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timmytunter's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
Trent Dalton's "All Our Shimmering Skies" is an absolute gem of a novel that left me thoroughly enchanted and deeply moved. From the very first page, I was drawn into the vibrant and often harrowing world of 12-year-old Molly Hook, a protagonist you can't help but love. Molly is brave, bold, sassy, and honest, but most of all—perhaps unjustifiably so—hopeful. I couldn’t NOT cheer her on earnestly throughout her fantastical journey.
The story's primary antagonist, Molly's cruel uncle, is a proper nasty piece of work. His relentless pursuit of Molly and her unlikely travel companions Yukio and Greta adds a chilling tension to the narrative. Yet, despite the countless harrowing events she witnesses and endures, Molly maintains an inspirationally sunny and pertinacious disposition that lights up the darkest moments of the tale.
Dalton's narrative style is nothing short of magical. His depth of detail breathes vitality into what could become a same-same backdrop of endless Australian bushland. The story reads like something of a myth or legend, with Molly embarking on a treasure hunt guided by the sky itself. The sky "talks" to her and sends her "sky gifts” to aid her along the way. This infusion of wonder and the supernatural into the harsh realities of Molly's life creates a unique and captivating blend that kept me hooked until the very end. Worth noting is that Dalton’s consultation with relevant Aboriginal communities is evident: in weaving the mystical “Longcoat Bob” into his tale, he has demonstrated sensitivity and tact via incorporating aspects of existing Aboriginal lore. Although Dalton’s tale is a work of fiction, and he embellishes his work with flourishes of magical realism, Indigenous culture is referenced respectfully.
"All Our Shimmering Skies" is a beautifully crafted novel that explores themes of hope, resilience, and love. Open your heart to the novel’s protagonists, soak up the arresting imagery, bask in Dalton’s sumptuous language, and lose yourself in a delightful tale. Highly recommended.
The story's primary antagonist, Molly's cruel uncle, is a proper nasty piece of work. His relentless pursuit of Molly and her unlikely travel companions Yukio and Greta adds a chilling tension to the narrative. Yet, despite the countless harrowing events she witnesses and endures, Molly maintains an inspirationally sunny and pertinacious disposition that lights up the darkest moments of the tale.
Dalton's narrative style is nothing short of magical. His depth of detail breathes vitality into what could become a same-same backdrop of endless Australian bushland. The story reads like something of a myth or legend, with Molly embarking on a treasure hunt guided by the sky itself. The sky "talks" to her and sends her "sky gifts” to aid her along the way. This infusion of wonder and the supernatural into the harsh realities of Molly's life creates a unique and captivating blend that kept me hooked until the very end. Worth noting is that Dalton’s consultation with relevant Aboriginal communities is evident: in weaving the mystical “Longcoat Bob” into his tale, he has demonstrated sensitivity and tact via incorporating aspects of existing Aboriginal lore. Although Dalton’s tale is a work of fiction, and he embellishes his work with flourishes of magical realism, Indigenous culture is referenced respectfully.
"All Our Shimmering Skies" is a beautifully crafted novel that explores themes of hope, resilience, and love. Open your heart to the novel’s protagonists, soak up the arresting imagery, bask in Dalton’s sumptuous language, and lose yourself in a delightful tale. Highly recommended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Violence, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Gore, Suicide, Car accident, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape
lililoves's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I should preface this by saying that I have not read Trent Dalton's 'Boy Swallows Universe' which is meant to be fantastic. In saying that, I just didn't enjoy this book as much as I wanted to.
I think, as an Australian, I have an issue with Aus fiction in general. I find the pseudo-spiritualism and over description a bit tiresome after a while (see anything by Tim Winton). Everything has to have meaning. Something just can't be a dingo or a shovel, it has to have all this external meaning attached to it.
I also think Aus authors almost view it like a competition to see how many metaphors and similes they can cram into one book. For example, when describing naval ships, Dalton writes:
I think, as an Australian, I have an issue with Aus fiction in general. I find the pseudo-spiritualism and over description a bit tiresome after a while (see anything by Tim Winton). Everything has to have meaning. Something just can't be a dingo or a shovel, it has to have all this external meaning attached to it.
I also think Aus authors almost view it like a competition to see how many metaphors and similes they can cram into one book. For example, when describing naval ships, Dalton writes:
"They are as lengthy to Sam's eyes as the dead-grass Australian Rules football fields he bounces around on with his cousins, as wide across the beam as the cricket pitches he mows into the lawn behind the church." -p.95
Maybe I am a simpleton but when everything is described as such, I find it exhausting. I do think that he managed to really capture the beauty of the Australian outback, but I couldn't enjoy it because every little thing prior was over described.
I also took issue with some of the tropes Dalton used. For example, the wise old Aboriginal man that acts as a spiritual guide. It's been done 1000 times and really does not capture how rich the Indigenous cultures are here in Australia. It also felt like he hadn't done any research into the Indigenous cultures of the area in which this book is set and instead opted to use general terms, like 'walkabout', which I feel furthers the narrative that Indigenous Australians are monocultural, which is far from true. As a white Australian, I cannot say whether this assessment of the book is true, it is just how I felt while reading and based on information I have read (or seen) from Indigenous Australians. I would like to read more adventurous fantasy based stories from Indigenous authors in the future as I just feel they would bring more depth.
This book is saved by the relationships between the characters, especially Molly and Greta, and the character of Molly in general. I think she is well written and a great example of a young girl growing up in regional Australia: headstrong, brave, and adventurous.
I also took issue with some of the tropes Dalton used. For example, the wise old Aboriginal man that acts as a spiritual guide. It's been done 1000 times and really does not capture how rich the Indigenous cultures are here in Australia. It also felt like he hadn't done any research into the Indigenous cultures of the area in which this book is set and instead opted to use general terms, like 'walkabout', which I feel furthers the narrative that Indigenous Australians are monocultural, which is far from true. As a white Australian, I cannot say whether this assessment of the book is true, it is just how I felt while reading and based on information I have read (or seen) from Indigenous Australians. I would like to read more adventurous fantasy based stories from Indigenous authors in the future as I just feel they would bring more depth.
This book is saved by the relationships between the characters, especially Molly and Greta, and the character of Molly in general. I think she is well written and a great example of a young girl growing up in regional Australia: headstrong, brave, and adventurous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual assault and Abortion
sneako's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, and Grief
Moderate: Cancer and Terminal illness
jameslyons's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I struggled to enjoy the first third of the book - way too dark, graphic and bleak for me. Most of it felt unnecessary and heavy handed, and I think Dalton could have started the book around page 200, but I was glad I pressed on if only to be transported into the magic of the outback for the rest of the book! And honestly, all these characters and not a single one of them is gay??? Same with Boy Swallows Universe. Hm.... Not exactly the "picture of Australia" his books are cracked up to be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, and Medical trauma
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