as he is tried for murder.

3. What type of book is it?
     Nonfiction: History (cataloged under History but also could be considered True Crime)

4. Articulate appeal
     What is the pacing?     a quick read with leisurely pacing
     Describe the characters of the book. Quirky, eccentric, and individualistic
     How does the story feel?  funny, gritty, and grim
     What is the intent of the author? To share his personal experiences in discovering life in Savannah and the interesting characters he meets there.
     What is the focus of the story?  One of the people the author meets in Savannah is arrested for murder. The story covers the subsequent trials and details of the crime as well as depicting the many eccentric people living in the city.
     Does language matter? Yes, the elegant, lyrical language is an interesting juxtaposition to the grittiness of the story.
      Is the setting important and well-described? Yes, the setting is important and well-described. The reader can feel like he is actually there.
     Are there details, and if so, of what? There are many details pertaining to the city, the characters, and the crime. Life in the city of Savannah is made very real.
     Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? None.
     Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience? Yes, it clearly relates the author's experience of the city of Savannah and its residents.
5. Why would a reader enjoy this book (rank appeal)?
     1. Detail
     2. Language
     3. Learning/experiencing