Mailer helped secure the release of convicted murderer Jack Henry Abbott, whose letters to Mailer were published as "In the Belly of the Beast." Shortly after his release, Abbott murdered again.
I've read most of his output. I admit "Executioner's Song" was a major work.
But a lot of his stuff - like the book on MM - is a paen to his erotic dreams.
Screwed is right. Oops. My mistake. OK. NM's thinking is skewed and screwed.