

I enjoyed this more than I expected (after not getting on with an earlier book by de Kretser). The protagonist is intelligent & bookish but it‘s saved from being pretentious by her dysfunctional but (sort of) relatable love life & the on point, muscular writing. A great counterpoint to Woolf‘s work, satire on academia & self-deprecating coming of age. Visceral details felt true to Melbourne & I liked the friendships. Like being with a smart friend