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Mornings with Mailer: A Recollection of Friendship
“ Mornings with Mailer is a tender and affectionate view of the protean author at the end of the Big Novel that was his life. Dwayne Raymond’s book offers a uniquely intimate perspective on one of our literary giants. Applause.” — Tom Piazza, author of City of Refuge “In this moving memoir, Dwayne Raymond provides an intimate look at the daily routine of a great writer in the last years of his life.” — Doris Kearns Goodwin, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Team of Rivals Mornings with Mailer is the revealing memoir by Dwayne Raymond, the man who worked as Norman Mailer’s personal assistant during the last five years of the iconic author’s life. Recasting the legendary writer of such classics as The Naked and the Dead and The Executioner’s Song in a new light, Mornings with Mailer describes the powerful bond that formed between him and Raymond from April 2003 until Mailer’s death in November 2007.
- GenresNonfictionBiography
340 pages, Paperback
First published January 26, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 28, 2010
I loved this book – because it has everything I could ever ask fror in a book. It’s about the writing process, it’s about one of the greatest American writers, about Provincetown, about the relationships between people and the ways we learn from each other and grow.
This book inspired me on many levels.
This book inspired me on many levels.
November 23, 2018
There are two types who will enjoy this book - fans of Norman Mailer and readers who may never read him, but appreciate familiarity with a writer of his stature. I’m in the second category, and while I think his place in literature is at times overstated by the author, Dwayne Raymond, that is his privilege based on his position in Mailer’s life. An intimate portrait worth reading.
August 2, 2012
In 2004, Dwayne Raymond accepted Mailer's invitation to work as his literary secretary. Although Mailer already had the redoubtable Judith McNally situated at his Brooklyn home and in charge of his literary affairs for 25 years, he needed a man in Provincetown, where he had settled for most of the year to work on his last books, including his well-received novel, "The Castle in the Forest," detailing the early life of Adolf Hitler.
Raymond provides riveting descriptions of Mailer's work methods, including his gargantuan appetite for works of history that would bolster his version of Hitler's genesis. Even better, Raymond is able to provide a firsthand account of Mailer's plans for a second volume of his Hitler saga set partly in, of all places, an American shopping mall, which the novelist considered one of the more nefarious features of our nation's commercial psyche.
Although Raymond came to love Mailer, he is unsparing in his descriptions of a myopic man catered to first by his mother and then by a succession of lovers, wives, assistants and academic lackeys. Not that Raymond ever uses such language to describe the Mailer menagerie. On the contrary, if this moving memoir has a fault, it resides in its reverent tone.
Reading only Raymond one would never realize how controversial and even hated a figure Mailer remains for certain critics, especially some feminist critics.
To be fair, Raymond describes a Mailer who had mellowed and was often kind to family, friends and co-workers. The descriptions of the tender scenes between Church and Mailer corroborate a good deal of Church's memoir and reveal her to be the mainstay of Mailer's life.
Read more: http://old.post-gazette.com/pg/10157/...
Raymond provides riveting descriptions of Mailer's work methods, including his gargantuan appetite for works of history that would bolster his version of Hitler's genesis. Even better, Raymond is able to provide a firsthand account of Mailer's plans for a second volume of his Hitler saga set partly in, of all places, an American shopping mall, which the novelist considered one of the more nefarious features of our nation's commercial psyche.
Although Raymond came to love Mailer, he is unsparing in his descriptions of a myopic man catered to first by his mother and then by a succession of lovers, wives, assistants and academic lackeys. Not that Raymond ever uses such language to describe the Mailer menagerie. On the contrary, if this moving memoir has a fault, it resides in its reverent tone.
Reading only Raymond one would never realize how controversial and even hated a figure Mailer remains for certain critics, especially some feminist critics.
To be fair, Raymond describes a Mailer who had mellowed and was often kind to family, friends and co-workers. The descriptions of the tender scenes between Church and Mailer corroborate a good deal of Church's memoir and reveal her to be the mainstay of Mailer's life.
Read more: http://old.post-gazette.com/pg/10157/...
June 17, 2011
3.5 stars
"Here. Read this." Hubby tossed me Mornings with Mailer from the "New Book" shelf at the library.
I don't know anything about Norman Mailer. His name was vaguely familiar but I've never read any of his books. I know nothing of his political or religious views, much less his personal life, so I started this book with very fresh eyes.
Mailer sounds like someone that I would have been impressed with in person but terribly intimidated by. Based on the stories told in this book, I very much admire Mailer's work ethic and his approach to learning as much as possible about life. He sounded like a cranky but lovable old man.
Even though I still don't know who Mailer is professionally, I'm glad I got a glimpse of a great writer's life. It was a fascinating one!
"Here. Read this." Hubby tossed me Mornings with Mailer from the "New Book" shelf at the library.
I don't know anything about Norman Mailer. His name was vaguely familiar but I've never read any of his books. I know nothing of his political or religious views, much less his personal life, so I started this book with very fresh eyes.
Mailer sounds like someone that I would have been impressed with in person but terribly intimidated by. Based on the stories told in this book, I very much admire Mailer's work ethic and his approach to learning as much as possible about life. He sounded like a cranky but lovable old man.
Even though I still don't know who Mailer is professionally, I'm glad I got a glimpse of a great writer's life. It was a fascinating one!
March 5, 2011
I didn't know much about Norman Mailer before reading this book, but Dwayne Raymond presents a story of his time with Mailer that creates a touching account of his time assisting Mailer. His memoir presents us with another view of not only Mailer, but his family, and what it's like working with a major author. We learn a lot about the writing process, including all the background processes that tend to go unnoticed. Above all, Raymond tells a story that is easy to read, told in his own voice, with care taken to present those he worked with in an honest, yet loving, light. His story about how two men bond over the course of four years is beautiful.
February 13, 2014
Pretty good read on Mailer's last years as a curmudgeonly writer in Provincetown. The man loved to write, right up until the very end! The author of this memoir was his assistant, chef, friend, errand-runner. There were no blinding insights, just a measure of understandable hero worship (--the guy was not only his employer but one of THE world-famous talents of the 20th Century). Also a few spats and misunderstandings. But mostly this is a plain book about friendship and accomodation, which is always interesting....
March 22, 2010
I find I miss Norman - hard to believe he's been dead since what, 2007? Could it be? 2007? Raymond was Norman's assistant in the final couple years of his life. The book was fine when it wrote of Norman, a bit tiring when it slid into its own conceits (go back to Norman!); but overall, a nice and pleasant read. Where are you Norman? Can you hear the screams? Can you smell the fear? Can you see the end?
June 21, 2014
This was a fabulous read and I highly recommend it. It's a book that is a wonderful insight into the final years of Norman's life. I could not put the book down. The author who wrote this book and the wonderful fortune and blessing to get to work with Norman. If you are a fan of Norman Mailer and even if you are not. This is a must read and worth the time. After reading this book, you might want to go pick up some of his previous novels to read.
August 3, 2020
A good insight of Mailer's last years. It just reminded me how "normal" Mailer was. Dwayne Raymond describes just perfectly those little moments he lived with him, the conflicts, the moments he shared with Mailer's family. I think it was a well-balanced friendship nicely written.
ETA: Dwayne Raymond, I sincerely hope you and Norman Mailer reunited somewhere. May you both Rest In Peace
ETA: Dwayne Raymond, I sincerely hope you and Norman Mailer reunited somewhere. May you both Rest In Peace
June 13, 2015
Great inside view of Norman Mailer's last years from his assistant. Mailer was one of the top writers and influences of the 20th and early 21st century and yet in some ways, he was a private man. This gives you a look at the last decade of his life. For writers, there is much about work habits and expectations to be learned from a master.
May 15, 2011
I am apparently one of the very few that did not enjoy this book. I don't believe I have ever read one of Norman Mailer's book and after reading this, I am even less inclined to read one. He seemed like a cranky, rude old man and I did not find this to be an endearing story.
March 3, 2010
Am reading this now for review. Despite the name reminding everyone of Tuesdays with Morrie, this is neat - a young waiter gets the change to be Normal Mailer's personal assistant in his home. I'm only half-way through and I want it to last a while.
November 14, 2010
What a lovely book. I read this in pieces - just so it would last a bit longer.
Want to read
March 1, 20102/28/10
August 20, 2012
a very enjoyable read even if I didn't know anything
about Norman Mailer.
about Norman Mailer.
April 5, 2013
Although some reviews were not great,I loved every moment of this book.Loved hearing about how Mailer's mind worked and how he went about his craft.Also loved reading about Provincetown.
October 18, 2014
A really good book about a young waiter in Provincetown who comes to become Mailer's aide in all matters. Sad in the end.
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October 8, 2015Did a book review of it here - https://youtu.be/xGrPgGs0Jg0
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews