Michaela is 18. She’s just finished high school in Canberra and scores a scholarship to a prestigious Sydney university. Michaela’s room is next to Eve’s and, as they’re doing the same philosophy unit, they strike up a friendship. Michaela has moved to Sydney and lives in an alien academic environment with a new friendship circle. She’s a fish out of water. There’s some academic discourse amid the drinking and partying, but it’s the fumbling, drunken sex Michaela has with a then-unknown partner that becomes the focal point of the narrative.

Michaela takes us through her first year. Initially, she can’t quite follow Professor Rosen’s lecture on morals and mores. Eve, however, seems very knowledgeable. After receiving a poor essay mark, Michaela sees Professor Rosen in his rooms. A frisson between them turns romantic, despite his being double her age.

Eve is acutely interested in Michaela’s sexual encounter. Michaela is merely embarrassed about her drunkenness, but Eve is convinced she can’t have consented. Eve threatens to expose Michaela’s story in the student newspaper, arguing against what she sees as the unfettered misogyny on campus.

A number of philosophical questions are posed. Can you be alcohol-affected and still consent? Gender power imbalances are tackled head-on, but from a clever nuanced perspective.

Very much a writer to watch.

Reviewed by Bob Moore