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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
Oh wow!
I thought Boy Swallows Universe was good, and expected that this book might suffer from second book syndrome* but if anything, this tome surpasses BSU. It has beauty and it has love, which provide such an incredible counterpoint to the hate and darkness, but I am rapidly understanding that this is Trent Dalton's schtick. He finds the light when all you see is that darkness. Its beautiful, its poetic.
He also need to be signed up as a tourism ambassador for the Northern Territory. I want to go there!
* Second book syndrome is like second album syndrome. The artist spends so much time polishing the first release, then success means there is a demand for a second and it doesn't always get the polish because of the eagerness to deliver. This book has more than avoided that trap.
I thought Boy Swallows Universe was good, and expected that this book might suffer from second book syndrome* but if anything, this tome surpasses BSU. It has beauty and it has love, which provide such an incredible counterpoint to the hate and darkness, but I am rapidly understanding that this is Trent Dalton's schtick. He finds the light when all you see is that darkness. Its beautiful, its poetic.
He also need to be signed up as a tourism ambassador for the Northern Territory. I want to go there!
* Second book syndrome is like second album syndrome. The artist spends so much time polishing the first release, then success means there is a demand for a second and it doesn't always get the polish because of the eagerness to deliver. This book has more than avoided that trap.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved this book. For so many reasons it’s hard to put into a review.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
Read as part of '12 Books recommended by 12 Friends' and my first for 2025. I possibly would drop this to a 3.5. It was a great book, but also had a lot of imagery and metaphorical writing that at times forced me to drop my suspension of disbelief. I enjoyed the writing in of Australian aboriginal characters and lore, but also felt at times they were a bit caricatured and stereotyped. This book has depth, but I felt I needed to go to a study group to really appreciate it, rather than enjoy it for what it was. I'm sure it would spark some great conversations around history, culture, intergenerational trauma, addictions etc. It's a good read, but not a great read for me personally.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I listened to the audio book. Mystical, emotional, confronting, funny, heartwarming and heartbreaking. This book has everything in it. The language is clever and nails the Australian culture. As good as his first book and would make a fabulous bookclub discussion. Trent Dalton you have cemented your status with me as one of my favourite authors. Molly will stay with me always.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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:
N/A
Video review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_3SZt2l1AM&ab_channel=MarcNash
adventurous
challenging
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:
Complicated