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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
You ever picked up a book and just knew it was going to ruin you in the best possible way? Boy Swallows Universe is exactly that. This isn’t just a coming-of-age story—it’s a brutal, heart-wrenching rollercoaster that grabs you by the throat, takes you on a ride through Australia’s gritty 1980s, and leaves you asking for more. Eli Bell’s story is a wild ride of hardship, survival, and a touch of magic, all wrapped in a family drama so intense it could’ve been written by the universe itself.
Characters? Oh, they’re gems. Eli Bell is a straight-up delight. From the very start, I was hooked. This kid’s seen a lot for his age, but despite his circumstances, he somehow maintains a refreshing sense of humour and a certain level of wisdom. He’s not naive. He understands the world isn’t black and white—people who are supposed to be good can still do bad things, and vice versa. He’s not just surviving; he’s navigating life in a way that’s as thoughtful as it is entertaining. It’s like you’re reading the reflections of an old soul trapped in the body of a teenager, and honestly, it’s pretty amazing.
Then there’s August Bell, Eli Bell’s brother. Oh, August Bell. He doesn’t speak. He communicates with his finger in the air, creating a whole new world in his mind that sometimes feels more magical than real life. His quirky, dream-like presence makes you forget you’re reading about the gritty underbelly of drug cartels and shady mob bosses. In a way, he’s the perfect foil to Eli Bell’s more grounded perspective. He blurs the lines between childlike wonder and harsh reality, and it’s a fascinating, surreal journey whenever he’s on the page.
The rest of the cast, from the lovable to the downright terrifying (looking at you, Tytus Broz), only adds to the magic. The characters might be deeply flawed, but they’re so rich and real that you can’t help but feel for them. Even the villains have this complexity that makes them stand out. You’ll love some, and despise others, but none of them feel like they belong in the background. They’re all integral to the larger-than-life story unfolding.
As for the plot and writing? It’s kind of like a fine wine—it hits you with some sweet moments, but then it’s followed by the punch of something much stronger. The story dives into some heavy themes: family drama, addiction, crime, tragedy, and the messy business of growing up in the shadow of it all. But somehow, the humour manages to sneak through the cracks in the most unexpected ways. You’ll laugh, cringe, and gasp in equal measure.
Trent Dalton’s writing is lyrical, poetic, and for lack of a better word, beautiful. There are moments where the prose can feel almost too much, but it never loses its impact. It’s like that gorgeous piece of abstract art that takes you a minute to understand, but once you do, you can’t stop staring at it. The dark themes don’t just show up to get your sympathy—they challenge you, make you reflect, and leave you with an emotional punch that lingers.
And the horror elements? Deliciously dark. There’s no over-the-top melodrama here, just raw, painful truths hidden under layers of wit and strange magic. But don’t get it twisted, it’s not all doom and gloom. The book knows when to throw in a bit of levity, like when gangsters and bumbling henchmen try to solve their problems with violence—and hilariously fail. It’s a fine balance between tragedy and humour, and it’s done so well that you’ll be hooked from the first page.
So, did I mention that I’ve never been to Australia and probably won’t be getting around to the 1980s anytime soon? But after reading this book, I feel like I’ve experienced both, and Trent Dalton’s portrayal of both time and place feels incredibly authentic. It’s not just a story—it’s a world that swallows you whole.
In short, Boy Swallows Universe is a wild, unforgettable ride. It’s tragic, beautiful, philosophical, and funny all at once. It’s an emotional gut punch wrapped in a heartfelt, magical story that will make you look at life a little differently. Highly recommend it unless you’re afraid of feeling deeply, laughing inappropriately, and getting swept away by one of the most unforgettable characters in recent fiction.
Characters? Oh, they’re gems. Eli Bell is a straight-up delight. From the very start, I was hooked. This kid’s seen a lot for his age, but despite his circumstances, he somehow maintains a refreshing sense of humour and a certain level of wisdom. He’s not naive. He understands the world isn’t black and white—people who are supposed to be good can still do bad things, and vice versa. He’s not just surviving; he’s navigating life in a way that’s as thoughtful as it is entertaining. It’s like you’re reading the reflections of an old soul trapped in the body of a teenager, and honestly, it’s pretty amazing.
Then there’s August Bell, Eli Bell’s brother. Oh, August Bell. He doesn’t speak. He communicates with his finger in the air, creating a whole new world in his mind that sometimes feels more magical than real life. His quirky, dream-like presence makes you forget you’re reading about the gritty underbelly of drug cartels and shady mob bosses. In a way, he’s the perfect foil to Eli Bell’s more grounded perspective. He blurs the lines between childlike wonder and harsh reality, and it’s a fascinating, surreal journey whenever he’s on the page.
The rest of the cast, from the lovable to the downright terrifying (looking at you, Tytus Broz), only adds to the magic. The characters might be deeply flawed, but they’re so rich and real that you can’t help but feel for them. Even the villains have this complexity that makes them stand out. You’ll love some, and despise others, but none of them feel like they belong in the background. They’re all integral to the larger-than-life story unfolding.
As for the plot and writing? It’s kind of like a fine wine—it hits you with some sweet moments, but then it’s followed by the punch of something much stronger. The story dives into some heavy themes: family drama, addiction, crime, tragedy, and the messy business of growing up in the shadow of it all. But somehow, the humour manages to sneak through the cracks in the most unexpected ways. You’ll laugh, cringe, and gasp in equal measure.
Trent Dalton’s writing is lyrical, poetic, and for lack of a better word, beautiful. There are moments where the prose can feel almost too much, but it never loses its impact. It’s like that gorgeous piece of abstract art that takes you a minute to understand, but once you do, you can’t stop staring at it. The dark themes don’t just show up to get your sympathy—they challenge you, make you reflect, and leave you with an emotional punch that lingers.
And the horror elements? Deliciously dark. There’s no over-the-top melodrama here, just raw, painful truths hidden under layers of wit and strange magic. But don’t get it twisted, it’s not all doom and gloom. The book knows when to throw in a bit of levity, like when gangsters and bumbling henchmen try to solve their problems with violence—and hilariously fail. It’s a fine balance between tragedy and humour, and it’s done so well that you’ll be hooked from the first page.
So, did I mention that I’ve never been to Australia and probably won’t be getting around to the 1980s anytime soon? But after reading this book, I feel like I’ve experienced both, and Trent Dalton’s portrayal of both time and place feels incredibly authentic. It’s not just a story—it’s a world that swallows you whole.
In short, Boy Swallows Universe is a wild, unforgettable ride. It’s tragic, beautiful, philosophical, and funny all at once. It’s an emotional gut punch wrapped in a heartfelt, magical story that will make you look at life a little differently. Highly recommend it unless you’re afraid of feeling deeply, laughing inappropriately, and getting swept away by one of the most unforgettable characters in recent fiction.
If I could give this 10 stars I would. Why? Humor, pathos, drama, mysticism, family, friendships, love, tragedy, irony, bad guys, good guys and Eli Bell. All this pulled together by the fabulous writing of Trent Dalton. I'm going to miss you Eli, I have enjoyed your story thoroughly.
adventurous
dark
emotional
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:
Complicated
Brilliant book! So we’ll written and Loved the characters. Loved the sibling bond between the two brothers and the unconditional love they felt towards their mother despite her drug addiction, dealing and questionable partners.
Fantastic story telling.
However, I didn’t find this to be a page-turner; I felt this book would appeal more to men as I struggled to identify with Eli and his fantasies.
The ending was satisfying but it all got a little far-fetched and unrealistic, although I loved the action and suspense.
Fantastic story telling.
However, I didn’t find this to be a page-turner; I felt this book would appeal more to men as I struggled to identify with Eli and his fantasies.
The ending was satisfying but it all got a little far-fetched and unrealistic, although I loved the action and suspense.
Easily into top 10 fiction for me. Such descriptive writing but a story line that constantly moves forward quickly. Last 100+ pages addicting! The story slowly developed a mystery I didn't really even see coming until all the small pieces started falling together later in the book. Nice twists. I liked how dead-ends became opportunities. This was an uplifting book that I can recommend to everyone.
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes