Harlot's Ghost

A Novel

By: Norman Mailer

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

With unprecedented scope and consummate skill, Norman Mailer unfolds a rich and riveting epic of an American spy. Harry Hubbard is the son and godson of CIA legends. His journey to learn the secrets of his society - and his own past - takes him through the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the "momentous catastrophe" of the Kennedy assassination. All the while, Hubbard is haunted by women who were loved by both his godfather and President Kennedy. Featuring a tapestry of unforgettable characters both real and imagined, Harlot's Ghost is a panoramic achievement in the tradition of Tolstoy, Melville, and Balzac, a triumph of Mailer's literary prowess.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©1991 Norman Mailer. (P)2016 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved. Grateful acknowledgment is made to the following for permission to reprint previously published material: FABER AND FABER LIMITED: Five lines from “The Waste Land” from Collected Poems, 1909-1962 (pp. 27-28), © 1964, 1963 by T. S. Eliot. Rights throughout the world excluding the USA are controlled by Faber and Faber Limited. Reprinted by permission of Faber and Faber Limited. THE NEW REPUBLIC: Excerpts from “Unofficial Envoy” by Jean Daniel, December 13, 1963, and excerpts from “When Castro Heard the News” by Jean Daniel, December 7, 1963. © 1963 by The New Republic, Inc. Reprinted by permission of The New Republic.

Superlative!

I have long been a fan of Norman Mailer; this book did not disappoint. It follows the career of fictional Harry Hubbard, rich, entitled son and godson of CIA hierarchy, as his career in the CIA develops from the 1950s until after the Kennedy assassination. He blends factual events, historical persons and mainly fictionalized characters as relations and schemes in espionage play out. These are no James Bond type heroes but complex characters with all their flaws and foibles. Through his descriptions, he keeps the tension high for all 48 hours of this book. His characters are not superhuman, but very fallible and driven by their own demons and desires. The book is beautifully written with well developed characters.

great performance

how was the performance?

really terrific & kept me in it through some of the dryer moments. amazing novel but what an audio novel!

Thought provoking work

There is no question in my mind that Mailer has been and continues to be one of America's best writer's. This work, could have gotten 5 stars from me but for the kind of non ending ending which leaves me in mind of those modern writer's who are setting their audience up for one or more sequels. Lots of loose ends still waving in the breeze after the last word had been read. However, aside from that, whether the story was purely fictional or semi factual, it left me with a perception of recent US history that syncs with a good many revisionist historical accounts that have surfaced over the past several years. It was, in my mind, very well written...imaginative plot, characters with seeming real lives who I could relate to, whether in a positive or negative manner, behavior that was driven by the characters human motivations, and clear, concise description. Whether the story can be viewed as
"realistic" or outlandish, depends on the reader...who, I think, will be greatly entertained, either way. My complaint about the ending could be a result of: 1) the idea of sequels, stated above, 2) the author rushing for a conclusion for reasons unstated or, 3) it ends the way life ends...lots and lots of unanswered questions.

very nicely done

I almost didn't listen when I learned it was 40 hours however by the first chapter I was hooked very well written very interesting I absolutely loved it

it was very long BUT interesting

I liked the detail and the descriptives. I was in high school and college during most of the timeframe of the book and found it very nostalgic. I am glad he used real names as he said in the after book remarks.

Lengthy, incredibly deep, enjoyable.

Since I first bought a used first edition copy of 'Of a Fire on the Moon' based solely on the cover painting and the fact that Mailer looked like my friend in 40 years, I have reread his works over and over. I know he comes of as pretentious to some, but so do I most likely. his writing inspires me to write and to seek others who write like him.

I'm not certain if I could get through Harlot if I was reading it in paperback. One of the many benefits of a solitary job requiring much labor and little thought. 40 or more hours of book time. I also think Stefan Rudnick is the perfect narrator, he grew on me immensely throughout and I was sad to see him go.

the book is well written, I think Mailer is a better journalist but this novel was interesting and takes the reader on many interesting and looping arcs. I found it bizarre at times but if not completely accurate in the facts (I would have no idea) it none the less paints an interesting picture of life in an era I will never experience.

if you have long hours to work, give it a go. shit, it even gave me Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater vibes at times. if you lack for time or patience, try out the aforementioned 'Of a Fire on the Moon'.

it's hard for me to give an clear review because I obviously favor Mailer and most of his works. take this with a grain of salt.

Masterpiece

The definitive novel of the CIA. Hollywood take notice, this needs to be a limited series show.

Brilliantly done

I am not a fan generally of Mailer but the subject matter here has great interest for it spans my life.
I was gripped from the beginning & barely could wait as story advanced.
Mailer is a master storyteller and wordsmith; the narrator is excellent on all counts.
What a breathtaking fiction/nonfiction mashup. Worth the read!

Covert Blueprint: US, Cuba & the CIA

This was a pretty exhausting review of the covert background to the early’60’s. The PDF is essential to understanding the book. Mailer has done us a favour by doing the research on the CIA and then providing us this synthesis. Writing this story in the form of a dialogue between important characters is a great way to peruse all the various POVs. I read this book at the same time the podcast “Who killed JFK?” was published. They complimented each other. In short, I’ve come to believe that CIA’s Bill Harvey was one of the masterminds behind the assassination, along with other rogue members of the CIA, Mafia & the Military. There were 4 shooters. Oswald was what he said he was, ‘a patsy’. The brothers K made many mistakes including underestimating their enemies. It is a shame.
-Dale J.

Timely & Terrific

Harlots Ghost has been gathering dust on my bookshelf for decades. It's girth combined with slow reading and distractions are my excuses.
This audiobook cut through these pretexts and delivered both a terrific work that otherwise was inaccessible to me, and a needed reminder of how great Mailer was at his art. Highly recommended! It also explains the most current variety of political madness.