I always thought that "Lolita" was an over-praised novel that intrigued an assortment of male literary editors and critics. And if the book was never what it was hailed to be, the two movies and one stage adaptation were lethal. The sexual fantasy, a post-pubescent girl beauty with an older man was shocking, provocative...all of that...which mostly satisfied some suppressed lust veiled in misguided literary accolades.

This is noted because I came across a recently released paperback called A MUCH YOUNGER MAN by an Australian woman named Diane Highbridge, published by Soho Books. This is infinitely a better book than "Lolita." If the men in charge would like to discuss the implications of a romance between a 35-year-old female schoolteacher and the 17-year-old son of a friend, may I suggest A MUCH YOUNGER MAN.

It's a classic love story - star crossed lovers, if you will - with family and society's disapproval. My inclination was to shout out "Leave 'em alone, if that's what they choose."

And, of course, there is a dialogue to be had here. There are differences between a man of thirty-five and a girl of fourteen or fifteen, as in "Lolita," and a woman of thirty-five and a lad of seventeen, as in A MUCH YOUNGER MAN. Male power and control, the difference between men and women, as well as economic dependence and the possibility of pregnancy are all factors that make the Lolita story one of fantasy and risk.

Young males always boast about a sexual assignation with a mature woman. Not so with our young man in Ms. Highbridge's novel. This sixteen-year-old has designs on a lifelong friend of his mother's. They meet by chance, and he encourages the relationship, which endangers her career as a teacher. They enter into a furtive tryst. Eventually, it becomes known. His family is enraged, her co-workers startled. Everyone is judgemental, except the boy's grandmother, who becomes the comforting shoulder for them both.

In addition to the fine story telling offered by Ms. Highbridge, it does raise questions about sexism, generational differences and society's sexual judgements. As a result, it is a much more controversial book than "Lolita," if the male literary aristocracy would consider confronting them.