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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About this listen

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 Literary Fiction True Crime Fiction Suspense
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What listeners say about The Executioner's Song

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Helpful Hint for Those Suffering Thru This Narr

In complete transparency, I haven't yet finished this book I'm about half way through it. The story is riveting. The book is so well written. Unfortunately the narrator is almost impossible to listen to. Other reviewers have captured my thoughts about him so I won't repeat them here. Here's some good news though. If you're using the Audible app, you can increase the narration speed up to 1.25 and it's better. It eliminates the ill placed - I guess intended to be - dramatic pauses and even helps a bit with the odd voice inflections. Doesn't do a thing for the mispronunciations though. I guess Scott Brick or some of the other masters weren't available for this Pulitzer Prize winner.....???? Sooooooo disappointed after waiting on this book for so long.

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54 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Good Listen

Don't know why there was so much hate in the reviews of the narrator. Yes, it could have been edited better, but I think he did a great job.

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17 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

one of the best books I have ever listened to!!

this book will be in my heart forever, the guy reading it, did one more sensational jobs!!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Mis-pronunciations abound

While Maxwell Hamilton’s voice portrayal of the people in this book is very good, why was no one on hand to help him with pronunciation? Why were so many mispronunciations left in the final produced recording? The annoyance this causes starts small and keeps growing. You find yourself listening for the mistakes. From simple misses like “Ritter was accused of personal immortality...” to common words, (vestibule, wampum and impugned which is pronounced here as if it rhymes with expunged), to place names (Chartres Cathedral, Wasatch Mountains) to the names of the famous, the mispronunciations just keep rolling.

Thomas Aquinas is pronounced with the emphasis on the first syllable and a short i. David Suskind’s last name suffers the short i as well. Melvin Belli’s last name is pronounced to rhyme with jelly. And Geraldo Rivera’s first name is pronounced with a hard G rather than an H, over and over and over. With the exception of Aquinas, these people appear again and again in this work, so each represents a series of repeated groan-worthy mistakes. You find yourself tensing for the next blow.

The book itself is ponderously long and would have benefited from aggressive editing. The writing is underwhelming, with ‘real’ and ‘really’ being shamelessly over-used. It is a good tale, worth the telling. I wish it had been done better, and offered here without the bruising number of mispronunciations.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing

I read this book many years ago and thought it was great.

Having listened to this book brings the characters to life.

There are some instances in which the narration could have used some assistance.

Over all just as gripping as the paper book!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

a lot more detail than the movie

seen the movie many times. I grew up in Utah county. was only a kid when all of this happened. only in elementary school. actually remember them filming some seens.But later in life worked at the Utah State prison in draper where he was executed. so it's always interested me. now hearing the book it's really letting me know more than the movie ever could have. great author. have read a couple of his non-fiction books. always real descriptive. since I grew up in the area, I can picture all the areas they talk about in the book.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Still 5 Stars

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.

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12 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Maxwell Hamilton mispronounces multiple words

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.

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11 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Multiple stories of people's dynamic views.

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

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great book, awful reading

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

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