49.3
| Norman Mailer: Works and Days |
| Navigation |
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A new edition of Norman Mailer: Works and Days is at worksdays.projectmailer.net. This page in the new edition → |
| Frontmatter |
| Preface • Lennon Introduction • Lucas Introduction • Acknowledgments and Appreciations |
| Bibliographies |
| First Editions • Key Texts • Bibliographies • Biographies • Criticism • Cultural Backgrounds |
| Works |
| Works Index • NM’s Introductions • The Big Bite • Mailer for Mayor • Abbott Affair |
| Days |
| Days Index • Important Dates |
| Index |
| Index of Names • Works Categories • Days Categories |
 Books •  Projects |
Untitled article by Associated Press writer. 1 May. In response to the condemnation of The Naked and the Dead (48.2) by the (London) Sunday Times, Mailer replies,
| “ | The Sunday Times is certainly entitled to its opinion—but I don’t agree with it. I wrote the book in good faith and don’t think it is obscene. I think as a matter of fact, that it’s less obscene than some salacious books that have foul words only here and there. When you look at the book as a whole, I don’t think you notice any obscenity in it. The obscenity—if you want to call it that—in The Naked and the Dead is like a bell ringing in the background while you work. Before long you don’t notice it anymore. | ” |
The possible banning of the book was discussed on the floor of the House of Commons, and widely in the British press. The British Attorney General, Sir Hartley Shawcross, while finding the novel to be “foul, lewd and revolting,” ultimately decided not to initiate proceedings against it. See 65.21, 68.31, 92.12, 95.53.
