MetaChat - Norman Mailer writer,

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10 November 2007

Norman Mailer writer, macho man, film maker, wife stabber, Pulitzer Prize Winner, and candidate for Mayor of NYC died today at the age of 84. Slide show.

post by: arse_hat at: 18:27 | 7 comments

Every few years I re-read "The Executioner's Song". It's one of the best books I've ever read.

Mailer could definitely fit the description of a 'larger than life' character.

posted by essexjan 10 November | 18:34

I re-read it every few years too. I always have to buy a new copy as someone has borrowed the last copy and not returned it.

posted by arse_hat 10 November | 18:53

Did he spend any time in jail for stabbing his wife?

posted by deborah 10 November | 21:27

No he did not deborah. More from Adele.

posted by arse_hat 10 November | 21:51

Can someone explain to me why he was such a celebrity? He wrote a few very well-known books, but his fame seems to me (under 30) to be disproportionate to his accomplishments. Or am I just underestimating/ignorant?

posted by ibmcginty 11 November | 00:34

My answer ibmcginty would be the later. But for you all I can say is read the work (Mostly the non fiction and the "non fiction novels") and look at the man in the context of his time (post war USA)and decide for yourself.

posted by arse_hat 11 November | 00:46

Thanks, arse_hat.

I don't think I'd like him as a person. And for what it's worth I don't think I've read anything he wrote. I'll have to find a copy of The Executioner's Song.

posted by deborah 11 November | 15:15

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