Now, I must admit to being slightly lazy over the Christmas holidays, I spent too much time watching marginally good Christmas films, eating too much good food and reading a few fantastic books. But I didn't update my blog. I feel quite terrible about it and hope that two posts on one night will make it up to myself.
John Berendt's book is a fascinating compilation of rich characters, nail biting stories and hilarious dialogue. His thoughtful approach and stunning prose kept me exhilarated to the very last page. I read the whole book cover to cover, I mean all of it, the pages without page numbers, the bit at the end about the author and all the characters. I had to read it all, because this book is so brilliant putting it down was not an option.
Part of me still wonders about this sleepy little place, the place that resists change in all forms, lives on with drunken drivers represented on the trees lining the beautiful squares they are so proud of. The graveyard that is a place for quiet reflection, black magic games and trysts. This is a place of all things so lost within itself it is unaware of the rest of the world. Its own gossip is more then enough to keep all inhabitants happy and at some points riveted. The cafe with the man who may eat or not, but always orders his food; the drag queen who is so spunky and powerful while always being true to herself (and yes honey she is a she!!!); the man who opens his house to all and sundry relying on his charm and dumb luck to keep him out of financial trouble and the woman travelling around in her car from one end to the other playing the piano for everyone and enjoying every minute of it. I would love to meet these characters and completely understand why Berendt had to write a foreword explaining that they really were real people, this book is not fiction though it reads like one. I suppose we only tell ourselves its fiction because it is one of the best books I've ever read and how could it possibly have really happened...but it did! And I love it all the more for that.
If I could only get my hands on his other book, its a travel book, but seeing as true crime was not a disastrous foray, I was thinking reading a nice little travel book might be perfect...if only I could find a bookshop with it in stock.
My verdict: read it, even if you think true crime is bogus or awful. It really is a complete and utter gem!!!!
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