The Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer
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Book Reviews of The Executioner's Song
Book Review: the futility of the death penalty
Summary: 5 Stars
norman mailer wrote a massive and brilliant story which reveals the utter futility of the death penalty as a deterrent. Gary Gilmore spent half his life in prison and finally got his wish: to be executed. At the time of his execution, the death penalty was rarely used in the U.S as opposed to today where Texas alone seems to have a coupleof executions every month. The killing continues both by the criminals and the state and there are those who believe the temporary drop in the murder rate is a result of the death penalty instead of what it really is: the temporary drop in the population group that commits most murders and other violent crimes, young men between 15-27 years of age.Mailer details Gilmore wanting the death penalty and getting his wish. Yet there are still those who claim it is a deterrent. How can it deter the drug lords whose profession hangs a potential death penalty from there own ilk over their heads daily?
Mailer is the greatest American writer of the 20th century and Executioner's Song is one his strongest claims to that title.
Book Review: WOW
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Executioner's Song" is an incredibly intimidating book, and if reading the whole thing constitutes a great accomplishment than writing it is akin to a feat of God. The story is basically how Gary Gilmore killed two innocent people, was sentenced to death, became a pawn for money-hunters everywhere, and ended up, well... you guessed it. Here every possible incident is portrayed in Mailer's simple, matter-of-fact prose. One of the great things he does here is portray Gilmore as an articulate, caring (for the most part) human being rather than a cold-blooded killer. His cataclysmic relationship with Nicole is portrayed in all its ferocity, and his choice to go ahead with the execution without appeal is actually made out to be understandable from his point of view. If you have a good two months to set aside I suggest picking this book up. It may be best to have a notebook handy however; the cast of real-life characters is War and Peace-esque in its grandiosity and it is quite easy to lose track of who is who. Bravo Mr. Mailer.Book Review: Absorbing, Harrowing, and Unforgettable
Summary: 5 Stars
As I look back on the past year, one of the most unforgettable periods was the week or two in March when I was reading this book. At first, I thought I would never be able to get into it. I could not relate to the characters or their lifestlye at all and found them extremely unsympathetic. However, as I got further into it, this book absolutely possessed me. I still can't explain what it was about it that was so gripping. Gary Gilmore is probably the most fascinating, mysterious, and yet extremely real character I've ever encountered in a book. It was amazing the way he was portrayed like a complete person - neither as a stereotype of depravity nor as an overly sentimental, misunderstood hero. Getting to know the extremely complicated Gary through the course of the book made me realize that no one's life can be defined or explained by a single action, no matter how brutal that action may have been.Book Review: One of the best books I've ever read
Summary: 5 Stars
Incredible book that I read many years ago, yet it remains in my memory very clear. If I ever I recommend books to anyone, this book is always on the list. Yes it's long, but I love a good, long book. This book was my introduction to Norman Mailer, and it's made me a fan for life. He died recently, so I wanted to look over his works again. I could read this one twice. I don't agree with one review that stated the story lets Gary Gilmore off the hook by placing the blame on everyone and everything but himself for his screwed up life. It's just that he had a screwed up life. That is the story behind the man. Of course he his to blame for his own actions, but we can seek to understand, and we should, what happens to people sometimes in this society of ours. It makes you think about the human condition, human emotion, life, and death. You'll never forget the book once you've read it.Book Review: A book you won't soon forget.
Summary: 5 Stars
The story, people, events, and style of this book were absolutely haunting to me. At times I read it and felt utterly depressed at the way the events would spiral into a downward pit of despair for many of the people. However, that's not to say that I didn't like the book - I did. Immensely. I almost couldn't put it down from the very start, and Mailer's vivid descriptions were so well-done I could visualize almost everything. The explorations into the inner workings of various institutions, from the prison system to the Hollywood-TV-media world, were fascinating, and of course, the central story is well-written and utterly gripping. I urge anyone to read this...the story of Gary Gilmore and the people whose lives he influenced will stay with you long after you have finished.