Reviews with content warning for Drug use - Boy Swallows Universe

Trent Dalton has created a phenomenal Australian contemporary fiction. I was enthralled by this story in the same way a person reads crime articles in the morning newspaper - morbidly curious, upset at what the world has come to, while deep down knowing “it could’ve been me”.

The narrative of Eli Bell’s life and family from his young perspective felt deeply tragic and profoundly meaningful in its innocent childlike tenacity. The juxtaposition of his rambling and detail-oriented storytelling nature with his mute and seemingly omnipotent brother was expertly designed. Dalton weaves his magic in a way that leaves you questioning time and space itself.

I felt too much of myself relate to this story; perhaps not with the minute details, but it still left me shaken at witnessing my thoughts, feelings, and experiences written into words. I thank Trent Dalton deeply for capturing one of the truest and most raw Australian experiences, and for creating Eli Bell to lead it all.

Content Warnings

slewi162's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad tense fast-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

Content Warnings

caittyj's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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sharyce's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Overall this book wasn’t too bad, but there were just a few too many things that I didn’t like to give it a higher rating. The book took way to long for me to get into - I had to force myself to read the first half, many of the characters were unlikeable - especially Caitlyn Spies and her relationship with the protagonist Eli Bell, and although this book was written with a touch of magic realism, the whole ending just felt too unrealistic, causing the book as a whole to feel slightly disjointed.

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hannahiscrying's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

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

4.25

A heartwarming story of a boy in Brisbane growing up as he learns the truth of his past.

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zoegrace's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.25

Fabulous audiobook narrator.

I couldn't stop listening to this book. It can be quite a heavy read due to the nature of the content however Dalton guides the reader through the story with charm, hilarity and love.

Content Warnings

bookdealer's review against another edition

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challenging mysterious slow-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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sneako's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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