The Fight by Norman Mailer
The Fight by Norman Mailer
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Tuesday, 05, May 2009 02:11
Published by Penguin Modern Classics, out May 13th 2009, paperback, 239 pp, £10.99.
In a nutshell...
Astute, wry, informed, impassioned and mystical.
What's it all about?
Muhammad Ali - the greatest personality and arguably the greatest practitioner the sport of boxing has ever seen - appears to be fighting a losing battle with 'Big' George Foreman in the build up to the infamous 'Rumble in the Jungle'. Observed by feted writer and boxing enthusiast Norman Mailer Ali appears lethargic and even apathetic during the build up to one of the biggest sporting events ever held in Africa.
Mailer here traces Ali's journey to the ring, mixing personal observations, an astute eye for boxing and psychological studies of both boxers to give a colourful and account of the build up and eventual contest.
Who's it by?
Twice a winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Normal Mailer was one of America's greatest writers at the time of his death in 2007.
Rocketing to fame following the publication of his debut novel, The Naked and the Dead, Mailer was a key protagonist in the development of so-called 'New Journalism'. His lyrical, non-fiction narratives put the writer at the centre of events, but maintain a sense of objective observation.
While The Fight is not considered one of his major works, it demonstrates Mailer's sporting awareness and an shrewd understanding of the world of boxing.
As an example.
"The fight would be a religious war. That would be Ali's advantage. Who could say Ali was without a chance in any religious war that took place in Africa? Norman has smiled when first hearing of the match, thinking of evil eyes, conjurers, and black psychological fields."
Likelihood of becoming a Hollywood blockbuster
Having already been developed into Academy Award winning When We Were Kings, the Rumble in the Jungle has had untold cultural influence. A book by George Plimpton and the film Ali, starring Will Smith, have also covered the events, making a further big screen adaptation unlikely in the near future.
What the others say
"In Mr Mailer's account, the drama is exquisitely refined and attenuated. First we get to know Norman the boxing buff, whose passion for the sport 'could take him away from his own work for months and more'. The through him we get to know the principals; Muhammad Ali himself, who comes across in these pages as a far more interesting and complex man than one could divine from seeing the interesting and complex public image; and George Foreman the champion, who is simply likeable and terrifying." - Christopher Lehmann-Haupt
So is it any good?
Mailer came under attack during the preparation of this work. He had been promising a great, epic novel for years - and this trivial diversion appeared to once again delay this tantalizing prospect. Taking months off to gallivant around Africa appeared a dereliction of the position Mailer had assigned himself in American literature.
However, once the work had been completed, this argument appears invalid.
This is a sparkling account of one of the greatest boxing matches of modern times. Indeed, it can be considered the strongest account of the fight. While the journalistic talent at ringside was at least the equal to the boxers on display - with George Plimpton and Hunter S Thompson also taking their seats - others did not enhance their reputations here. For example, Thompson missed the fight; face down, drunk and stoned in a nearby swimming pool.
Thus, this is a unique account. Written with perceptive insight of the fight game, Mailer places the fight in its historical, sporting, religious and cultural context, before conducting a blow for blow account of the fight of the highest order. A great work by a great man.
8/10
Chris O'Toole