pam_sartain's review against another edition
4.0
Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton is quite a harrowing read which tells the tale of the life of a 13 year old boy, Eli, and his mute brother August, set in Queensland, Australia.
There are other characters, like his mother and her boyfriend, Lyle, who are both drug dealers, a father who he can't ask about, and Slim, who is a convicted murderer, Eli's best friend and baby sitter.
A red telephone, prophecies drawn in the air by August, and drugs are key points in the book, and there's a hint of magic, but not enough to turn you off this book if you don't like fantasy. It's not a fantasy book. It's a coming of age tale, where you see everything from Eli's perspective, and sometimes he isn't sure what's happened. Or he is, but lies to himself.
Boy Swallows Universe is Trent Dalton's debut novel, but he's an accomplished journalist, having been nominated for awards in Australia.
This is partly based on Dalton's own childhood, and he talks about it in a post for HarperCollins. This put a whole new spin on the book for me!
I enjoyed Boy Swallows Universe, and if you like coming of age stories, with some crime mixed in, you'll enjoy this!
Boy Swallows Universe was published on 5th July 2018, and is available on Amazon to buy on Kindle and on Waterstones to pre-order the hardback, which is coming out on 16th May this year. I've found a link to where you can search for local bookshops, including independent!
I was given this book for free in return for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to HarperCollins (the publishers) for this book.
There are other characters, like his mother and her boyfriend, Lyle, who are both drug dealers, a father who he can't ask about, and Slim, who is a convicted murderer, Eli's best friend and baby sitter.
A red telephone, prophecies drawn in the air by August, and drugs are key points in the book, and there's a hint of magic, but not enough to turn you off this book if you don't like fantasy. It's not a fantasy book. It's a coming of age tale, where you see everything from Eli's perspective, and sometimes he isn't sure what's happened. Or he is, but lies to himself.
Boy Swallows Universe is Trent Dalton's debut novel, but he's an accomplished journalist, having been nominated for awards in Australia.
This is partly based on Dalton's own childhood, and he talks about it in a post for HarperCollins. This put a whole new spin on the book for me!
I enjoyed Boy Swallows Universe, and if you like coming of age stories, with some crime mixed in, you'll enjoy this!
Boy Swallows Universe was published on 5th July 2018, and is available on Amazon to buy on Kindle and on Waterstones to pre-order the hardback, which is coming out on 16th May this year. I've found a link to where you can search for local bookshops, including independent!
I was given this book for free in return for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to HarperCollins (the publishers) for this book.
becmc04's review against another edition
5.0
This novel really pulled me in. It definitely lived up to its hype. Its everything and more I would want in a book. I completely recommend this novel.
jess_the_bookdragon's review against another edition
5.0
Gritty, gripping and gorgeous. Fascinating exploration of good and bad with the returning question "do you think you're a good man?" And how all bad people begin with bad fathers
Best book I've read this year
Best book I've read this year
ilirrik's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Whilst I really enjoyed Elis story and life journey, I struggled to read thus book. It was a bit slow and very real and it taking part in where I grew up made it feel more real.
crazysecondname's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
der anfang war ein bisschen zäh irgendwie aber das ende war gut
der letzte satz war dann wieder unnötig deswegen kann ich keone 4 sterne geben naja
der letzte satz war dann wieder unnötig deswegen kann ich keone 4 sterne geben naja
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Drug abuse
livfin's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
tessaays's review against another edition
4.0
So, so beautiful, an absolutely breathtaking debut. I desperately wanted to love it all the way through but for me the ending was a let down - it didn’t need the drama and the plot twists, the writing was so beautiful without them. The ending became distracting with all the thrill and intrigue. I wish the author had stuck to the magic realism in the first 80% of the novel, it was so beautifully rendered.
alex_smith03's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0