In the book "It Ended Badly: Thirteen of the Worst Breakups in History," author Jennifer Wright discusses the complexities of relationships, highlighting the dynamics between younger women and older men. She acknowledges that age differences in marriage can be acceptable, but she emphasizes a unique disapproval in the context of marrying Norman Mailer, suggesting that there are specific qualities about him that make such a union problematic.

Wright's commentary serves as a broader reflection on the nature of relationships and the significance placed on a partner's character. By focusing on Mailer, she opens a dialogue about the factors that should be considered in romantic partnerships, indicating that not all age-gap relationships are created equal, and the individual involved matters greatly.