Reviews

Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton

euannn900's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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? Yes

4.5

josie_mcc's review

funny hopeful mysterious sad tense

4.0

interrowhimper's review against another edition

5.0

I’ve been trying to read more Aussie authors. This book was really compelling and imaginative and somehow also grounded in reality and full of exactly the right details. Beautiful and gross and disturbing and tragic all at once.

katrinacharleston's review

adventurous emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

bookworm_713's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

4.25

jeffrey's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

airdrawn's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny 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? No

4.75

rachel_reads_deliciously's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.25

polyphonicprairies's review against another edition

5.0

This is a bit of a stunner. It’s lyrical and eloquent - I loved the interplay between the stoic, harsh and often violent settings and adult characters, and the young protagonist’s sprawlingly beautiful, at times pretty poetic, storytelling. Dalton’s writing, like (allegedly semi-autobiographical) Eli’s, is colourful and touching.

Heroic exploits and a “good guys win” narrative does not normally make for a mindblowing read for me, but combined with the internal moral conflicts and tough external circumstances of nearly every beautifully rendered character, I found myself really longing for the “good” characters to have a happy ending, and my heart leaping with joy when some happy endings perfectly, unexpectedly, against all odds, occurred. The “good guys” in BSU aren’t squeaky clean, but differentiate themselves through their fierce loyalty to their loved ones, and their hope and optimism despite incredible odds against them.

I could go on about this forever, but really... just read it. The journey is bloody beautiful, and you’ll be left with a distinct feeling of hope for the future.

I can’t wait for the eventual TV series (fingers crossed). (If one is made, I hope Ben Mendelsohn makes an appearance.)

caitlyn888's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 stars

Set in the 1980s in Brisbane, Australia, this story follows a young boy named Eli through adolescence as he fights to survive in a world of drugs, alcoholism, and extreme violence. This is a gritty, heart-wrenching read, and I teared up at one point during a particularly distressing scene. I think the first half of the book could use some editing, but the second half really picks up.

What I didn't realize until after I finished this novel is that a lot of the plot is based on the author's real life, and now I'm thinking about how insane his childhood experiences were. This newly-learned fact has helped me better appreciate the work as a whole.