91.46

“Mr. Mailer’s Love-Fest.” Column by Liz Smith. Newsday, 3 November. Report on party at New York’s “21” given by Random House chief, Harry Evans, to celebrate the publication of Harlot’s Ghost (91.26). Mailer was extolled by Evans, Richard Snyder of Simon and Schuster and Salman Rushdie, whose letter was read. Rushdie called Mailer “literature’s chief gladiator,” and said he “has to be judged by the highest standards. To hell with buts and maybes.” The column also reported that 91.26 was on the bestseller lists nationwide. Mailer is quoted briefly.