Starts good. $1.99

Well now I need to "digest" this one. It's not something that can be easily understood at first glance. I must do some serious thinking about it. There are so many aspects to consider. Maybe I need to analyze the details more closely, break it down into smaller parts. It could be that there are hidden meanings or implications that I haven't yet grasped. This requires my full attention and concentration. I'll take my time to really understand what this is all about. It might be a challenging task, but I'm determined to figure it out.

It's like a trashy pulp novel,

a quirky existential novel, and a brooding socialist diatribe novel were globbed together one after another.

All the same characters. Ugh.

The chapters of it were great on their own.

For example, some of the descriptions of the characters' inner turmoil were quite profound and engaging.

The writing style in certain parts was also very vivid, making the reader feel as if they were right there in the story.

However, when looking at the whole, it was really dragged down by the mess.

The different genres and themes didn't seem to blend well, and it felt a bit disjointed.

It was as if the author was trying to do too many things at once and ended up not doing any of them justice.

Overall, it had its moments, but it could have been so much better if it had been more cohesive.

Barbary Shore takes us on a journey through the experiences of Mike Lovett, an amnesiac World War Two soldier. After checking into a boarding house to pen a novel, he encounters a diverse cast of curious characters. There's the lascivious landlady, desired by all. Mike's two male neighbors are an intellectual, Macleod, who works in a retail store, and a seemingly undereducated country man aiming to make it on Wall Street. Then there's a young woman going through an emotional breakdown.

However, appearances can be deceiving. Mike soon uncovers that Macleod might be an important socialist revolutionary on the run, having actively participated in the two world wars and now being hunted. Meanwhile, the Wall Street man could be his pursuer.

Barbary Shore is a complex thriller that, unfortunately, is mostly dull. Yet, there are portions of the novel that are truly incredible. Mailer was brave to attempt such a complex work after the success of The Naked and the Dead. The conversations between General Cummings and Lieutenant Hearn in the latter seem to foreshadow Barbary Shore. Mailer really let loose during Macleod's long speech about capitalism and socialism during his interrogation.

Excess has always been a hallmark of Mailer's writing, but it doesn't quite work here. I found much of the novel frustrating, especially in the middle. It could have been an amazing thriller if Mailer had toned down the intellectual pollution (as he himself put it) a bit. Nevertheless, the intellectual aspects are what make the novel unique.

Set in an Orwellian world, Barbary Shore is a bleak novel where humans are pitted against each other, cruelty piles upon cruelty in an almost irreversible situation, and the world hurtles towards inevitable destruction.

I would only recommend Barbary Shore to fans of Mailer who are familiar with his writing style and themes. While parts of it bored me to tears, I'm glad I read it. It's an activist novel that attempts to be a thriller.

The experience was excruciatingly boring.

It consisted of long, rambling speeches that seemed to go on forever.

The topic of socialism was repeatedly discussed, but in a way that failed to engage or inspire.

The speakers droned on and on, their words lacking passion and enthusiasm.

It felt as if time had come to a standstill, and I could hardly wait for the event to end.

The audience, too, seemed to be suffering from boredom, with many people looking at their watches or fidgeting in their seats.

Overall, it was a highly unenjoyable experience that left me with a negative impression of both the speeches and the topic of socialism.

**“Barbary Shore”: A Multifaceted Exploration**

“Barbary Shore” by Norman Mailer, published in 1951 when he was 28, is a captivating novel that delves into sex and radical politics. In a sense, Mailer defines his characters and, by extension, himself through sexual exuberance and political engagement. The “New Man” he envisions is both sexually and politically active.

The novel initially gives the impression of naivete, especially in the first 80 pages. However, as it progresses, one realizes that this might be due to Mailer's chosen style. Mailer learned a great deal about sex and radical politics during and after his Army experience, and from his friend and mentor, Jean Malaquais. As a result, he later considered “Barbary Shore” to be his most autobiographical novel.

The novel has a theatrical quality, with the action driven by dialogue and set in a Brooklyn Heights boarding house. There are six main characters, and their various interactions create a tense and engaging drama. It can be seen as a Cold War allegory, with each character representing different worldviews. The narrator, Mike Lovett, is a war veteran with amnesia, and as he witnesses the conflicts among the other tenants, he becomes the conscience of America.

The political context of the novel adds another layer of complexity. One of the men is a former high-ranking Communist on the run, and Lovett observes the attempts to bring him in. The novel uses a dynamic adversary apparatus to present the rival contentions, avoiding the tendency to lecture. Mailer's style transcends Socialist Realism and constructs a form of Socialist Hyper-Realism. Despite the criticism it received upon publication, “Barbary Shore” remains a significant work that challenges readers to think about sex, politics, and the nature of love.

After the resounding success of 'The Naked And The Dead', Norman Mailer, still in his 20s, had lofty ambitions. He aimed to pen something entirely distinct, perhaps believing he could conquer any genre. Riding the wave of his debut, he expected acclaim from both critics and the general public. However, 'Barbary Shore' was met with universal condemnation from critics and had abysmal sales, becoming a prime example of the'sophomore slump'. Its reputation didn't improve over time, lacking the 'cult following' often associated with ambitious yet flawed commercial failures by established authors.

But was it truly that bad? My answer is a resounding 'no'. While 'Barbary Shore' is an essentially flawed novel, it still has its merits. I simply adore Mailer's writing technique and his psychological approach to his complex and often enigmatic characters. Through the convoluted and seemingly forced plot-line twists and turns, he gradually reveals their inner demons and struggles. Whether it's the hard-boiled existentialist noir of 'Tough Guys Don't Dance', the unique 'sports novel' 'The Fight', or this political thriller with philosophical, sexual, and sociological implications, Mailer writes with a style all his own.

After reading roughly half of this novel, I was convinced I had discovered another grossly underestimated Mailer masterpiece. Its combination of psychological power, bleak atmosphere, and labyrinthine plot left me floored. Sadly, looking back, I realize my excitement was premature. Mailer's plot goes nowhere, replacing grit with boredom and psychological accuracy with clumsiness. What began as a stirring political tale devolves into a series of lifeless and insipid Trotskyite diatribes. The same goes for other themes. The sexual tension that was initially disturbing yet delicate becomes too formal and far-fetched. The relationships between the male inhabitants of the boarding house also become psychologically feigned and haphazard.

Despite its flaws, 'Barbary Shore' is still a majestic read for its first 300 pages or so. And for me, seeing a genius fail spectacularly is more interesting than seeing a mediocrity succeed with ordinary creativity. It's not the best Mailer novel, far from it, but it has his unique writing style and more than a few touches of his creative genius. So, it's still better than many of the presumed masterpieces of 20th-century English literature.

Meanwhile, vast armies mount themselves,

and the world continues to revolve,

while the traveller clutches his breast in fear and uncertainty.

From out of the unyielding contradictions of labor stolen from men,

the march to the endless war forces its unrelenting pace.

Perhaps, as the millions will be lost in the chaos and destruction,

others will be created in the crucible of conflict,

and I shall discover brothers where I thought none existed before.

But for the present, the storm approaches its thunderhead,

and it is increasingly apparent that the boat drifts ever closer to the shore.

So the blind will lead the blind,

and the deaf shout warnings to one another,

until their voices are lost in the din and turmoil of the approaching storm.

Imagine being Norman Mailer's agent. His first book has just taken the literary world by storm. He is truly a bonafide genius and a legitimate celebrity. The expectations are sky-high. And then, out of the blue, he drops this absolute turd of a manuscript on your desk.

You are left completely flabbergasted. How could this happen? The man who had previously shown such brilliance and promise has now presented something that seems so far below his usual standard. You wonder what went wrong. Was it a momentary lapse in judgment? Or perhaps he was going through some personal issues that affected his writing.

Regardless of the reason, you know that you have a tough task ahead. You have to figure out how to salvage this situation. Do you try to work with him to improve the manuscript? Or do you suggest that he start over from scratch? The decision is not an easy one, but as his agent, you know that you have to do what is best for his career.

What began as an intriguing look into the life of a charming young amnesiac, residing or perhaps just eking out a survival in post-WWII New York, and striving to fulfill his aspiration of penning a novel, soon evolves into a profound dissertation on Communism. This is expounded upon by the diverse occupants of his dilapidated row house, who prove to be not quite what they initially appear when we first encounter them. Mailer's characters are vividly drawn and make a distinct impression. However, when the book reaches its conclusion, I am left with a sense of angst regarding what might have been. It is a good read, yet it has become somewhat dated over the years.

Despite its age, the novel still offers valuable insights into the social and political climate of the time. The exploration of Communism through the eyes of these characters adds depth and complexity to the story.

Overall, while it may not be as relevant today as it was when it was first published, it remains a worthy piece of literature that showcases Mailer's talent as a writer.

At this juncture, Mailer, having just been awarded the Pulitzer for a raucous and bold war novel (strangely, I haven't read it), begins to lose his composure.

He is popping pills, obsessively poring over Freud and Trotsky, and entering a rather strange and violent phase with his bearded appearance.

This work is a chaotic mixture of half-baked ideas, self-consciously crafted character studies, a disjointed plot, and essentially paranoid political ranting that is aimed only at the audience within his own mind.

It is a failure, and not necessarily for any specific reason. It could be the sophomore slump, or perhaps he simply attempted to take on far more than he could handle.

It might be worth it for diehard fans, but otherwise, one isn't missing out on much at all.

Overall, this period in Mailer's career seems to be a tumultuous one, filled with experimentation and perhaps a bit of overreaching. While his earlier success with the war novel was significant, this subsequent work fails to live up to the expectations.

However, it is important to note that even in failure, there can be valuable lessons and insights gained. Maybe Mailer will learn from this experience and produce something even greater in the future.

Only time will tell.

I don't know.

I truly admired it, and there were indeed some extremely powerful moments within it.

However, I can't say that I actually enjoyed reading it.

This leads to the question of how to think about books like this.

On one hand, you respect the work and the efforts that went into it.

But on the other hand, you didn't have a pleasurable reading experience.

Is it really worth it to finish such books?

Maybe it depends on various factors.

Perhaps if the book has important lessons or ideas that could potentially broaden your perspective, it might be worthwhile to persevere.

Or if it is a classic that is highly regarded in the literary world, you might feel a sense of obligation to complete it.

However, if the book is causing you more frustration and boredom than any potential gain, then maybe it's okay to put it aside and move on to something else.

After all, reading should also be an enjoyable and fulfilling activity.

The description of the landlady in this piece is truly excellent. It manages to bring her to life in a vivid and engaging way.

However, the second half of the article seems a bit muddled. The ideas don't flow as smoothly as they could, and it becomes a bit difficult to follow the train of thought.

Despite this, the ambition of the thoughts expressed is inspiring. It shows a sense of determination and a drive to achieve something great.

Moreover, the lyrical evocations of being young and in New York are very well done. They capture the essence of that experience, the excitement, the energy, and the possibilities that come with being in such a vibrant city.

Overall, while there are some areas that could be improved, this article has its strengths and offers some interesting insights and beautiful descriptions.