Norman Mailer: Works and Days

The Rolling Stone Interview, Part II: Sympathy for the Devil

The second part of Stratton's Rolling Stone interview: Mailer's longest discussion of God and the Devil since 1959, plus comment on Women's Liberation, Pynchon, the novel in progress, rock and roll, Patti Hearst, and literary deadlines.

“The Rolling Stone Interview, Part II: Sympathy for the Devil,” by Richard Stratton with Annie Leibovitz photographs (Rolling Stone, 16 January 1975) — Mailer’s longest interview discussion of God and the Devil since 59.2, ranging on to Women’s Liberation, Ken Kesey, Thomas Pynchon, his novel in progress (Ancient Evenings, 83.18), the Rolling Stones, Patti Hearst, LSD, Ulysses S. Grant, and literary deadlines: “Literature is not a temple. Literature is an act. If you’re a working literary man, it’s obviously analogous to a sexual act. You’re better on some days than on others.” Reprinted as the second part of “In Search of the Devil” in Pieces and Pontifications (82.16). See 75.11, 82.15, 83.45, 89.11; continues Part I (75.1).

First published: 1975-01-16
Form: interview
Lennon & Lennon: 75.2
Cite as: /works/1975-01-16-rolling-stone-sympathy-for-the-devil
Last updated: 2026-06-04