Norman Mailer, Lifesshorter

Norman Mailer, a giant of American and world literature died on Saturday at the age of 84.

The novelist, writer, journalist and film director was never far from controversy, but a close friend said yesterday 'He had such a compendium of what it meant to be alive. He never thought the boundaries were restricted. He'd go anywhere and try anything'. That makes Norman Mailer an honorary Lifesshorter.

He will be remembered for his books 'The Naked And The Dead' and 'The Executioners Song', and his writings like 'The Rumble In The Jungle' about the Ali vs Forman fight in '74.


















But it is as a 'life-liver' that interests the Lifesshort team. He cared not for the way that establishment thought he ought to be, taught how he ought to be; and he dabbled in avant garde, black power, drugs and general subversion. Thus he became known for his public persona as much as his publications. He outraged feminists with his attacks on women's liberation, disdained technology, and brawled, drank and smoked marijuana.

Lifesshort doesn't aspire to or condone any of these things, but Norman Mailer was a courageous person, a great person, fully confident, with a great sense of optimism, and for that we salute him.

http://www.lifesshort.co.uk/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7088648.stm