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lottiegasp's review against another edition
dark
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.75
This is a beautifully written coming-of-age story of precocious Eli Bell, whose parents struggle at various times with substance abuse, mental health issues, domestic abuse and financial insecurity, and as such Eli Bell is forced to grow up too soon and look after himself and his family. It demonstrates how no one is fully good or bad, but can try to make good choices. It depicts the insidiousness of substance abuse and drug dealing in the context of low income and overcriminalised communities who are unable to escape from their intergenerationally-entrenched dangerous lives.
Despite it being quite long, it was readable and compelling from start to end. It moved between some witty moments, to highly poignant and sad events, to episodes of thrilling action. I would caution readers to check the content warnings, as it is quite a depressing setting with heavy themes, however with that in mind I would say that overall the book is surprisingly uplifting.
Despite it being quite long, it was readable and compelling from start to end. It moved between some witty moments, to highly poignant and sad events, to episodes of thrilling action. I would caution readers to check the content warnings, as it is quite a depressing setting with heavy themes, however with that in mind I would say that overall the book is surprisingly uplifting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Car accident, and Death of parent
erinsmithart's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Violence
spacewahine's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Suicide attempt, and Murder
worldthroughcurls's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug abuse
annchmn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
First book I’ve been keen on for so long. I couldn’t stop reading it and the book felt less like reading words and more like living Eli’s life.
This book felt like three books crammed into one but I’m glad that it was like that. There definitely were many unresolved that were a bit unbelievable. As well as some of the superhero esque invincibility. And I didn’t love the whole Caitlyn Bell love story ending with them kissing and finally fulfilling Eli’s obsession with her and her looks… like after going through so much in the book it ends with them kissing which irked me . Frankly the latter third of the book felt super different than what the start was building up to, and it was fun to read, but it felt like a whole different vibe than the style of the beginning, and I would’ve preferred more of the beginning.
Apart from that, I had fun reading all the imagery and thoughts and details of Eli’s mind!!
Do your time before it does you!!
This book felt like three books crammed into one but I’m glad that it was like that. There definitely were many unresolved that were a bit unbelievable. As well as some of the superhero esque invincibility. And I didn’t love the whole
Apart from that, I had fun reading all the imagery and thoughts and details of Eli’s mind!!
Do your time before it does you!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
neeveherbs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
slow-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Gore, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Suicide attempt
water_and_shade's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
Boy Swallows Universe is gritty and soft at the same time. The characters are well fleshed out, flawed but you love and root for them anyway. The descriptions of domestic violence, addiction and poverty are tenderly and empathetically delivered. I did take a while to warm to the book - I really loved the middle third - but also found the ending a bit of a let down, too dramatic and focused on plot twists which I think detracted from the overall pace and gentle build up delivered by the earlier chapters. Dalton really paints a picture with his words, creating an evocative snapshot of Brisbane (my hometown!) in the mid 80's - I could feel the piercing blue sky of QLD summers reading his descriptive passages. Loved the motifs dotted throughout. Overall, a beautiful book with characters that will stick with me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Mental illness, Torture, and Stalking
ezex's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.75
Amazing book. Beautifully written. Just wondrous to read. Riveting story and characters. I didn’t realise how much it would increase my enjoyment reading about places that I knew, but my understanding was deeper and I was more invested knowing Brisbane as I do. It’s like I was there. What a fantastic book.
At first I thought there would be no way I’d be interested in the subject matter. But the story it told with such lightness and hope. It really is a beautiful piece of work. One of my favourite reads of the year.
At first I thought there would be no way I’d be interested in the subject matter. But the story it told with such lightness and hope. It really is a beautiful piece of work. One of my favourite reads of the year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Violence
bannedfrombookclub's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
reflective
3.25
It's an ambitious narrative in the Cloudstreet tradition, but set in 80's Brisbane. The cover is buckshot with award stickers and I can see how it would tickle a literary award committee - you know. Child perspective on traumatic events, elements of magic realism, very specificly grounded and working class setting.
For me though it is overwritten, overwrought, and overlong. Eli's voice does not evolve as he ages, and there were many extended passages where I questioned why this was happening (some people say it's all tied together at the end but I disagree). The climax at city hall was bizarre. Dalton is picking up and putting down little metaphors and motifs all over the place. Thankfully too long and violent to be taught in highschools.
For me though it is overwritten, overwrought, and overlong. Eli's voice does not evolve as he ages, and there were many extended passages where I questioned why this was happening (some people say it's all tied together at the end but I disagree). The climax at city hall was bizarre. Dalton is picking up and putting down little metaphors and motifs all over the place. Thankfully too long and violent to be taught in highschools.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse
waybeyondblue's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Stalking, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Vomit