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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
No
adventurous
dark
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
It was super heady and felt a little like it was trying to hard to be artsy.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol
praises the police!
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence
Moderate: Gore
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Have you ever had a book that, for some reason you can’t quite describe, you know it is going to be special before you have even read the first page? That was this book for me. I saw it on the new releases shelf at Half Price Books a couple of years ago, and there was something about it that just magnetized me. It is such an amazing feeling when a book is everything that you hope it will be, and that’s what Boy Swallows Universe was for me.
Reading this book was an incredibly vivid and visceral experience. I still can’t quite put into words what it was specifically about this book that called to me, but I can’t think of a single thing that I didn’t love about this novel. As I flipped each page, I felt myself rooting more and more deeply into this story and these characters. It is such a special feeling when a writer captures you so completely with their story that you passionately rejoice and despair with the characters found within, and I certainly did with Eli and his unique group of family and friends. This book has so much heart that it feels alive.
This novel is a coming-of-age story that feels simultaneously familiar and fresh. The prose is thought-provoking and often stunning, and I found myself on the edge of my seat throughout this journey. Eli Bell is one of my new all time favorite protagonists. His wild story was unpredictable and exhilarating to read.
I cannot over emphasize how much I enjoyed this book. I am amazed by what Trent Dalton achieved in this novel, and I have never been more excited to see what an author will do next. His writing and story-telling abilities are unbelievable, and I feel his potential is limitless. I cannot wait for his new novel, All Our Shimmering Skies, to release later this month. I highly encourage you give this, or anything written by Dalton, a try: it is well worth your time.
Reading this book was an incredibly vivid and visceral experience. I still can’t quite put into words what it was specifically about this book that called to me, but I can’t think of a single thing that I didn’t love about this novel. As I flipped each page, I felt myself rooting more and more deeply into this story and these characters. It is such a special feeling when a writer captures you so completely with their story that you passionately rejoice and despair with the characters found within, and I certainly did with Eli and his unique group of family and friends. This book has so much heart that it feels alive.
This novel is a coming-of-age story that feels simultaneously familiar and fresh. The prose is thought-provoking and often stunning, and I found myself on the edge of my seat throughout this journey. Eli Bell is one of my new all time favorite protagonists. His wild story was unpredictable and exhilarating to read.
I cannot over emphasize how much I enjoyed this book. I am amazed by what Trent Dalton achieved in this novel, and I have never been more excited to see what an author will do next. His writing and story-telling abilities are unbelievable, and I feel his potential is limitless. I cannot wait for his new novel, All Our Shimmering Skies, to release later this month. I highly encourage you give this, or anything written by Dalton, a try: it is well worth your time.
Started this book for book club last year and just couldn't finish it. Finished it on audio, partly to see what the fuss was all about. Dalton can write but he needs reigning in. And better editing - infuriated me that the central image of the blue wren is not one found in Brisbane (Superb Fairywren which is found in Brisbane is not totally blue whereas the Splendid Fairywren is found several hundred kilometres west of Brissie)
The violence was OTT. The crazy plot twists were just bizarre. The ending was just really bad. Really really bad. I'd have given this 2 stars but Dalton CAN write.
The violence was OTT. The crazy plot twists were just bizarre. The ending was just really bad. Really really bad. I'd have given this 2 stars but Dalton CAN write.
Interminable. Stopped at a very boring section about local crime.