Norman Mailer

1923 Norman Mailer (d. November 10, 2007), American novelist (Ancient Evenings; The Naked and the Dead) and journalist. In 1955, Mailer co-founded The Village Voice, and he was editor of Dissent from 1954 until 1963. He was imprisoned in 1967 for his role in demonstrations against the war in Vietnam. He was president of the US Chapter of International PEN, the fellowship of writers, from 1984 to 1986.

Like Truman Capote, Mailer helped bring about the non-fiction novel. In the 1960s and '70s he developed a form of journalism, that combines actual events, autobiography, and political commentary, and adds the richness of the novel.

Adele Morales Mailer called her husband a "faggot" when he was drunk and stoned at 4 am at a party to launch his mayoral campaign, whereupon Mailer stabbed her twice with a penknife, nearly killing her. It has been said that feminist Kate Millett coined the phase 'male chauvinist pig' in reference to Mailer ...

Categories: author, literature, american-literature, biography, feminism