#18100508 in Books #File Name: B000GSUN9E
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Not Your Usual Pulitzer FareBy CS LordAtypical writing for Mailer. Written in less like a novel and more like a nonfiction account Mailer dispenses with metaphor; simile; and other literary devices and delves into tortured life of murderer; and artist Gary Gilmore; the 1st man to be executed in the US after the supreme court lifted the ban on capital punishment. The cast of characters is huge and includes members of Gilmore's immediate family his deeply loved and flawed girlfriend; Nicole Baker; the attorneys involved on all sides of the equation; those for the execution by firing squad; those against; national and Utah state journalists; movie producers; and more. It is a love story told without sentimentality. It is also the story of events set into motion by the state of Utah death sentence which garnered national as well as international attention. It is a Pulitzer book that causes one to look within on the issue of capital punishment. As mentioned in the forward by Dave Eggers; Mailer's main achievement consists of 1000 pages written without any insertion of the authors viewpoint on the controversial subject of capital punishment. It's engrossing and difficult to put down. Not a book one will read and forget.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A HIGHLY detailed accountBy Bradley H.I chose my rating based upon the level of interest I had to keep reading this incredible piece of work. Gilmore and his personality are what make this book captivating and a desire to see his influence on how events unfold.From the beginning this book was not what I expected it to be. Very few books I have read on any event have been so completely documented. The insistence upon giving all sides their voice in regards to Gilmore's latter days and execution is really charming. The dedication of the author to convey the thoughts of every major player involved gives a better view into what people were experiencing at this time.One area I would liked to have seen more strongly represented is the experience of the victim's survivors. However; the picture is so complete otherwise it seems quite intentionally left out.I can recommend this book to anyone curious about the effects of the sentence of capitol punishment not only for the criminal; but also for their family; friends and lovers. Included as well are the litigators and reporters that eventually become involved.6 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Let down.By Kindle CustomerI had been wanting to read this book for long time now. I was interested for a number of reasons - I was a Criminal Justice major in college which led me to an interest in the death penalty and I am from Northern Utah. I guess I just didn't get what I thought I would. The book read like fiction; which I guess could be both good and bad depending. By the end there were so many people involved; I felt like I needed a flow chart. I also must have lost the reasoning of the inclusion of so many letters from Gary to Nicole. By that time we knew the background of both and all it did was reiterate Gary's lack of control over his emotions. I have to say I was bored by the end of the book I almost stopped. Perhaps people involved with the courts would stay focused. I really wanted to like this book; but it just didn't do it for me.
