Reviews

Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton

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goblinbooks's review against another edition

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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

3.5

Poverty/trauma porn.
+1⭐️ for magical realism elements
+1⭐️ for 'hey Brisbane! I'm from there'

sophiemadgwick's review against another edition

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5.0

I think this is the best book I’ve ever read. It makes me want to edit my other 5 star reviews because none of them were as good as this. I couldn’t put it down. Such a captivating story and incredible writing. I didn’t want it to end.

alnicholl77's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

Unsure at first, I stuck with this book and am so glad I did. It's a wonderfully written story with vibrant characters, good and bad, and evocative suburban settings.

Content Warnings

thirstyfortea's review against another edition

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1.0

I think I must have read a different book to literally everyone else who read this and loved it.

Struggled through half of it. Brisbane, heroin, dead brothers, and fagan lookalikes. Gave it up for 6 months. Tried again. Then gave up when I dreaded picking it up. Abandoned at 4/5 through.

codosbankarena's review against another edition

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5.0

My love for this book cannot be contained within a few sentences. It's heart stopping, gut wrenching, tear jerking, evocative, emotional, and it is just so easy to lose yourself in this brilliant book. What a story. What a book. What beautiful writing. Brilliant. 5 stars, 100 times over.