The Executioner's Song Audiobook By Norman Mailer cover art

The Executioner's Song

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The Executioner's Song

By: Norman Mailer
Narrated by: Maxwell Hamilton
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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.

©1980 Norman Mailer (P)2018 Hachette Audio Biographical Fiction Crime Fiction Genre Fiction Jewish Heritage Literary Fiction True Crime Crime Fiction Suspense
Compelling Storytelling • Thorough Research • Engaging Character Voices • Insightful Portrayal • Pleasant Reading Voice
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I still have to give this five stars despite the imperfect narration. This outstanding book is more than worth ones time and a credit. It may not be for everyone. It touches real life like no other story.The unconditional love of Gary's family is unbelievable. The narrator doesn't convey th e charm and charisma Gilmore must of had, but there aren't many Tommy Lee Jones out there. I don't go along wit the system not giving Gary a chance.He never gave himself a chance. His alcoholism played a part in him not getting away with things and not working well for long when give the opportunity. I'm blown away by Nicoles honesty. Besides her promiscuity , She comes across as not too bright and a bit lazy.Of course these are a result of sexual abuse and depression. I found myself really liking her and caring about her. All the other characters are real people I became attached. I'm not sure if this this is an anti death penalty book.I don't think it's meant to be. If so it didn't work with me. I think the death penalty is unfairly and over used. However Gary Gilmore had it coming. Also there are things worse than death.

Still 5 Stars

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query; corollary; piqued

And I'm only halfway through. But it's too good a story to pass up. And I have a long drive ahead of me.

uneducated narrator; shoddy editing.

Maxwell Hamilton mispronounces multiple words

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Loved it. I had to rewind a few times but it was worth it.

Multiple stories of people's dynamic views.

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It pains me greatly to hear Geraldo Rivera butchered over and over and over.

Great book, awful reading

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I hesitated getting this because some reviewers were so negative about the reader. I think he does an amazing job. Three cheers for Maxwell Hamilton. For me, he's absolutely convincing as the voice of Gary Gilmore.

Reader is great

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This riveting portrait of Gary Gilmore invites listeners into a time capsule of America. Brilliant.

Mailer's Masterpiece

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Good book, long, but good. I did not know till the end it was based on a true story.

Worthy of The Pulizter Prize

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I read this one as part of my personal challenge to read all of the Pulitzer prize winners. Although it was good I cannot say that I loved it, and did not like it nearly as much as I liked Capote's [book:In Cold Blood|168642]. This one is obviously very well researched, and I appreciated that it has a very real and accurate feel. Unfortunately I thought it was much too long. If it were cut by 1/3 it would still be 600+ pages and in my opinion would be far stronger. At times I just wanted to hit fast forward.

When a person is hired to read an audiobook one of the first things they should do is learn to pronounce words and names in the book. Mr. Hamilton mispronounced both the name of the angel Moroni -- a very important name in the Mormon faith, and the name of Geraldo Rivera! Over and over and over again. Ugh!

Mispronounced names drive me a bit crazy.

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I was a little concerned about committing to a 43-hour listen with a narrator who has been thoroughly disparaged by those who have taken time to review this title, but I don't read anymore if I can help it, only listen, and this was the only way to hear this title. I was surprised to find the narrator thoroughly engaging. More of an asset to the material than a liability. It is true that there's an occasional mispronunciation, but it didn't detract from the experience for me. I'm sure I couldn't read a 43-hour book out loud without fumbling occasionally. Unfortunately, a lot of mispronunciations seem to get by into the final audiobook release of many titles. It's not the narrator's fault that the editors were taking a nap. But, like it or not, this is probably the only audiobook we'll ever get for this title, which is an absolute, must-listen for true crime fans. It's right up there with In Cold Blood and Helter Skelter as a classic of the genre. This is how it's done, folks. You don't just list facts in an emotionless way, you get inside the heads and emotions of all the characters and really feel the immediacy of the crimes and their aftermaths as if you're in the moment. There's too little of that in modern tales of true crime, basically written by hacks instead of a Pulitzer Prize winner.

Don't Shoot the Narrator!

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The narrator was terrible. He mispronounced words throughout, and his monotone was not at all engaging.

Awful Narration

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