30 years later, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" author is still exploring Savannah

The acclaimed non-fiction book "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" changed Savannah, Georgia, forever. Now, 30 years after the book's release, author John Berendt reflects on his impact on the city. Jeff Glor has more.
"CBS Saturday Morning" co-hosts Jeff Glor, Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson deliver two hours of original reporting and breaking news, as well as profiles of leading figures in culture and the arts. Watch "CBS Saturday Morning" at 7 a.m. ET on CBS and 8 a.m. ET on the CBS News app.
Subscribe to "CBS Mornings" on KZbin: / cbsmornings
Watch CBS News: cbsnews.com/live/
Download the CBS News app: cbsnews.com/mobile/
Follow "CBS Mornings" on Instagram: / cbsmornings
Like "CBS Mornings" on Facebook: / cbsmornings
Follow "CBS Mornings" on Twitter: / cbsmornings
Subscribe to our newsletter: cbsnews.com/newsletters/
Try Paramount+ free: paramountplus.com/?ftag=PPM-0...
For video licensing inquiries, contact: [e-mail]

[@bobbyhendley3084]

I remember when all of that took place. Part of the time while living elsewhere in Georgia and later in South Carolina. I even knew a lot of the people who were extras in the movie. Still have the DVD and watch it every few months just because it was so incredibly well done. Sorry to hear tho that the Lady Chablis has passed away. I met her in Columbia, SC where she was visiting a friend of mine. Now I’m going to have to watch it again.

[@user-zb7uh2ob1r]

Conflicted. Read the book when it first came out; lived downtown and loved it. Got Mr. Berendt to sign my copy at Shaver's when it first came out. I thought the book would be fun for Savannahians but there would be little interest outside of town. I was a bit off on that one. Still love my town but it's definitely not the same as it was pre-book. Some visitors are nice but we've tipped the balance. Downtown used to be inhabited by neighbors. Now it's mostly tourists. Downtown used to be full of fun, quirky shops. Now it's full of franchises and shops selling T-shirts. I understand progress and all that, but I have to say I miss pre-book Savannah. Don't blame you, John Berendt, for writing a book ypu wanted to sell, but I'm afraid you inadvertently killed the very thing that made your story special.

[@hildeschmid8400]

I believe people would have started to come to Savannah anyway. It's a beautiful city full of history, and if John hadn't written the book, Forrest Gump would have still put it on the map.

[@davidjohnston9356]

I did read the book when it first was released. I wanted to see this city very much and did a couple years later. Visited the cemetery and the whole experience. Loved the beautiful city and food. Thanks for the flashback.

[@hildeschmid8400]

I lived in the Savannah area when "The Book" came out. Everybody knew or was related to someone in The Book. I absolutely loved both Savannah and The Book! John, you wrote a wonder and entertaining non fiction!

[@michelegoff554]

Book is fantastic, great read.

[@kathyvaughn5546]

❤ Since seeing the movie I've always wanted to visit Savanah. This might be the year.

[@celebricats]

The ending comments are telling, "so many tourists". Indeed. So many of the locals don't go downtown anymore and all of the local residents have moved out leaving behind short-term rentals, Rich retirees and private equity firms. If that's not enough it's the drunken bachelorettes, the tour busses, the tours and tourists everywhere you go. There's literally no escaping it, and sorry but whatever eccentricities Savannah had are now a memory.

[@roberthevern6169]

Great to see Jeff Glor! And the movie was excellent! I always watch NBC.

[@RHCole]

One helluva novel

[@geegeelast7597]

Excellent book.

[@French-Kiss24]

Everyone should read his other book: “City of Falling Angels.” It’s about Venice. Great read . He was working on it when I had dinner with him as we were both guests. Turns out an old boyfriend’s family was highlighted in his “Garden . . “ book.

[@elizabethwestlake8896]

Clint Eastwood filmed another movie there a few months ago. It is called Juror #9 starring Toni Colette. There is a restaurant in the movie called ‘Annabelle’s’ that was the location of my son’s wedding reception last fall.

[@SurprisedBuffalo-ug3rf]

A great movie,and the actors!!!@

[@charleshall9488]

Great book and movie

[@PungiFungi]

Visited Savannah and the Lady Chablis passed away coincidentally on the day we arrived. Savannah lived up to the hype, never saw such a picturesque city.

[@ebybeehoney]

Thus was a great read

[@marytheresejacksonlutz2533]

I just read this book last year when we went to Savannah. Our tour guide talked about the transvestite-had no idea!

[@geraldlevine415]

Why doesn’t he walk away?

[@judd442009]

One of the hotbeds of MAGA cult movement.

[@user-zb7uh2ob1r]

What are you talking about? Chatham Co. (Savannah) is actually a little pocket of smart people who generally vote Democrat. Some MAGAs here, unfortunately, but they're definitely a subdued minority.

[@drewconway7135]

@@user-zb7uh2ob1rExactly. The MAGA nutters are mostly in NW Georgia (that’s MTG’s district), not the SE part where Savannah is.

[@kathybates1751]

To busy now. Homeless people and smell of urine on the street on my last visit. 😢😢😢😢