Oswald's Tale

An American Mystery

By: Norman Mailer

Narrated by: Christopher Lane

Length: 29 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

In perhaps his most important literary feat, Norman Mailer fashions an unprecedented portrait of one of the great villains - and enigmas - in United States history. Here is Lee Harvey Oswald - his family background, troubled marriage, controversial journey to Russia, and return to an "America [waiting] for him like an angry relative whose eyes glare in the heat." Based on KGB and FBI transcripts, government reports, letters and diaries, and Mailer's own international research, this is an epic account of a man whose cunning, duplicity, and self-invention were both at home in and at odds with the country he forever altered.

©1995 Norman Mailer. (P)2016 Brilliance Audio, Inc, all rights reserved.

Interesting but anticlimactic

Fascinating all the way through, but Mailer cops out at the end. He basically just says "Well, we're not going to get into ballistics, and the assassination seems Ike something Oswald would have done, so despite all of the contrary evidence I have just presented, let's just go with that." It's like a meticulous defense lawyer closing the case by just shrugging and saying "Your honor, he looks pretty guilty."

It’s a long one. But a good one

For those of you that are curious about the various Kennedy assassination legends, this book provides a more in depth perspective and a deep look into the mind of Oswald.

Outstanding

Norman Mailer does a fantastic job of relating the facts and theories of the Kennedy tragedy. He weaves enthralling story of the personalities in Oswalds life. I learned many new details and got a better insight into what I already knew, about Oswald and his family. Although long I never found the book tedious. Wonderful narration.

Truly Oswald’s Tale

Mailer humanizes perhaps the shadowiest figure in U.S. history. He evokes empathy as Oswald struggles to find meaning in life and pity when Lee determines that infamy is the vehicle. Mailer lays out Oswald’s repeated failed attempts to garner attention, which depress him further fail but unintentionally insulate him from the scrutiny he deserves from law enforcement. Fate issues an incredible set of circumstances that all but ordain his epic deed and equally momentous murder. All along the way, we meet an amazing cast of characters. Even though it is a story many of us know in detail, Oswald’s Tale, told in novel style,forces us to examine from another vantage point this mental tattoo on the collective memory of humankind.

A Fascinating Awful Tale

Of course you know the terrible outcome, but not the biographical details. No position is taken on the conspiracy versus lone gunman argument, but facts of the tale are laid out for the reader to reach their own conclusions (or not!). I loved it and Christopher Lane delivered the numerous voices wonderfully.

Mailer’s Ticket to Heaven

The most interesting book I’ve encountered in over 60 years of reading. A work of enduring genius.

Excellent narrative of psychological development

Magnificent description of the historical background into the early sixties of the conflicting views of the U.S. and Soviet Union. Also original and insightful narrative of the consequences of Hitlers invasion to the Soviet Union and the abduction of young women as slaves to work in German factories.

Beyond Brilliant

I Was hesitant to purchase bc I’ve read too many JFK books to count. So glad I took the plunge. Probably the most enjoyable audiobook I’ve ever listened to. The performance by Mr. Lane is subtly brilliant. Working with Mailer’s perfect prose, Lane does the work justice. I never wanted it to end.

Fantastic Read

Fantastic Book On Oswald And The JFK Assassination, Christopher Lane Does A Wonderful Job With The Narration, I Learned A Ton About Oswald`s Background Which Helps Make Sense Of His Character And How He Came To Be One Of The Most Notorious Killers Ever.

So detailed and very interesting

This is this most detailed book you will EVER read about Oswald and now I can mostly understand the JFK assassination, after listening to this book I feel so much more educated on Oswald and I now able to finally mostly understand what happened and why. No other book neither for or against the Warren report has helped me understand better than this book. An absolute must read