A single mother finds herself ensnared in a volatile, cyclical relationship with a man struggling with heroin addiction. Nora, the protagonist, navigates the bohemian landscape of 1970s Melbourne while attempting to balance her responsibilities as a parent with her obsessive attachment to Javo. The narrative framework is intimate and observational, capturing the raw, unvarnished reality of their mutual dependencies. As they attempt to detach, the emotional and physical gravity of their connection repeatedly pulls them back into a state of mutual entrapment.

Readers and critics frequently highlight the novel's unflinching honesty regarding the messy, often painful nature of human connection. Discussion often centers on the protagonist's internal conflict as she balances her maternal duties with her destructive romantic impulses. Many observers note the effectiveness of the atmospheric writing, which captures the specific social climate of its era without relying on nostalgia. The work is widely recognized for its refusal to provide easy resolutions, instead focusing on the cyclical nature of addiction and attachment. It remains a significant point of reference for those interested in the evolution of Australian urban literature.