Reviews

Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton

elsagrannvale's review against another edition

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4.0

Good book!!!! It gave me what I've been longing for since I gave up on Murakami, to be honest, sprinkled with some stream of consciousness and chaos. A little bit cheesy at times but also heartwarming in all the darkness.

chloefaye's review against another edition

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5.0

I loved this book. The subtle element of magic was intriguing and I loved watching a beautiful brotherly relationship unfold.

sweet_ness's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

elizamkc's review against another edition

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5.0

When I finished this book I was stunned with a moment of grief, face with the thought that no other book will be as good as the one I had just read.
Multiple times the novel came to a climax and I would wonder how Dalton would fill the following 100+ pages, but I should have had more faith. The story is gut wrenching at times, but also filled with moments of joy, companionship and humour. Set in a refreshingly Australian context.

mrssymcock's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad slow-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? It's complicated

5.0

rageon787's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

4.5

enken's review against another edition

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  • 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

5.0

katyboo52's review against another edition

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5.0

I got this as a review copy from Net Galley. It is, in effect a kind of magical realist take on The Sopranos. Set in Australia in the Eighties, it centres on the massively dysfunctional lives of Eli and Augustus, two boys whose parents have made some spectacularly bad choices in life, which have, as the story opens, come back to haunt them. Told through Eli's eyes, what is in effect a bleak and troubling story becomes funny, dark, sad, and redemptive, but not in a hopeless, cliched sort of way. The writing is fresh and compelling and the story is magnificent. A contender for book of the year for me.

enricats's review against another edition

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5.0

Wow. This was so beautiful. What else can I say but the way Dalton has meticulously crafted a captivating landscape of suburban Queensland and an endearing protagonist was truly magical from start to finish. Took a while to get used to his prose but damn it was so so good and not overhyped at all.

craiglay's review against another edition

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4.0

4.5 stars… this is a really good book.