Norman Mailer R.I.P.

[infinitejester]

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.

[Dominic]

god, the Naked and The Dead is phenomenal...

[barncat]

R.I.P

[zasterguava]

Mailer's corrospondence with Jack Abbott (Abbotts letters; I think the book was called 'beast in the belly' or something) was amazing and forever memorable. Shame about the trouble it landed him in upon getting the guy released.

Sad to think my generation will never have the same class of writers as Mailer. RIP.

[jfk]

I enjoyed Tough Guys Don't Dance. Mailer led quite a life.

[Blarg]

I loved his rants but never got around to reading his books. Wouldn't mind picking up The Naked and the Dead sometime.

[jackflashdrive]

The video of his famous caught-on-camera fight with actor Rip Torn is here

Edit: Mailer bites off a piece of Torn's ear.

[KilgoreTrout]

Though not a surprise (he fell ill many weeks ago) Norman will be fuggin missed.

[KilgoreTrout]

Fresh Air was just replaying the 1991 Mailer interview. I couldn't find a transcript on theNPR site but there's lots of other stuff there.

[Blarg]

What was that fight about anyway?