Norman Mailer dead at age 84
Mailer was always one of my favorite writers. Controversial, wildly inconsistent, and considered by many to be a misogynist prick amongst other things, he was undeniably one of the literary greats of the twentieth century. His oversized personality often overshadowed his output, but he leaves behind a uniquely varied oeuvre that stands on its own merits. Recommended reading: The Naked and the Dead, The Armies of the Night, An American Dream, The Executioner's Song, Tough Guys Don't Dance.
R.I.P. Mr. Mailer, you deserve it after a tumultuous and brilliant life.