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The Mailer Review/Volume 13, 2019/On the State of Mailer Studies: A Conversation with J. Michael Lennon: Difference between revisions
The Mailer Review/Volume 13, 2019/On the State of Mailer Studies: A Conversation with J. Michael Lennon (view source)
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You knew Norman Mailer for nearly four decades and you served as founding president of the Norman Mailer Society. I’m not aware of anyone alive | You knew Norman Mailer for nearly four decades and you served as founding president of the Norman Mailer Society. I’m not aware of anyone alive | ||
who knows more about Norman Mailer as friend, major literary figure, and | who knows more about Norman Mailer as friend, major literary figure, and | ||
public intellectual.What is your most powerful and lasting memory of him? | public intellectual. What is your most powerful and lasting memory of him? | ||
'''J. Michael Lennon''': It’s not an easy question. I have so many memories of | '''J. Michael Lennon''': It’s not an easy question. I have so many memories of | ||
Norman. But one of the things that has always impressed me about him, | Norman. But one of the things that has always impressed me about him, | ||
right to the very end, is ''work ethic''. Norman was always devoted to the literary arts,which took a toll on other relationships.Yet it was it was something | right to the very end, is ''work ethic''. Norman was always devoted to the literary arts,which took a toll on other relationships. Yet it was it was something | ||
that drove him. For example,when he entered the hospital for his last round | that drove him. For example, when he entered the hospital for his last round | ||
of operations and treatments, he brought with him a half dozen books on | of operations and treatments, he brought with him a half dozen books on | ||
Adolf Hitler. I was just stunned by that! I thought, oh, my God, when is he | Adolf Hitler. I was just stunned by that! I thought, oh, my God, when is he | ||
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He also | He also | ||
knew many major writers around the world, including Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Carlos Fuentes, Romain Gary, Salman Rushdie, Martin Amis, and | knew many major writers around the world, including Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Carlos Fuentes, Romain Gary, Salman Rushdie, Martin Amis, and | ||
Günter Grass. But he never really wanted to be a conspicuous part of the literary establishment | Günter Grass. But he never really wanted to be a conspicuous part of the literary establishment. He wanted to maintain a modicum of distance from it | ||
so that he could criticize it; he was resolute about not losing his independent perspective, and so he backed out of many activities. However, he was | so that he could criticize it; he was resolute about not losing his independent perspective, and so he backed out of many activities. However, he was | ||
president of PEN for a couple of years, and yes, that is certainly the establishment. But he got out of there after only two years. He called it his “church | president of PEN for a couple of years, and yes, that is certainly the establishment. But he got out of there after only two years. He called it his “church | ||
work. | work.” With Norman there was always the sense of “I want to be an outsider. I do not want to be trammeled by my affiliations with any literary, political | ||
or what-have-you establishment to the extent that it will dampen my independence, or constrict my perspective.” Norman felt that one must be there | or what-have-you establishment to the extent that it will dampen my independence, or constrict my perspective.” Norman felt that one must be there | ||
to speak to one’s time on the planet. He was also exceptionally devoted to his | to speak to one’s time on the planet. He was also exceptionally devoted to his | ||
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grew into a personal relationship, a friendship. | grew into a personal relationship, a friendship. | ||
PS: How did your scholarly interest and then your personal relationship | '''PS''': How did your scholarly interest and then your personal relationship | ||
with Norman evolve into archival work, which you have been known for | with Norman evolve into archival work, which you have been known for | ||
over many decades? | over many decades? | ||