1981

In late June, Mailer writes the introduction for and helps arrange the publication by Random House of In the Belly of the Beast: Letters from Prison by Jack Henry Abbott, who is released on parole in June after Mailer and several others in the literary community write letters to the parole board attesting to Abbott's literary ability.

On 18 July, Abbott stabs to death Richard Adan, a 22-year old actor, in New York City. Abbott is subsequently convicted and sentenced for the crime. Mailer attends his trial, and is attacked by the media for his sponsorship of Abbott.

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  Mailers in Maine, 1981.

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  Jack Abbott and NM, 1981.

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  Mailer and Norris in 1981.