Higher Education (Kira McPherson, Ultimo)

Kira McPherson’s debut novel Higher Education portrays the turbulence of early adult life. Twenty-year-old student Sam is juggling a lacklustre university degree and family tensions. Troubled by her family’s alcohol-fuelled gatherings and her brother Brian’s recent summons to court, Sam is struggling to fit in at law school. Feeling adrift, she seeks out a mentorship with Julia, a perceptive and fastidious lawyer. Although Julia is married, Sam is enthralled by her, attracted to her efficiency and the effortless way she moves through life. During the mentorship, the two women connect over their lost fathers. With a crush bubbling under the surface, shared grief is what emboldens Sam to profess her feelings for Julia. Despite the book’s attempt to represent contemporary student ennui, the dialogue between younger characters feels at times unconvincing. Sam and her university friends are difficult to distinguish as individuals from the dialogue alone. Nevertheless, Higher Education is relatable for students due to its portrayal of blurred pathways and uncertain futures. Told from Sam’s perspective, the novel will appeal tonally to younger readers—particularly fans of Diana Reid and Emily Henry—who will relate to McPherson’s astute exploration of life on the cusp of adulthood. Although Higher Education treads the well-beaten path of sordid student-teacher relationships, it showcases the importance of learning from our experiences, rather than expecting a fairytale ending.

Saskia Paxton works as a bookseller in Melbourne. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Category: Reviews