This was, as advertised, the fastest 1,000 pages I’ve ever read. It was a lot more than that too.

I didn’t know anything about this story going in. In Dave Eggers’ introduction, he recommends going in cold, so I did. What a ride. I’m not spoiling anything below.

The first half flew by. Gilmore’s story was extremely well-told, and he is written as a character that is easy to root for. The narrative flows smoothly, pulling the reader in and making them eager to know what happens next.

The second half was a grind, which I think was by design. It is a long, detailed examination of the American justice system, the media, public voyeurism, class and race at that moment in history (one spoiler: things aren’t that different today). It delves deep into these issues, exploring them from every possible angle. The author goes to great lengths to describe the rationale behind things that seem completely inconsequential, providing a comprehensive understanding of the complex web of factors at play.

It shocks and stuns, infuriates and tires you out, but never bores you. Mailer is operating with a cast of dozens by the last 1/4, but I never had an issue keeping them straight. Each character is distinct and well-developed, adding to the richness of the story. Even in the last 100 pages, things were happening that made me gasp. The plot twists and turns, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat until the very end.

When I was done with it, my views on the American justice system hadn’t changed, but I think much more clearly about how and why I feel the way I do. This book has made me think deeply about these important issues and has given me a new perspective. I will never forget this book. Just wow.

I won't rate this book,

because I only managed to get through about a hundred pages.

However, I couldn't bring myself to read any further.

I intensely disliked the writing style.

The words seemed to lack fluidity and the story didn't grip me from the start.

It felt as if the author was trying too hard to be clever with the language, rather than focusing on telling a good story.

Perhaps if the writing style had been more engaging, I would have been able to continue reading and form a more accurate opinion.

But as it stands, I simply couldn't get past those first hundred pages.

Maybe someone else with a different taste in writing would enjoy this book, but for me, it was a disappointment.

The Executioner’s Song by Norman Mailer is an incredibly ambitious work that delves deep into the life, crimes, and the profound impact of Gary Gilmore.

Mailer’s painstaking research is evident throughout, as he explores every aspect of Gilmore’s story. His writing style is truly a force to be reckoned with. It combines the precision of journalism with the depth and nuance of a novel, creating a narrative that is both vivid and immersive.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this book is Mailer’s ability to capture the diverse voices and perspectives of all those involved. From family members to law enforcement, lawyers, and journalists, each voice adds a layer of complexity and authenticity to the story.

The book’s contribution to the understanding of Gary Gilmore as a milestone figure in the history of capital punishment cannot be overstated. His unwavering insistence on being executed, rather than pursuing appeals, was a game-changer in the death penalty debate. It marked a pivotal moment in American legal history.

However, the book is not without its flaws. The heavy reliance on graphic sexual details can sometimes feel gratuitous and overshadow the more profound and meaningful themes. Additionally, the book’s sprawling length can be overwhelming at times.

Despite these drawbacks, The Executioner’s Song offers remarkable insights into a complex and controversial topic. It showcases Mailer’s mastery of narrative nonfiction and is a must-read for anyone interested in the historical and ethical implications of the death penalty.

Overall, while I ultimately decided not to finish the book due to its flaws, I still recognize its significance and the value it holds for those willing to engage with its complex subject matter.

"Por qué, para demostrar que matar es un crimen, matamos a quienes matan?"

This thought-provoking question makes us deeply reflect on the nature of justice and punishment.

We often think that by taking the life of a murderer, we are sending a strong message that killing is unacceptable. However, what have we really achieved?

Will this act truly reduce the number of assassinations?

It seems that this approach may not be as effective as we initially thought.

This impactante obra (impressive work) challenges our traditional观念 of justice and forces us to consider alternative ways of dealing with crime and violence.

Maybe there are other means, such as rehabilitation and education, that can have a more positive and lasting impact on society.

We need to look beyond the immediate desire for retribution and think about the long-term consequences of our actions.

Only in this way can we hope to build a more just and peaceful world.

This is a novel based on the real story of a man who, unfortunately, is all too real. He is a murderer, a manipulator, a born criminal who, upon receiving the death sentence, refuses to appeal and decides to fight for his own death. It seems absurd, and indeed it is as you read about all the obstacles placed in his way.

But what is truly interesting is the above, how he is, his youth, his life, how he becomes that remorseless murderer. And what he calls "love".

It is a hard-hitting novel that reflects American society, from the lowest spheres to the middle and upper classes, and their different attitudes towards crime, family, justice, the law...

In the Summer of 1976, Max Jensen had been married for one year. He had just completed his first year of law school. Somehow, he managed to secure a job working nights at a gas station in Utah. One fateful night, Gary Gilmore pulled in and, to Jensen's horror, put a gun to his head. He then took whatever money was available. After that, Gilmore said, "This one's for me" and callously shot Jensen in the head.

In the Summer of 1977, I too had been married for one year. I had just finished my first year of law school. Lacking the right connections, I managed to get a job working nights at a secluded little gas station outside Pittsburgh, PA. One night, around closing time, two young men walked into the station. One of them pulled a gun, held it against my head, and led me into the bathroom. They took the money that was on hand. I felt the cold barrel of the gun on the back of my head as they demanded I open the safe. I truthfully told them I didn't know the combination. They then told me to turn around. Expecting a bullet, I was instead sprayed with mace.

In 1979, I read The Executioner's Song. It's fair to say that I had a vested interest in the story, given my own similar experience. The events that had happened to me and to Max Jensen were both terrifying and life-altering. Reading about Gilmore's actions in the book brought back those memories and made me reflect on the randomness and violence that can occur in life.

I had this book firmly placed on my list as a "must-read classic". However, I have no idea where that classification originated from. In fact, it turned out to be one of the most dreadfully boring books I have ever had the misfortune to read. I can hardly believe that I managed to plough through more than 1,000 pages of excruciatingly detailed narration.

The book delved into the true crimes, trial, and execution of Gary Gilmore. I'm not giving anything away here as it's right there on the book jacket. After reading about how each person was dressed, how they were raised (even those minor players whose names you can forget almost immediately!), their exact words in every precise circumstance, the trial, and the legalities of the appeals... I found that I didn't really learn all that much about the US court system, except that it seems to be extremely convoluted.

Nor could I truly bring myself to care about any of the "characters" in the story. I highly doubt that this book is likely to change the minds of those who are in favor of the death penalty, assuming that was the author's intent. The bottom line is: I'm left wondering exactly what the point of this book was.

I promise to write something more extensive, yet I am truly appalled by this book for numerous reasons.

Firstly, the portrayal of the Mountain West and the redneck behavior of Gary, Nicole, and all the other Mormon losers in the book, along with the cynical (and crocodile-teary-eyed) behavior of Schiller and the press, made me physically queasy. It seems that Mailer was not truly bothered by any of this. I despised every single character except for Mikal. The rest were just reprehensible idiots. The entire cast seems to be straight out of an Ayn Rand orgy of self-centered narcissism.

Secondly, there is the ambiguity of Mailer in terms of his own participation in the narrative. He admits in the afterword that it was a collective work, but his own opinion or judgment of the behavior alluded to above is unclear. Although one could argue that he was complicit since he exploited the same data as Schiller to write the book.

Thirdly, there is the moral quagmire that was created here with the reinstatement of the death penalty and the reclamation of Gary Gilmore's "right to die." The whole twisted mess about "poor Gary" infuriated me as there were hundreds of pages dedicated to it, while barely two pages were given to the two people he murdered in cold blood. I think he should have been held in solitary confinement indefinitely rather than having the state do what he, a convicted killer who abused everyone he ever knew, asked for.

I also don't understand why this work deserved a Pulitzer since it was not individually authored by Mailer but merely edited by him. Even if The Ghost Writer was not Philip Roth's greatest work, it was still better than this. And although I never read Birdy by William Wharton, if it is anything like the film, perhaps it deserved the Pulitzer over this one.

As I said, I find the book enigmatic at best and cynical/sensational at worst.

My rating of all the Pulitzer Winners: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/142318.Pulitzer_Winners

Brilliant!

This word truly encapsulates something extraordinary. It represents a level of excellence that is remarkable and worthy of admiration.

When we encounter something brilliant, it has the power to captivate our attention and leave us in awe. It could be a brilliant idea, a brilliant performance, or a brilliant piece of art.

Brilliance often shines through in the details, in the unique perspective, or in the innovative approach. It stands out from the ordinary and makes a lasting impression.

Those who possess brilliance are not afraid to take risks and think outside the box. They have the courage to pursue their passions and bring their creative visions to life.

In a world that is constantly evolving, brilliance is what drives progress and innovation. It is what makes us dream bigger and reach for the impossible.

So, let us celebrate the brilliant minds and the brilliant achievements that surround us. Let us be inspired by their example and strive to add our own touch of brilliance to the world.

Because in the end, it is the brilliant moments that make life truly unforgettable.

A beast of a book indeed! It is truly impressive for all the minute details that have been explored within its pages. However, I must admit that I didn't always find myself completely engaged. At times, I would have preferred a more concise and shorter version of the story. Nevertheless, it contains some extremely powerful and thought-provoking reflections on humanity and the death penalty. These themes still seem highly relevant in today's society, which is perhaps why this book has rightfully earned its status as a classic. It makes one stop and think about the complex nature of our species and the moral implications of certain legal practices. Despite its length, it manages to leave a lasting impression and stimulate meaningful discussions about important aspects of our lives and the world we live in.

**The Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer**

The Executioner's Song, a Pulitzer Prize-winning true crime novel by Norman Mailer, was published in 1979. It vividly portrays the events surrounding the execution of Gary Gilmore for murder by the state of Utah.

Mailer's approach is exhaustive as the book is based almost entirely on interviews with the family and friends of both Gilmore and his victims. This allows for a comprehensive and detailed account of the story.

The book is divided into three sections. The first section focuses on the events leading up to the murders, providing insights into Gilmore's background and the circumstances that led to his actions. The second section details the trial and legal proceedings, including full documentation of Gilmore's court appearances. The final section chronicles Gilmore's decision to demand his execution rather than continue the appeals process, and the events that followed.

The Executioner's Song is not only a gripping true crime story but also a profound exploration of human nature, justice, and the death penalty. It offers a thought-provoking look at the complex issues surrounding capital punishment and the impact it has on the lives of those involved.

Overall, The Executioner's Song is a remarkable work of literature that has had a significant impact on the genre of true crime writing. It remains a relevant and important book that continues to be studied and discussed today.

"If a son-of-bitch don't want to get himself capital punished he shouldn't have done the murder in the first place." ---Gary Gilmore.

Gilmore is indeed one of those peculiar figures who, perhaps unconsciously, altered the course of American history. His insistence on being executed by the state of Utah in 1976 led to the revival of the death penalty in the United States.

Norman Mailer, making use of the taped conversations with Gilmore in prison, made a decision to attempt a non-fiction novel. This novel aimed to depict a lifelong loser who appeared determined to have himself sent before the execution squad.

The book is written in the concise and understated prose characteristic of the American West, endowing it with a neo-Hemingway quality.

A strange fact is that Gary was the brother of Nikal Gilmore, an ace reporter for ROLLING STONE. Nikal later wrote his own book about his infamous sibling, further adding to the complex and captivating story of the Gilmore brothers.