Like most of Klein's works, Older Men treats in a serious, realistic fashion problems of growing up. However, this novel seems to have more loose ends than most of Klein's books, perhaps in part as a result of Klein's attempt to work her way through her extremely close relationship to her own deceased father, who was a psychoanalyst. For example, why Dr. Dintenfass's stepchildren from his first marriage are also named Dintenfass is never explained.

Early in the novel, Elise says that her mother and father both grew up in poverty, yet later Elise comments that her maternal grandfather is very wealthy. No explanation of the contradiction or the change in his fortunes is given.

Elise is an extremely intelligent young woman, and she reads widely.

She also has seen many excellent movies. The novel refers to works of literature that Elise has read or that...