Literary Influencer Noel E. Parmentel Jr. Dies at 98

Noel E. Parmentel Jr., a multifaceted literary figure who significantly influenced New York's cultural landscape, has passed away at the age of 98. His longtime partner, Vivian Sorvall, confirmed that Parmentel died on September 1, 2024, at the West Haven VA Medical Center in Connecticut after a period of declining health.

Born in New Orleans and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, Parmentel relocated to Manhattan in the 1950s. Despite never completing a full-length book, he became a notable presence in the city's intellectual circles. His influence extended to promoting emerging writers and participating in unconventional political endeavors.

Parmentel's connections with prominent literary figures were extensive. He played a role in encouraging Norman Mailer's unsuccessful mayoral campaign in 1969. Mailer, a renowned American novelist and journalist, ran alongside Jimmy Breslin in a bid that ultimately proved unsuccessful. During this period, Parmentel also ventured into filmmaking, appearing in two of Mailer's productions and collaborating on documentaries with director Richard Leacock.

His impact on the career of Joan Didion was particularly significant. They met in the mid-1950s when Didion was a recent graduate of the University of California, Berkeley. Parmentel facilitated Didion's early publications, including her essays in the conservative National Review and her debut novel, "Run River." In a 1962 Esquire article, he praised Didion as "fantastically brilliant" and compared her to Mary McCarthy, another influential American writer.

"Joan Didion, the fantastically brilliant writer and Vogue editor, who, at 26, is one of the most formidable creatures heard in the land since the young Mary McCarthy."

Their relationship ended in the mid-1960s, but its impact lingered in Didion's work. She referenced Parmentel in her famous essay "Goodbye to All That" and drew inspiration from him for characters in her novels, including the acclaimed "Play It As It Lays."

Professionally, Parmentel was a versatile writer, contributing to various publications such as Commonweal, Newsweek, the National Review, and The Nation. His writing style was characterized by satire and parody, often targeting public figures like Henry Kissinger and John Lindsay, the former mayor of New York City.

In his later years, Parmentel resided in Connecticut, maintaining his distinctive writing style. A 2017 letter to The Hour in Norwalk demonstrated his enduring wit and social awareness, addressing immigration issues with his characteristic eloquence.

Parmentel's legacy in American literature is marked by his role as a catalyst and critic, influencing a generation of writers while remaining somewhat elusive in the public eye. His passing marks the end of an era in New York's literary history, leaving behind a complex and intriguing legacy.