The Good Parents, By Joan London

In this expansive second novel, Joan London, thoughtfully dissects the mechanics of erotic desire. Maya de Jong, an 18-year old country-girl, moves to Melbourne where she begins an affair with her married boss.

A 50-year-old with "ivory skin", "pale shirts" and a "gold-buckled belt", Maynard Flynn shows Maya little affection, forgets what she says, and gets caught out in lies but Maya has become addicted to their enthralling dance of longing and gratification.

With her parents due to visit the city, she agrees to accompany her lover out of town, leaving no word as to her whereabouts. Left to wait, Maya's parents have plenty of time to recall their own youthful affairs. An arresting novel that explains the attraction of bad love for young women attempting to break free.