Norman Mailer's work is a remarkable quickie thriller that truly outshines most in the genre.

It delves into a world filled with drugs and the amnesia that they can induce, presenting a cast of odd and completely unpredictable characters.

The story is also saturated with sex and the constant threat of violence, creating a palpable sense of danger and excitement.

Adding to the intrigue is a new tattoo and a rather gruesome element of a beheaded wife.

Even if one were to overlook the other aspects, the background story for the title alone makes this work well worth reading. It offers a unique and captivating glimpse into a world that is both fascinating and disturbing, leaving the reader eager to uncover the secrets and mysteries that lie within.

Overall, Norman Mailer's thriller is a must-read for fans of the genre and those looking for a truly engaging and thought-provoking story.

At times, I suddenly get the urge to read literature, and it happened when I set my eyes on this book at a used book sale. Norman Mailer is one of the greats of American literature, and this novel presents itself as a thriller. So, I decided to buy it and read it almost immediately. The choice was unfortunate. I found myself with a text that was completely unsuited to my tastes.

The protagonist is a writer, recently left by his wife, who after a night of drunkenness finds himself having to untangle himself among showy bloodstains and headless corpses. He remembers nothing. Is he a murderer, or has someone tried to frame him?

This plot, which appears intriguing, albeit not new, is developed with a very particular style. The protagonist tells in the first person what happened and does so with a continuous process of introspection. He analyzes every one of his behaviors, every thought, every nuance. He analyzes, analyzes, analyzes. He dissects gestures, events, emotions. He vivisects himself and all those who surround him. He tells his relationship with alcohol, drugs, sex, including unconfessed homosexual impulses. All of this within a society, that of 1980s America, which is on the verge between a deep-rooted homophobia in the past and the first claims for gay rights. Despite the interesting themes, the continuous introspection made the reading extremely heavy for me. The narration suffers from continuous digressions because, every time a new character appears on the scene, the protagonist makes us get to know him by observing every one of his gestures under a microscope; and the same happens with the places, which are searched in every aspect, past and present. It was an extremely tiring and not very passionate reading. Halfway through, I seriously thought about abandoning the book, but I resisted because, being a thriller, I wanted to know the culprit. A very banal motivation, and certainly unjust, for a book that tries to dissect the hidden impulses of a bigoted society and at the same time is dedicated to satisfying every one of its most unrestrained desires.

I neither recommend it nor do I discourage it. Everyone should decide based on their own nature, sensitivity, or propensity for discovery. I just wanted to share my experience. I believe it is worthwhile, from time to time, to step out of our comfortable habits and explore what the infinite world of books has to offer.

This is a truly remarkable piece of work. It's a funny, bloody 80s noir that not only captivates with its dark and thrilling atmosphere but also includes a rather unexpected element. There's a reprint of Updike's long and ridiculous description of a vagina. This description, curiously enough, is something that Mailer and his character greatly admire.

It's as if this addition adds a layer of complexity and a touch of the absurd to the already engaging noir narrative. The combination of the gritty 80s setting, the bloody action, and this rather unique literary reference makes for a reading experience that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

One can't help but be drawn into the world of this 80s noir, with its vivid characters and the strange allure of Updike's description, which seems to take on a life of its own within the context of the story. It's a literary oddity that manages to blend humor, violence, and a certain kind of literary appreciation in a most unexpected way.

I was always led to believe Norman Mailer was an incredible writer. I heard his name lauded in Journalism class, which made me eager to explore his work. However, after reading this, my first Mailer, I was disappointed.

I feel like an uneducated heathen critiquing a writer who is one of the greats, but here goes. The book begins reading in the style of Hemingway, tough, macho, and often brutish. But unlike Hemingway, who can convey profound meaning with a single word that slices like a razor, Mailer tends to use 15 or more words. His descriptions often read like a shopping list of facts, lacking the elegance and conciseness that Hemingway mastered.

Also, unlike Hemingway, the characters in this book are wooden stereotypes. They have little emotional development or backstory development, making it difficult for the reader to truly engage with them.

I don't think you could get away with writing a story like this today. The plot revolves around two gay guys attempting to be heterosexual, which is not only ignorant but also frankly homophobic. This made it difficult for me to suspend my disbelief and get lost in the story. That said, the story is a good one, very noir and disorienting. However, it is peppered with many mentions of "cock" and worse, which I could not see the purpose of in this story.

Mailer is a good writer, no question. Some of his craft is very well executed. But I came away from this story thinking it is of a bygone era, thankfully. In many parts, it seems to be a reflection of Mailer himself and his character flaws: misogynistic, homophobic, and narcissistic. As one blogger wrote, perhaps we don't see Mailer's writing as that great anymore now that Mailer is not around to keep telling us how good it is.

Enjoyable enough, but it does take a bit of time to really get going.

For instance, it's around 60 or 70 pages before the first decapitated head makes an appearance. And from the synopsis on the back of the book, you know that the story involves our protagonist trying to avoid being implicated in someone's death due to the discovery of a woman's head on his property, which is stashed in his hidden marijuana crops.

The book is filled with a lot of purple prose. One could say it's overwritten to a tee. However, after a while, this turns out to be a plus as you get some really excellent descriptive flashbacks. I particularly loved the flashback the protagonist has in the middle of the story to his attempts at being a youth boxer just to please his impossible-to-satisfy father. The father has a monologue that explains the novel's title, which is apparently a saying his dad used to repeat often. I also really liked the descriptive scene of a seance that is being flashbacked to at one point.

The story was good and it moved along fairly quickly once you reached a certain point. But I felt like I was sometimes ahead of it. Once the perpetrator of all this is uncovered and their motives are given, it seems like there's not much left to the story except seeing our main character try to figure out a way to expose them. Still, I liked the main character, which is ironic because Mailer seems to try very hard to make him as unsympathetic as possible. He's a heavy drinker, prone to blackouts, and wasn't very nice to his ex-wife who left him less than a month ago, causing him to go out at night and binge drink again. The more we see of their marriage through the flashbacks he tells us, the more we see how much of a jerk he was to her. It's almost like Mailer is challenging us to hate our main character. But since we're pretty sure he's not responsible for the deaths he's trying to solve the cause of, and also because everyone else he encounters in the novel is even scummier, we kind of root for him despite his flaws (at least I did).

However, I have to tell you that you will need to take a little time to get into this. I felt like the first 50 or so pages were all setup. While I was willing to give the book that much leeway, I think others might not be as willing. If it helps any, I did like this better than the movie. I also found it easier to follow than the movie, but that's more the fault of the movie which kind of jumbled several of the side characters that the book manages to keep clear throughout. Overall, it was a pretty good read and I liked how our main character struggled to keep a clear head while trying to stay ahead of everyone else. It kind of reminded me a little bit of the protagonist of "Inherent Vice" in that way.

The first Mailer I've ever taken on. I really liked it.

It's basically a standard murder mystery, but with a twist. If you can call it that. The main protagonist is an alcoholic sexual sleaze-bag whose morality is at times questionable.

Mailer's skill is very evident here. He manages to make it possible for the reader to empathize with this character.

Despite his flaws, you can still understand his motives and actions to a certain extent.

It's a really good read that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

The story is well-written and the characters are well-developed.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery or thriller.

It's not your typical run-of-the-mill story, but rather something that stands out and makes you think.

Overall, I'm very impressed with Mailer's work and look forward to reading more of his books in the future.

I awarded this murder mystery 4 stars. The reason is that I believe it was written with great skill. However, it is not suitable for the sensitive.

It is filled with mature themes such as graphic sex, brutal violence, homophobia, and drugs. The author seemingly aimed to provoke the reader.

If you are a mature adult, you can read it. But after that, it might be a good idea to take a shower.

This book is not for the faint of heart. It presents a gritty and raw view of certain aspects of society.

The author's use of these themes adds depth and complexity to the story, but it also makes it a challenging read for some.

Overall, I think it's a well-written mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat, but it's important to be aware of its content before diving in.

Is this the very place where Mailer poses the question? Why do gay men tend to gather in cities that boast giant phallic monuments? To be honest, I can't quite recall. It's a rather thought-provoking query. Maybe there's some underlying psychological or cultural factor at play. Do these monuments hold some sort of symbolic significance for them? Or perhaps it's just a coincidence that these cities happen to have both the monuments and a relatively large gay population. It could also be that the visibility and openness of these cities attract gay men from all over, and the presence of the monuments is just an added aspect. Without further research or Mailer's own explanation, it's difficult to determine the exact reason behind this phenomenon.

How did I manage to miss reading Mailer during my younger years?

Even now, I still haven't delved into his most highly acclaimed books. But then again, where were my parents? I suppose that all the explicit content involving sex, the use of pot, coke, LSD, and the portrayal of violence might have deterred them from introducing him to me as a young boy.

Occasionally, I experience the same sensation as when I read Thompson, a combination of an enjoyable shock and envy towards their remarkable prose.

It's difficult for me to envision someone who had six wives and even stabbed one of them as a role model. However, as the saying goes, nobody is perfect.

Perhaps I should give Mailer's works a chance and see if I can discover the qualities that have made him such a significant figure in literature. After all, it's never too late to explore new authors and expand one's literary horizons.

Maybe I'll be surprised by what I find and gain a new appreciation for his unique style and storytelling.

Only time will tell, but for now, I remain curious and open to the possibility of finally reading Mailer and uncovering the secrets within his pages.

I have a great affection for Mailer's political nonfiction works from the 1960s. However, when it comes to his fiction, I'm rather uncertain about my feelings. Admittedly, it appears that he didn't hold this particular book in very high regard. Published in 1984, it's a rather strange attempt at neo-noir.

To be fair, the book does have its闪光点. There are certain moments that manage to capture the reader's attention. Nevertheless, when looking at the work as a whole, it comes across as somewhat messy and convoluted.

I believe that Mailer's idiosyncrasies, which are often his strengths in his nonfiction, might have worked against him in this case. These unique characteristics that made his nonfiction so engaging and powerful perhaps didn't translate well into the realm of fiction, resulting in a work that, while having its moments, ultimately falls short of expectations.

The bulk of the book is fine enough.

However, there are definitely parts that drag on.

And there is stuff that just doesn't make sense.

It feels like it was Mailer trying to be his most Mailer-iest but with as little effort as possible.

Perhaps he was in a hurry or maybe he was simply going through the motions.

Whatever the reason, these flaws detract from what could have been a great work.

Despite this, there are still some redeeming qualities.

The writing style is engaging and there are some interesting ideas presented.

But overall, the book falls short of expectations.

It's a shame because Mailer has the talent to create something truly remarkable.

Maybe in his next work, he will put in the effort and give us a masterpiece.

As a college kid, I loved it.

Those were the days filled with excitement, new experiences, and a sense of freedom. I relished in the opportunity to explore different fields of study, make new friends, and engage in various extracurricular activities. The college environment was like a vibrant hub, constantly buzzing with energy and possibilities.

However, as an adult, my perspective has changed. The responsibilities and challenges of adulthood have taken their toll. The carefree days of college seem like a distant memory. Now, I find myself dealing with work pressures, financial obligations, and the need to balance multiple aspects of my life.

While I still cherish the memories of my college years, I have come to realize that adulthood brings its own set of joys and rewards. It is a time of growth, self-discovery, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the world. Although it may not be as carefree as college, it offers a different kind of fulfillment that comes with facing and overcoming challenges.

Overall, my journey from college kid to adult has been a transformative one, filled with both love and less love for different aspects of life.