This was the very first work of Norman Mailer that I have ever read, and I must say that I was extremely disappointed. I had such high hopes for this novel, especially with its billing as ‘The Greatest War Novel Produced in This Century.’ But what a letdown! Every single war novel that I have read in the 20th century far surpasses this one. Mailer’s writing seemed forced. The way he wove the soldiers’ back stories into the narrative felt clumpy and the details were just not realistic. His portrayal of General Cummings’ thought processes bordered on the ridiculous at times. And to top it all off, none of the plot lines ever really came together for me.

Perhaps in 1948 when this book was first published, the idea of a General commanding an important offensive in a major war being secretly gay and very lonely intrigued people. However, reading it in 2012, the General seemed like an empty shell of a character. He was selfish and vindictive, and his closet homosexuality was an illogical excuse for his incompetence as a leader. His actions toward Hearn, a soldier on whom he had an unrequited crush, were cold, bizarre, and unconvincing in my opinion.

Croft, the leader of the reconnaissance unit that features throughout most of the story, was a cold, calculating, jealous, and ultra-competitive bastard. He never gets his comeuppance and his demeanor is never entirely explained. Mailer tries to present and define so many soldiers in such a haphazard style that as a reader, I never felt like I understood or related to any of them, least of all Croft. It’s hard for me to write here that an author of Mailer’s stature should have done something differently, but the book may have worked better for me if he had focused closely on three to five characters instead of attempting to portray so many so deeply.

The only positive that I’ll mention here is the idea of the reconnaissance mission that spans the majority of the second half of the book. But its execution, to me, just had so many holes in it. Cummings’ indifference from afar, the war’s accidental ending, Croft and his troops’ final retreat from a swarm of bees after the Japanese had, unbeknownst to them, already conceded defeat – it all amounted to a huge letdown after a long buildup. Perhaps Mailer’s intention was to show the randomness of war, the luck involved, and the fate of soldiers beyond exhaustion and on the brink of physical and mental collapse resting on chance. But unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me.

Sorry Norman Mailer, but if this novel is considered one of your greatest achievements, then I don’t think I’ll be reading any of your others.

I had expected so much more from a work that was supposed to be a classic of the war genre. It seems that Mailer’s attempt to capture the complexity and chaos of war fell short in many ways. The characters were not well-developed, the plot was disjointed, and the overall execution left a lot to be desired. Maybe I’ll give another of his works a try someday, but for now, I’m left with a sense of disappointment and a feeling that I wasted my time reading this book.

I find myself in a rather conflicted state regarding this book.

On one hand, I don't want to finish it because, quite frankly, I don't have much else to read at the moment. I've already reached the 300-page mark, yet nothing of significance seems to have happened. That might have been acceptable if the content was engaging in some other way.

According to the blurb, it's supposed to be a deep psychological study of "ordinary men in battle." However, these so-called ordinary men are far from admirable. They are mostly misogynist, racist, and completely self-absorbed and selfish. They're not out-and-out bad guys, but I can't bring myself to care about any of them. None of them are sympathetic characters.

When one of them gets upset or insulted, they immediately descend into a deep brooding, feeling sorry for themselves and lashing out with stereotypes at the race or class of the person who insulted them. Maybe I could try to view it from a feminist lens and say that this is the only way the patriarchy allows men to express themselves, but I don't even care enough about the characters or the direction of the book to bother defending them.

Today, during my hour-long bus ride, I was so uninterested in the book that I chose to stare out the window instead.

Well, I ended up finishing the book anyway. I think the main reason I didn't like it is that the blurb was completely misleading about what the book was actually about. As I plowed through the hundreds of pages, I grew increasingly impatient for the exciting things the blurb promised (like being "caught up in the confusion of close-armed combat and preyed upon by snipers" - which, by the way, didn't really happen). Regardless, if I had had easy access to other books, I definitely would not have finished this one.

The Naked and the Dead by Norman Mailer is a remarkable work of literature.

Written with gritty, journalistic detail, it follows an army platoon of foot soldiers engaged in the battle for the Japanese-held island of Anopopei.

Composed in 1948, it represents the best of twentieth-century American writing.

The novel is divided into four parts: Wave, Argil and Mold, Plant and Phantom, and Wake.

Each part contains chorus sections with play-like dialogue and Time Machine sections that provide brief histories and flashbacks of the characters' lives.

The story is set on Anopopei, a fictional South Pacific island, where American forces aim to drive out the Japanese and advance into the Philippines.

The focus is on the experiences of one platoon.

In Part One, Wave, the characters are introduced as they await orders. A naval bombardment occurs, and the men board a boat and head for the invasion shore.

Hennessey's fear leads to his tragic death, shocking the other soldiers.

Part Two, Argil and Mold, continues the campaign. General Cummings has a special regard for Lieutenant Hearn, and they have many discussions.

The platoon takes a Japanese prisoner, but Croft's cold-blooded act of shooting him reveals his true nature.

Gallagher receives news of his wife's death in childbirth, leaving him grief-stricken.

In Part Three, Plant and Phantom, Hearn is assigned to lead the platoon through the jungle and up Mountain Anaka.

After a clash with the Japanese, Wilson is shot and left behind. The men struggle to carry him back, but he eventually dies.

Croft manipulates Hearn into an ambush, resulting in Hearn's death and Croft taking charge.

The men continue their arduous climb, but many view it as a hopeless cause. Roth dies during a jump, and they finally give up and return to the beach.

They learn that the battle for the island is almost won, and surprisingly, Croft seems relieved.

At the end of Part Three, the remaining men discuss their future and the feeling of returning home.

Part Four, Wake, consists of a short chapter where Cummings reflects on the war.

He is disappointed with the easy victory and the lack of credit he receives. Major Dalleson wonders about the new training program for the next day.

The Naked and the Dead is a powerful and influential novel that offers a vivid portrayal of war and its impact on the soldiers.

It explores themes such as fear, courage, loyalty, and the loss of innocence.

Mailer's writing style is engaging and descriptive, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the world of the characters.

Despite being written shortly after World War II, the novel still holds relevance today, providing insights into the human condition in times of war.

It is a must-read for anyone interested in military history, American literature, or the study of war and its effects.

Graphic and uncompromising, Mailer's WWII novel offers a vivid and intense portrayal.

It takes the reader on a journey through an episode of the war in the Pacific.

The story follows the troops as they fight their way from one island to another.

With detailed descriptions, Mailer brings to life the harsh realities and brutalities of war.

The reader experiences the fear, the courage, and the camaraderie of the soldiers.

The novel provides a unique perspective on the war, showing not only the military strategies but also the human side of the conflict.

Mailer's writing style is engaging and powerful, making it difficult to put the book down.

Overall, his WWII novel is a must-read for anyone interested in history, war, or great literature.

The Naked and the Dead is not so much centered around strategy or tactics as it is focused on soldiers.

It delves into the dynamics between commanders and their subordinates. The manner in which men from diverse backgrounds handle being grouped together and compelled to cooperate. The continuous assaults on personal morality that war inflicts, and the way war stretches endurance and courage to their utmost limits. It also encompasses power dynamics, love and lust, and of course, death.

It requires a Tolstoyian endeavor to squeeze so many themes within the covers of one, albeit huge, book. And Mailer manages to... well, not truly reach the level of Tolstoy, but he does manage to enter the fray as a sort of Tolstoy-light, in the best possible sense. The Naked and the Dead is more accessible reading than War and Peace. It has far fewer characters, settings, and a narrower scope, yet it still manages to explore a great deal of the same territory in a meaningful and captivating manner. It's quite impressive, especially considering it was a work written when Mailer was essentially just a youngster.

"Barbary Shore" and "The Naked and the Dead" are among the first, most important, and trend-setting writings of the American Norman Mailer. A novel that he wrote at the age of twenty-five and that defined the bright part of his worldview and thinking style regarding the concepts of "the American man" and "the American war." This novel, however, is not the only important work of this talented writer that has been translated into Persian: "Barbary Shore" was published in 1948, only a short time after the end of World War II, and quickly became one of the most important war novels of the second half of the 20th century. Mailer wrote a large number of works throughout his long life, and among them, "Barbary Shore" and "The Naked and the Dead" are still considered one of the most serious, engaging, and influential ones.

Mailer's works have had a profound impact on American literature and culture. His writing style is characterized by vivid descriptions, complex characters, and a deep exploration of human nature and society. "The Naked and the Dead" in particular is a masterpiece that vividly depicts the horrors and absurdities of war, as well as the psychological and emotional turmoil of the soldiers.

Overall, Mailer's works are a valuable contribution to the literary world, and they continue to be read and studied by scholars and readers alike.

This one is widely regarded as a classic war novel, penned by Norman Mailer, which catapulted him into the ranks of the best American novelists.

Mailer wrote this masterpiece at the age of 23, and it took him a whopping 15 months to complete.

The story follows a select group of soldiers and officers engaged in a campaign to confront and capture a Japanese-occupied island during World War II. Mailer offers extensive dialogues among the soldiers, as well as the General assigned to the campaign and his various aides. Each character is carefully developed, with their backgrounds and perspectives revealed through a kind of "timecapsule" of their childhood experiences.

I don't think I've ever come across a more seamless and integrated description of the philosophy of combat and leadership than that presented through General Cummings and his discussions with his aide Hearn.

The horrors of killing, injury, and their effects on the various soldiers are vividly spelled out, with a compelling variety of outcomes, all filtered through the individuals' civilian lives beforehand.

The major irony of the novel lies in a platoon sent around the island to scout behind the lines of the Japanese defenses. As the group struggles to accomplish their mission, on the front side of the island, there is an accidental breakthrough, and the campaign comes to an unexpected and swift conclusion. Meanwhile, the small patrol on the backside of the line encounters conflict, betrayal, and the deaths of several of its members.

Thus, while the major action is recorded, careers are advanced, and the large, grinding war marches on, the insignificance of these few men, whether they have survived for another island campaign or the dead with little to give meaning to their ends, is magnified.

Sobering and insightful, this novel offers a profound exploration of the human experience in war.

Rating 4.2

What catches the attention are the opposing and contrary ratings that the reviews show. The majority of the scores for this novel were between 4 and 5, but some users (mostly women) gave it a rating of 1.

The most important reason that I think is the extremely anti-female view that almost all the characters of the US military in this book have towards women, and of course, the author himself actually had a particular prejudice against feminism and its movements.

But leaving aside this discussion, the novel was extremely influential. The author's pen and prose were really excellent, and the characters he created were by no means artificial.

Of course, the novel was very thick, and the small font means that if it is converted to a normal font, it will definitely be over a thousand pages. The main problems of the novel were also in this section, as it sometimes dragged on a lot, but this was also a platform for a deeper engagement with the plot of the story.... :)

P.S: A book that, regardless of its specific ideological and moral content, must definitely be read.

It has been a long time ago. However, I still remember reading this book around the same time when Terence Malick's film "The Thin Red Line" was in theaters, which was in 1998. This reprint was published in 2000. So, I am just making an educated guess about the exact time I read it, but that really doesn't matter much.

Mailer's epic novel was an extremely engrossing and beautiful story about men during wartime. The emphasis was very much on "men" too. As I recall, women were noticeably absent from the book. If there were any women, they only appeared in flashback scenes involving mothers and wives or girlfriends. This was strictly a story of brothers-in-arms.

Mailer wrote this book in 1950, at a time when epic war novels were extremely popular. It was only five short years since the end of WWII, so the wounds were still very tender. This may very well be the book that initially sparked my fascination with Mailer. Although this fascination has waned slightly over the years, it is only because I remember reading most, if not all, of his works. Someday in the future, I may very well revisit his works and reignite that old passion.

I went back through my notes and discovered what I had penned after reading this book approximately six years ago. I recall that I was somewhat frustrated with our ongoing war in Iraq, which is clearly manifested in what I wrote. Nevertheless, I currently remember The Naked and the Dead as an outstanding book regarding the realities of war.

January 27, 2006:

[The Naked and the Dead] is a novel that delves into the nature of man and illustrates the fundamental truth that humans adapt, for better or worse, to their environment. In the context of this story, the environment is the harsh, hostile, and deadly one of war. While some might be ashamed of the behaviors depicted in the story, one must bear in mind that it is the circumstances that create reality. For the men in this story, and perhaps for most men of war, death is an act to be carried out and/or experienced. It surrounds them. They inhale it with the death of those they know and they exhale it with the death of those who strive to kill them. The reality of war leads to death without conscience.

It is a change in circumstances that brings about a change in reality. For many, the shift in reality cannot be bargained. The reality of peace forever haunts the memories of a past reality of war. For some, the change in circumstances is disregarded and the reality of peace is lost. However, the most dangerous among us is the one who has lived in the reality of peace and glorifies an imagined reality of war. These are the people who carelessly wage war, subject others to a reality in sharp contrast to glory, and dismiss as insignificant the effects of war on those compelled to endure it.

This is not a war novel in the traditional sense. Instead, it delves into the experiences of Americans during war. But which Americans exactly? Mailer populates his story largely with misanthropes from the Depression era. He employs flashbacks, which he calls "Time Machines," to zoom in and out, aiming to craft an anti-war novel of the post-WWI variety. To a great extent, he succeeds in creating an anti-American novel characteristic of the 1950s, where those with the least self-awareness possess the sharpest insights. Does the combination of Tolstoy and Bertolt Brecht make sense in this context?

On the positive side, certain interactions between the characters are truly thrilling. The descriptions of the jungle and the Japanese give a sense of authenticity, making them feel like a genuine enemy. However, on the negative side, the main action doesn't commence until halfway through the book, and it's evident that it's pointless from the outset. Moreover, the work would have benefited from the hand of an editor. At over 750 pages, it feels excessive. One can easily tell that it's the author's first work.

Matt's review here serves as a good summary of my views, with the exception that the book's ending is deliberately designed to epitomize American un-seriousness and the pointlessness of the Army. It may seem silly, but in a strange way, it's effective.

In a sort of psychological Bastiani fortress of Buzzati's memory, the soldiers always remain on alert on this island of the Japanese archipelago, waiting for the ambushes of the Japanese. Every inlet, every thicket is potentially a hiding place for the Japanese for their ambushes... However, unlike the Bastiani fortress, here the battle really arrives and our soldiers find themselves fighting against the Japanese... Thoughts towards family members, mutinies, voluntary or involuntary suicides, forced marches, K rations, 3 hours of sentry duty each, wounded, death, orders executed, anti-Semitism, women left at home who betray, women who die giving birth to children, ass-kissing, "either you obey or court-martial or I send you to the front line in the first row", this and more in the most phenomenal literary debut that a writer could ever aspire to.

Labeling it as a war novel means diminishing it like no other novel in the world.