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The Executioner's Song
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
Norman Mailer's Pulitzer Prize-winning and unforgettable classic about convicted killer Gary Gilmore now in a brand-new edition.Arguably the greatest book from America's most heroically ambitious writer, THE EXECUTIONER'S SONG follows the short, blighted life of Gary Gilmore who became famous after he robbed two men in 1976 and killed them in cold blood. After being tried and convicted, he immediately insisted on being executed for his crime. To do so, he fought a system that seemed intent on keeping him alive long after it had sentenced him to death. And that fight for the right to die is what made him famous.Mailer tells not only Gilmore's story, but those of the men and women caught in the web of his life and drawn into his procession toward the firing squad. All with implacable authority, steely compassion, and a restraint that evokes the parched landscape and stern theology of Gilmore's Utah. THE EXECUTIONER'S SONG is a trip down the wrong side of the tracks to the deepest source of American loneliness and violence. It is a towering achievement-impossible to put down, impossible to forget. (280,000 words)
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Sleepswithbooks
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
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This chunkster has been in my TBR basket for awhile now. Ready to Read 📖

#Chunkster #TheExecutionersSong #BigasmyButt #Ilikebigbooks #Booklover

KathyWheeler I read it a few years ago and really liked it. Mikal Gilmore‘s book about his brother‘s case, Shot in the Heart, is also good. (edited) 2y
Sleepswithbooks @KathyWheeler - Oooohhhh - that looks good, I just added it to my TBR list. Thank you 😀 2y
KathyWheeler @Sleepswithbooks You‘re welcome. I hope you like it. 2y
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PageShifter It's always amazing to get one of those read! 2y
tokorowilliamwallace I checked it out from the library years ago but only got 10% in. Hopefully I'll try again sometime, hopefully I'll find it thrifting or used. 2y
Sleepswithbooks @tokorowilliamwallace - I got it from ThriftBooks.com 🙂 2y
42 likes6 comments
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jen_hayes7
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
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Spent a bit of time reading outside before it gets too hot and asking myself why I picked 1000 page book for a reading challenge. 🙃 Any other Ravenclaws out there? I‘m betting there are. 💙 #readharder2022 #ravenclaw

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jpj7474
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer

Interesting & the style is a departure from Mailer's typical prose...maybe a little choppy. Did not engender sympathy from me for Gilmore & Nicole, rather the opposite effect, became disgusted with them. But a book that can make you emote strongly either way is a good one.

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Bigcountry15
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
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Mehso-so

I finally finished this tome. This book is split into two books. In Book 1, we get to know Gary Gilmore during the three months before he murders two people. Book 2 is all about the trial and the ensuing circus surrounding his sentence. I personally found Book 2 much more interesting. I felt the writing was even better. In Book 1, I grew to dislike Gary and Nicole. The writing seemed choppy, possibly to convey the state of mind of the subjects.

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NatalieR
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
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Pickpick

So glad I finally read this door stopper! Excellent, thorough book about Gary Gilmore and the lives he impacted. I appreciate Mailer‘s emphasis on the murdered victims and their families. I believe he paid an honorable tribute to them. I feel sad for Gilmore‘s gf, Nicole. She definitely had a hard life and I suspect he forever traumatized her. So many tragedies in this story. I highly recommend Mikal Gilmore‘s book, Shot in the Heart. #MountTBR

bookaholic1 I have this, need to just read it, lol 4y
NatalieR @bookaholic1 I understand! It took me years to finally pull it off the shelf. It‘s length is intimidating, but I read it faster than expected. 4y
bookaholic1 @NatalieR that's good, I've started it but keep putting it down to read something else 4y
100 likes3 comments
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Bigcountry15
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
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"Brenda was six when she fell out of the apple tree."

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

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bibliobliss
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer

• Just want to say: I LOVE YOU 😘 LITSY!! You are the best of social media and I could do away with all the rest of the apps in the world, as long as I have you!! Love this community ❤️📚 •

Erofan ♥️♥️♥️ 5y
LeahBergen ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
39 likes1 stack add2 comments
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bibliobliss
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer

"...[Mikal] had just been afraid of Gary for years. Mikal, reading the headline on that one terrible July night, OREGON MAN HELD IN UTAH SLAYING, felt shame. "It could have been ME." He could have been the same victim of the same mindless robbery. He hated his brother then. His brother had no respect for the horrors of waste. His brother did not know that when you robbed a house, you ruined it for the people who were living there."

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KellyMuser
Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
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I‘m told Norman Mailer was the keynote speaker at my college commencement. Unfortunately, I have no recollection of it. 😱 So this is my Saturday of knitting another nest for orphaned birds, and diving into his Pulitzer Prize winner. 🐥 📚Hopefully some of this will be done outside on the porch.🌞

rabbitprincess I love the colours! Gorgeous 😊 6y
KellyMuser @rabbitprincess Thank you! 😃 6y
11 likes2 comments
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wallacereads
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
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This is intimidating.

AshleyHoss820 You can do it!! One page at a time! 😂😄 6y
Ashley_Nicoletto This is also on my TBR and it‘s so intimidating. 6y
Freespirit Wow it's a brick of a book! I do love a good big book....looking forward to your review! 6y
50 likes3 comments
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KellyHunsakerReads
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
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Listening to another #Pulitzer winner.

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Lauren.Archer
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
Pickpick

I am so glad I read this book. I have very strong feelings about this topic but this book really humanized this important issue. It amazed me all the people and processes that go into the Death Penalty.

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Lauren.Archer
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
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Change of plans, time to read this 1000+ page book.

NikkiRobson73 Amazing book! 6y
Reviewsbylola I really want to read this one but the size is daunting! 6y
Suet624 So glad you‘re checking it out. 6y
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Samplergal Loved this. So good. 6y
Lcsmcat I really need to read this. 6y
dragondrool I need to finish this sometime. 6y
Kaye Excellent 🥇 6y
117 likes1 stack add7 comments
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valeriegeary
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
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It's huge but there's a lot of white space inside. Despite my aversion to #chunksters, I'm diving in.🤞💪 🏊

valeriegeary @Caroline2 does this help make it a little less intimidating? 🙈😄 6y
arubabookwoman If you‘re like me you‘ll finish it in no time. It‘s very compelling reading, and an excellent book. I read it years ago, and also read Shot Through The Heart by MikhalGilmore, an excellent memoir by Gary Gilmore‘s brother, a writer for Rolling Stone. 6y
Caroline2 Hmmm, a little bit thanks, but I‘m still scared! 😆 Looking forward to hearing what you think of it. 👍🏻 6y
58 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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valeriegeary
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
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I rode my bike to the library to pick up this hold. I had no idea it was such a #chunkster!! Guess I'll really be getting my workout on the ride back home. 😰😰😰

Samplergal It‘s very good. Read it when it was first released and reread about 15 yrs. it‘s worth it! 6y
Reagan I just bought this. I probably stood in the store looking at t for half an hour. It‘s so big 😐 6y
valeriegeary @Samplergal so glad to hear this! 6y
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valeriegeary @Reagan-reads it's pretty intimidating..... But there's a lot of white space inside so that's good. I'm not sure how I'm going to hold it though. 💪 6y
Caroline2 Wow 😲 I‘ve had this on my tbr list for ages and yeahhh I had no idea it was so big!! I get really intimidated by big books! 😟 6y
valeriegeary @Caroline2 me too!! I'll post a pic of the inside soon though because when you see that you might be way less intimidated. 😊 6y
Reagan Haha no doubt! I‘m not sure it is a book I would take on my commute. 6y
60 likes1 stack add7 comments
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Aloisi_tribe
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
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Book: The Executioner‘s Song by Norman Mailer
Author: Eudora Welty
Movie or TV Show: ET
Food: enchiladas

#manicmonday @JoScho

JoScho Thanks for playing ❤️ 6y
Mamashep How could I have forgotten enchiladas for my fave food that starts with “e?” Yum! 6y
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bookaholic1
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
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Bought this big junk of a book today from the TRUE CRIME section...anyone read it?

bookaholic1 Suppose to be hunk not junk ugh 6y
NatalieR @bookaholic1 I tried a few years ago but bailed. 😏 I hope you have better luck with it. 🙂 6y
bookaholic1 @NatalieR so far it's good. I'm really enjoying it 6y
Amiable I'm a huge fan of narrative nonfiction--and this is one of the classics of the genre! Have you read "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote? Also excellent--and often considered the "grandfather" of the genre... 6y
bookaholic1 @Amiable yes I have it it is the fourth one coming up in my pile of non-read books. I absolutely love true crime. Have read every single book of Anne Rule. ( May she rest in peace). 6y
10 likes5 comments
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Lcsmcat
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
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@GarthRanzz I seemed to always visit Zion in the heat of the summer! I haven‘t read the Mailer, but I remember how much of an “up yours” Gilmore‘s insisting on a firing squad was. I may have to read it. My daughters met Shanon Hale at The King‘s English too. Thanks for the memories!

GarthRanzz I love The King‘s English bookstore! So glad you got some good memories out if this swap! I tried to find some vintage cards so I apologise they weren‘t emblazoned with UTAH across the front. 😊 7y
39 likes1 comment
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Skyler
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
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At 1,092 pages, it feels like I've been reading this book for AGES. Trying to finish it today, so I can start Clinton's book as soon as it arrives tomorrow! #stillwithher

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bookishbear
Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
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so many pages!

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Ald
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
Panpan

At over 1000 pages it was painful to get through this overblown saga. Elevating a psychopath and his slut of a girlfriend to folk hero status demonstrates Mailer's quest for noteriety. That this book received lauditory kudos as high journalism is ridiculous. 200 pages max would have been totally sufficient. Don't waste your time.

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Mammaletterario
Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
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I meant to post this the Saturday before last, when I got them but obviously that did not happen. My latest haul from B&N and it was a big one! Among all these beauties, I finally got the journal I have been eyeing for a very long time as well as an ink and quill set! I had heard of The Executioner's Song but never read it. Those little clips in the side are genius bookmarks that I am just now finding out about and I'm hooked!

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saguarosally
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
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I keep repeating the cycle of reading some of this book and then setting it aside. I have been doing this for about a year and I'm only through a third of the book. It's interesting but perhaps too long? 😱#ilikebigbooks #andicannotlie #booktober @RealLifeReading

Mcoun I thought it was entirely too long, especially the second half. 8y
saguarosally @Mcoun It was entirely too long about a hundred pages into it. I'll finish in a year or two. 8y
RealLifeReading 😂😂 8y
16 likes4 comments
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Janitor
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
Bailedbailed

Sexist vomit.

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MamaJody
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
Panpan

Bloated and seriously dull. Can't see why this won the Pulitzer. Wish I'd bailed.

Yossarian He approached it very journalistically. I think it benefits from being, essentially, a true story. So there's a bias in favor of that sort of thing. It probably suffers if you approach it just as fiction. 8y
MamaJody I didn't, @Yossarian. Actually quite the opposite, I came at it as a non-fiction novel. For me, there was far too much unnecessary detail. I don't need (just as an example) pages about minor characters' medical issues. There was so much bulk that added nothing whatsoever. Desperately needed a good editor. 8y
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MamaJody
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
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Taking a little train trip today, and knocking a chunk of this behemoth off on the way. How this won the Pulitzer is beyond me, but I will not give up!

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KimHM
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
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After my disappointment with the Kitty Genovese book, I needed some classic true crime and the university library provided. Here we gooooo

MMenefee I recall loving this when I read it in the mid-90s. 8y
KimHM Yes, I know In Cold Blood well, @BookishMarginalia ?. I have a pretty nice first edition, and I usually make Capote's "invention" big part of the books unit when I teach Mass Comm. I think I've been postponing The Executioner's Song because of Mailer himself, which is, of course, completely unfair. 8y
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Mcoun
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
Panpan

I was expecting this book to be like Capote's In Cold Blood, but it wasn't even close. There were a few compelling parts, but most of the book was overly detailed. The second half dragged on and on.

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JordanGraft
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
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Bailedbailed

I don't know what my problem is with Mailer; I like his writing and the depth of his characters, yet I haven't been able to finish one of his books. I bailed on this one and have been trying to finish Harlot's Ghost for 3 years. Maybe I should try a shorter one. This book had some sections that were very compelling and I couldn't stop reading, but then there would be long dull sections that seemed like tangents. It was a very meandering plot 😕

Owlizabeth Same!! 8y
ReadingEnvy Is that one fiction or non? If it is, maybe try one of his true crime books? Those are easy to get into (although I'm blanking on the title... Movie played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman.) 8y
NatalieR I bailed on this one too. 😕 8y
twohectobooks Hm, I'm just about to start The Naked and the Dead, hope it treats me better than this one treated you! 8y
saguarosally I'm still trying to get through this one though I have been working on it for a year. 8y
43 likes3 stack adds5 comments
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Curley_Bender
The Executioner's Song | Norman Mailer
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Using the Pulitzer Prize Centennial as an excuse to read three winners in 2016. In light of all the true crime buzzing around pop culture, first up is Mailer's mammoth 1980 winner about ill-fated Gary Gilmore.

SGJ Always been meaning to get to this one. Great title. 9y
AsherCrasher Currently reading. Can't put it down! 8y
6 likes2 stack adds2 comments