Plot summary, “The Executioner’s Song” by Norman Mailer in 5 Minutes - Book Review

“The Executioner’s Song“ is a novel written by Norman Mailer and published in 1979. The story is based on the true events surrounding the life and death of Gary Gilmore, a convicted murderer who was executed by firing squad in Utah in 1977. The novel explores Gilmore’s troubled past and his descent into a life of crime, as well as the legal and political debates surrounding his trial and execution. It also delves into the lives of the people who knew Gilmore, including his family, his girlfriend, and the men who carried out his sentence. The novel is a sprawling epic that spans decades and offers a nuanced portrait of a complex and troubled individual. Mailer’s prose is intense and unflinching, capturing the raw emotions and brutal realities of Gilmore’s life and death. “The Executioner’s Song“ is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that raises important questions about justice, morality, and the nature of humanity.