Mary's review of The Executioner's Song
The Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer
Probably the only novel to feature Geraldo Rivera as a character:
"Dennis couldn't help himself. He just began to sob aloud in front of Geraldo."
The issue that I'm left arguing after this book is one that shouldn't have overshadowed those of the death penalty and prison "rehabilitation" in the U.S.--instead, I'm debating whether it's right to consider this fiction.
The New York Times addressed this point soon after the book was published, and Mailer, his publisher, the Association of American Publishers, and others all felt that the author has the right to say how a book should be categorized. Mailer, however, was vague about its definition--I'm sure purposefully.
In the afterword in the book, he writes, "This book does its best to be a factual account of the activities of Gary Gilmore...the story is as accurate as one can make it." Then, in an interview, he explains, "To me, non-fiction provides answers and novels illumine quest...more
"Dennis couldn't help himself. He just began to sob aloud in front of Geraldo."
The issue that I'm left arguing after this book is one that shouldn't have overshadowed those of the death penalty and prison "rehabilitation" in the U.S.--instead, I'm debating whether it's right to consider this fiction.
The New York Times addressed this point soon after the book was published, and Mailer, his publisher, the Association of American Publishers, and others all felt that the author has the right to say how a book should be categorized. Mailer, however, was vague about its definition--I'm sure purposefully.
In the afterword in the book, he writes, "This book does its best to be a factual account of the activities of Gary Gilmore...the story is as accurate as one can make it." Then, in an interview, he explains, "To me, non-fiction provides answers and novels illumine quest...more
comments
No comments have been added yet.
