Norman Mailer: Works and Days

Before the Literary Bar

Mailer's self-interview for New York magazine - a mock courtroom defense of Of Women and Their Elegance as 'a false autobiography' and 'an imaginary memoir,' illustrated with Milton Greene's Monroe photographs.

“Before the Literary Bar,” a self-interview in New York (10 November 1980), with a cover photograph of Mailer — cast as a courtroom proceeding in defense of Of Women and Their Elegance (80.15), which Mailer describes as “a false autobiography” and “an imaginary memoir.” Illustrated with Milton Greene’s photographs of Marilyn Monroe: “I wanted to deepen the legend of Marilyn Monroe, not sweeten it.” Reprinted in Conversations with Norman Mailer (88.6) and Mind of an Outlaw (13.1).

First published: 1980-11-10
Form: other
Lennon & Lennon: 80.14
Cite as: /works/1980-11-10-before-the-literary-bar
Last updated: 2026-06-05