Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton

45 reviews

rosecoleman's review against another edition

emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.75

Started very descriptive and therefore a bit slow but oh boy did it redeem itself, wow

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Violence, and Murder

halftimelord's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Boy Swallows Universe had me hooked from the moment I picked it up. It's full of likeable characters (and monsters), and manages to be tense, heart-breaking and funny at the same time. When I got to the final act, I absolutely couldn't put the book down. Will be thinking about Eli and Gus for a long time! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Gore

hazelheaded's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The book was intriguing and tense, though it was a traumatic read the majority of the time I kept coming back to it because I needed to know what happened.

Slim was a great babysitter!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Gore, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Blood, Kidnapping, and Murder

Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, and Car accident

tiffany_stevenson's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A fantastic book! I can’t tell you exactly why it deserves 5 stars but I loved it and would read it again! It definitely gets you in your feels

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Violence, and Murder

librosdenopal's review against another edition

really slow and almost too much description and side stories.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism

timmytunter's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense 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

I found "Boy Swallows Universe" by Trent Dalton to be an exceptional and moving novel. Dalton’s prose effectively transports the reader to 1980s suburban Australia, evoking nostalgia via pages spattered with single-scoop Gray-Nicholls cricket bats, Golden Gaytimes, Pasito soft drink, gobstoppers and clinkers, and the TV show "Sale of the Century." His unique way of writing captures the essence of the era and immerses you in the world he has created.

The book’s protagonist, Eli Bell, serves as the narrator, and Dalton has given him a distinctive voice. It seems very apt to Eli’s effervescent nature that the narration is often excitable, loquacious, and very stream-of-consciousness. This style brings Eli’s character to life and makes his experiences and emotions incredibly relatable.

The characters Dalton has created are incredibly flawed, yet in many cases, loveable people. Eli and his brother August grow up in poverty, surrounded by adults who do not behave like adults. The boys are frequently required to step into the adult role, caring for themselves and the adults in their lives, as they navigate an alcoholic father, an heroin-addicted mother, a drug dealing stepfather, and a convicted murder for a babysitter. Despite their challenging circumstances, their bond is heartwarming and their resilience is inspiring.

The book speaks of trauma and healing, family love and romantic love, what makes someone “good,” mentorship, striving for justice, loss and resilience, and redemption and forgiveness. One of the most memorable quotes from the book is a conversation between August and Eli:

‘You know what I realised in all that time with my mouth shut?'
‘What?'
'Most things people say don't need to be said,’ he says.
He taps the moon pool.
‘I’ve been thinking about all the things Lyle said to me,' August says. 'He said so many things, and I reckon all those things put together wouldn’t say as much as he said when he’d wrap his arm around my shoulder.’

I cannot deny that a certain escapist mindset is required to step out of the real world and into the pages of "Boy Swallows Universe." This fictional world is one where the traumatized, the impoverished, and the societal outcasts overcome their circumstances if they put their minds to it. And score the job of their dreams, and the girl of their dreams, to boot. Despite all the real-world details and nostalgic references, there is a distinct extra-reality note to it all. Real life often doesn’t have a happy ending. This is not to detract from the tale but merely to recognise it for its allegorical, sentimental, and idealistic nature, and its slightly saccharine ending. 

Read with the appropriate mindset, this novel is one to be savoured, as it fills you with hope and optimism. Dalton’s storytelling is captivating, and his characters leave a lasting impression. I highly recommend "Boy Swallows Universe" to anyone looking for a powerful and uplifting read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug use, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Animal cruelty

adriennegg's review

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Violence, Murder, and Abandonment

Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Physical abuse, Torture, and Car accident

mishsquishhhh's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Loved it. Following the upbringing of a boy in a typical Queensland (Aussie) lower socioeconomic area. I found it really relatable, dark, emotional, and raw but hard to put down by the end.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, and Violence

rhiannonhoward's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

barabarayorkie's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad tense 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

4.75

Such a heartfelt and touching story. Eli and Gus pull at your heartstrings from the first page. Such an incredible book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gore, and Violence