Norman Mailer?

[Traps]

Can Norman Mailer's work be judged without regard to the man himself?

http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/traps/2007/11/13/norman-mailer-the-mysogynists-song/

[David Zephyr]

1. The man and his literary works go hand in hand.

I grew up with Mailer and Vidal and their long standing, and sometimes colorful, feuds.

As a gay guy, Vidal was a hero of mine when I was younger, so I always carried an unfair bias against Mailer anyway. As I aged, I came to see Mailer in a more mature light and actually came to like this rascal and his typewriter...because he could write, could tell a story, and had such a great and fun way with words.

In Woody Allen's film, "The Sleeper", the fellow wakes up in the future and is shown a photogrpah of Norman Mailer who Allen's character says, "I think he donated his ego to Harvard." LOL!

My companion took a photo of me in Provincetown on Cape Cod in front of Mailer's cottage there after our morning walk. Norman, who perhaps was the most reactionay voice of machismo during those early years of women's liberation and gay parades, lived his life quietly with his wife in a gay enclave on the Cape. I have no doubt that Mr. Norman Mailer relished the irony of that.

My answer to the question posed is that the man and his work go hand in hand. Certainly, knowing Norman makes reading him more enjoyable.

[Traps]

2. David you make him almost sound human

I'm a specialised criminal attorney with a soft spot for any underdog. Norm wasn't it - He had it all.

That said your response was fascinating.

[David Zephyr]

3. Welcome to the DU.

Nice to meet you here, Traps.

Do you specialize in defense or prosecution?

Norman, did have it all -- as you say -- and then some.

Thirty years ago, I would have never believed that I'd found a soft spot for Norman Mailer, but I guess I did. And I think that it's because he was out-front about being the rascal that I still call him.

After, the stealthy and Rovian ways of the right wing with "compassionate conservatism", "intelligent design" and nuanced reactionary rhetoric, Norman was all Norman. His punching Gore Vidal (who then quipped, "Once again, Norman, words have failed you.") was, way back then, at least red-blooded forthrightness.

Norman human? Even I couldn't make him that. He's a Nietzsche uber-man.

Here's a hearty welcome to the DU, Traps.

I love smart people. You are obviously one. :hi:

[Traps]

4. Defense Dave

I'm like Rumpole - we never prosecute.

I feel you on Mailer. It's the rough diamond syndrome.
"I yam what I yam" (Popeye ;0)

That said I still find him more disturbing than
some of my clients.