Gary Gilmore's life is presented in a maniacal account, especially the last 9 months of his life, from his release to the double homicide and the subsequent death sentence.

It is chilling, disturbing, and suffocating. If it weren't for some verbosities in the second part of the book, I would have given 5 stars without a doubt.

It is an absurd work. Shocking.

The story of Gary Gilmore is a complex and controversial one. His actions led to tragic consequences, and this account delves deep into the details.

The author's description of the events and Gilmore's state of mind is vivid and intense.

Despite the flaws in the book, it still manages to grip the reader and make them think about the nature of crime, punishment, and the human psyche.

I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to dnf (abbreviation for "do not finish") at 35%. This decision isn't because the work isn't good. In fact, it is good, extremely good. However, it is just incredibly long.

I've been laboriously working my way through this for more than 6 months and have only managed to reach this point. Even though it was a relatively easy reading experience and didn't feel like it was dragging on for me.

Oh, well. I guess it's time to move on to shorter reads that might perhaps be slightly less great. But at least I won't be spending such a long time on a single piece of work. Maybe I'll discover some hidden gems among the shorter works that I might have overlooked otherwise. It's all part of the reading journey, and sometimes we have to make these choices to keep the process enjoyable and diverse.

Mailer delved deep into the world of Gary Gilmore, and it was by no means a pleasant place.

He must have had an abundance of access to this individual.

This was Mailer's endeavor to create a non-fiction work in a narrative style similar to Capote's, and he succeeded.

Just as stark and alarming as "In Cold Blood" is, Mailer's proficiency in the English language, his meticulous attention to detail, the considerable length of the novel (it is indeed a long one), and the subject matter all contribute to making "Executioner's Song" a classic of this genre.

It stands out for its ability to draw the reader into the complex and disturbing story of Gary Gilmore, presenting a vivid and unflinching portrayal of a man on death row.

Mailer's masterful use of language and his comprehensive exploration of the subject matter make this novel a must-read for those interested in true crime and the art of non-fiction writing.

**Composizione**

It is not pleasant to abandon a book, especially if it is written by an author who has delighted you on other occasions. Unfortunately, my relationship with "Il canto del boia" has been difficult from the start. I don't like chronic novels, and this one is very much so. I don't like traitors, thieves, assassins, and the protagonist is an ex-convict whose actions and interactions Mailer describes with a prose that doesn't even seem to be his. It is a profusion of imperfects (understood as verbs), of useless minor characters, a whole Gary-minute-by-minute as if Norman, like Alexandre, had written in a hurry.

We are in the early 1970s in America. The overall picture reveals that people get married too young, have children too lightly, and with equal lightness, they commit crimes to pay off their debts. Gary is a drunken loser who abuses his conditional freedom and the affection of his relatives who have exposed themselves so that he can be granted it. He has a terrible relationship with money, work, alcohol, women... But more than the character, it was Mailer's prose that weighed on me. Was it really the same wise man who wrote "The Match" who was writing this?

It seemed like what in the second grade of elementary school was called a composition, that is, the intermediate step between a thought and a theme. I remember that some people would stuff it with everything, punctuating it with: and then, and he, and she, and after...

I had the objective of reaching at least 20% of the book (page 200 or so). I was willing to endure it if within that range the register changed; but it didn't happen, and my patience ran out. It had become like listening to any loudmouth who rants loudly on a bus, generating fear and embarrassment, aiming at both to offer his own sad human spectacle. I don't give a thousand pages of my time to a book of this kind.

It is not pleasant to abandon a book because you always have the doubt of having done it before a possible turning point. After abandoning it, I went to read the back cover: it was useful to me to intuit the overall meaning of the book and to deduce that the turning point, in this case, could only have disappointed me further. Mailer won the Pulitzer with this text, taking inspiration from the true story of Gary Gilmore.

The Wiki page seems better to me than the first two hundred pages of the Pulitzer.

https://it.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_...

ABBANDONATO

Soundtrack:

There was a space in his stomach that suffered from hunger if she didn't speak. “Have you ever heard the song Backstabbers?”

https://youtu.be/QcAt3le3oas

This is one of Mailer’s best (and perhaps longest?) books, and it is truly a page-turner.

Who really cares that Mailer appears to have been copying Truman Capote?

Mailer was, after all, a brilliant imitator.

This ability to imitate was his core competency.

He had a remarkable talent for taking the styles and techniques of others and making them his own.

In this book, we can see the influence of Capote, but we can also see Mailer’s unique voice and perspective.

The story is engaging and full of twists and turns that keep the reader hooked from beginning to end.

Mailer’s writing is vivid and descriptive, painting a detailed picture of the characters and their world.

Overall, this is a book that is well worth reading, regardless of whether or not you think Mailer was copying Capote.

It is a testament to his skill as a writer and his ability to create a captivating work of literature.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
"Il Cantò del Boia" - Norman Mailer
pp. 1091 - €23.00 - edito @lanavediteseo

▪︎ #tomidanontemere ▪︎

On January 17, 1977, exactly 45 years ago, Gary Gilmore was executed in the state of Utah after a 10-year moratorium on the death penalty.

This year, on January 17, it coincides with #bluemonday, the saddest day of the year (the third Monday of January).
Perhaps it's a coincidence, but I will always remember it for this sad connection.

I admit I started it with worry. I was initially scared by the size, and my apprehension increased when I realized how tightly the pages were written.

This book is essentially divided into two parts.

The first part is entirely dedicated to Gary Gilmore and the genesis of his becoming an assassin. It takes you into the mind of the assassin and also into the flawed system like the American penitentiary. This part is simply spectacular, exciting, and gripping.

The second part, unfortunately, turns out to be rather heavy and surely not an easy read. The figure of Gary Gilmore fades into the background to make way for the media frenzy that stems from his case. Journalists, lawyers, and all kinds of vultures come, eager to acquire the rights. There is a continuous and exhausting struggle to make a film or a book out of it.

After getting through this hurdle, filled with countless names and events, one arrives at the last 100 shocking and chilling pages where the inevitable happens, a real punch in the stomach.

Certainly, it is a book to be read, but it requires commitment and attention to be able to appreciate every little nuance of the great work that Norman Mailer has done on the Gary Gilmore case. A book that, without judging, but rather reporting the facts objectively, surgically, and almost maniacally, denounces the hypocrisy and injustice of the American prison and punitive system.

What a remarkable book!

It is mind-numbingly good, captivating the reader from the very first page.

It is truly an intellectual grand slam, presenting complex ideas and concepts in a way that is both accessible and engaging.

The author's writing style is masterful, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind and creating a world that is both believable and enchanting.

Whether you are a lover of literature or simply looking for a good read, this book is sure to satisfy.

It is a must-read for anyone who enjoys being challenged and inspired.

So, pick up a copy today and prepare to be amazed!

I’ve been completely engrossed in THE EXECUTIONER’S SONG by Norman Mailer. It’s truly captivating. I set an artificial schedule for my reading, aiming to finish one book a week. This particular book, with over 1,000 pages from the library, has required me to neglect all aspects of my family, work, and intimate relations in order to fully immerse myself in the lives of some seriously messed-up people.

The book only covers nine months of Gary Gilmore’s life, from his release from the penitentiary to his precedent-setting execution. However, within that time, a detailed world is constructed that manages to evoke sympathy for the killer while never truly penetrating his façades to reveal the real man and the motives behind his actions.

The infamous case of a convicted killer who demanded his death sentence be carried out was front-page news during my childhood. But for me, the most fascinating parts of the book were the faithful portrayals of Gilmore, his family, and friends, all of which painted a rather sad picture. I’m not a proponent of the literary dream of piling on details, facts, and sensory descriptions to build a believable world that makes you forget you’re reading a book. But in this work of creative nonfiction, the technique is effective in dropping us right into the dirt of these people’s lives, never judging, only observing.

Of course, there are bigger themes at play, such as the legitimacy of capital punishment, but that’s for you to decide. In his writing, Mailer even suppresses his large persona and leaves room for the participants to tell their own stories. It made me realize that such a lens could be used to view an ordinary life and still come back with a narrative that is just as moving. After all, we’re all stories. What I’ll remember most about Gilmore is not his life in prison and its path towards death, but the tragedy of his brief freedom and the other people who filled that time and space.

This is probably the worst book I have ever read.

But somehow, I managed to finish it, all 1000 pages filled with excruciatingly boring dialogue.

I initially picked up this book because I have a deep love for "In Cold Blood". However, the only resemblance between this book and Capote's masterpiece is the genre.

While Capote had the remarkable ability to make you feel a sense of sympathy towards all the characters involved, in "The Executioner's Song", I felt nothing but complete apathy for anyone.

There was absolutely nothing about the characters in this book that was compelling enough to make me cheer for them.

I actually rolled my eyes when reading Gilmore and Nicole's love letters. They had only known each other for two months, and to me, their declarations of love seemed completely absurd.

It was like reading the old love letters between my 15-year-old self and my first boyfriend.

The second half of the book, for me, was just mind-numbingly boring.

Unless you have an intense interest in contract negotiations and legal proceedings, you would find your eyes glazing over through much of the pages.

How this book, which clearly required a new editor (I believe the acting editor passed away before the book could be completed), managed to win a Pulitzer Prize is truly beyond my comprehension.

Top Five Executioner's Songs

5. Bodies, Drowning Pool
This heavy metal track from Drowning Pool has a powerful and intense sound that could potentially set the mood for an execution. The driving rhythm and aggressive vocals add to the overall atmosphere.

4. Heads Will Roll, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
The unique and catchy nature of this song by Yeah Yeah Yeahs makes it stand out. The repetitive lyrics and energetic beat could create a sense of anticipation or even a macabre dance-like feel.

3. How I Could Just Kill a Man, Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill's rap song with its gritty and edgy lyrics seems to fit the theme of an executioner. The title alone gives a hint of the dark and violent emotions that might be associated with such a role.

2. Party Rock, LMFAO
Although this song is known for its upbeat and party-like nature, it could potentially be used in a sarcastic or ironic way in the context of an execution. The contrast between the happy music and the solemnity of the event might create an interesting juxtaposition.

1. The Lord High Executioner's Song, The Mikado, Gilbert & Sullivan
This classic song from Gilbert & Sullivan's opera The Mikado is a humorous take on the role of the executioner. The light-hearted music and witty lyrics provide a different perspective on the otherwise serious and grim topic.

Problem is that this is not just 1100 pages of a dude in a black hood doing the watusi to LMFAO. Look, I get what Mailer's doing here. He's using the case of murderer Gary Gilmore to raise big questions about good and evil and free will, and it's a smart thing to do and he does a good job. But that doesn't change that it's a bummer of a book. And it should have been pruned. It is important for Mailer to show everyone around Gilmore, so we can see that it's his whole world, his whole milieu that directs him to where he ends up, but it didn't need this much detail. Mailer could've trimmed 400 pages out and it still would've been longer than Crime and Punishment, y'know? And he definitely should have trimmed out most or all of Gilmore's letters. The guy is stuck at the maturity of a high schooler; his letters range from boring to embarrassing. Which I understand is a point in itself, but maybe hammered home a bit hard. This book is good at what it does, but what it does is bum you right out.

If you're two generations older than me, then Norman Mailer is one of the voices of your time.

He was a prominent figure in the literary world, known for his bold and often controversial works.

If you're one generation older than me, you may remember Norman Mailer as the embittered soul bitching about his inability to get it up in the pages of Playboy.

This rather scandalous incident added to his already colorful reputation.

And if you're my age, you know the Simpsons reference to said bitching, which shows his continued presence in popular culture.

Perhaps he's in the process of being forgotten, but a book like The Executioner's Song convinces me he shouldn't be.

While I generally find the "nonfiction novel" conceit to be quite suspect, seriously, have the courage to either hew to the strict facts or fictionalize with gusto, none of this Mike Daisey shit.

However, The Executioner's Song is about as good as this flawed format can get.

If one, as I did, thinks of it more as a novel than nonfiction, it's a long novel of indictments showing many facets of life in the ugly reality of silent-majority America.

And it's a damn good novel at that, worthy of being remembered and studied for years to come.