To the above: “Even for those of us who are prudish about spouse-stabbing and political nihilism …”

Since when is objecting to spouse-stabbing “prudish”? As to political nihilism, it seems to have been quite fashionable, off and on, for some years.

Mailer’s main legacy to us, the common folk, is his unstinting praise of the perverse, particularly in himself. He was a shock-jock, and, despite the kudos from many, not an especially good writer. Unless you count befuddlement as a talent.