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celiapowell's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a few chapters to get into the slightly flowery/detailed/verbose style, but I really enjoyed this novel. Set in 80s suburban Brisbane, it's a mixture of coming-of-age story, crime drama, and family saga, with a dash of surreal magical realism.
oliviabell's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
mellmeyer96's review against another edition
4.0
“The downside is life is short and has to end. The upside is it comes with bread, wine and books.”
Boy Swallows Universe is set in Brisbane in the 1980's & follows Eli Bell's chaotic life. Eli is an intelligent boy filled with wit & wisdom far beyond his years. With a drunk & distant father, a mother on her way to jail, a drug dealer step-dad, ex-con for a babysitter & mute brother you follow his life & join him on his search for answers of what it means to be a 'good man'.
This book has a little bit of everything - family, love, crime, mystery & a whole lot of hardship. It shows all the good & the bad in life rolled up into one incredibly told story with some truly heart-stopping moments.
I adored Eli & his narration. He is incredibly calm & wise for his age & I often found myself forgetting he was so young. My heart hurt for him so often throughout the book, I just wanted him to live a happy & easy life - he is a character who will stay with me for a very long time. All of the characters introduced throughout the book were so beautifully drawn - they were complex & flawed but I feel like I knew them all personally.
Daltons writing style is on a whole other level! I must admit that I struggled with it initially but once I got used to it & wrapped my head around the story I was in love! His writing style is sublime, the perfect combination of lyrical humour with dark undertones. His depiction of suburban Brisbane was something I adored, it gave the book such a strong sense of place & painted the perfect picture. I also really enjoyed the elements of fantasy woven delicately throughout the harsh reality of the story.
If you are looking for something a little different this book is certainly for you. It is a completely unique story that makes you stop & think.
Boy Swallows Universe is set in Brisbane in the 1980's & follows Eli Bell's chaotic life. Eli is an intelligent boy filled with wit & wisdom far beyond his years. With a drunk & distant father, a mother on her way to jail, a drug dealer step-dad, ex-con for a babysitter & mute brother you follow his life & join him on his search for answers of what it means to be a 'good man'.
This book has a little bit of everything - family, love, crime, mystery & a whole lot of hardship. It shows all the good & the bad in life rolled up into one incredibly told story with some truly heart-stopping moments.
I adored Eli & his narration. He is incredibly calm & wise for his age & I often found myself forgetting he was so young. My heart hurt for him so often throughout the book, I just wanted him to live a happy & easy life - he is a character who will stay with me for a very long time. All of the characters introduced throughout the book were so beautifully drawn - they were complex & flawed but I feel like I knew them all personally.
Daltons writing style is on a whole other level! I must admit that I struggled with it initially but once I got used to it & wrapped my head around the story I was in love! His writing style is sublime, the perfect combination of lyrical humour with dark undertones. His depiction of suburban Brisbane was something I adored, it gave the book such a strong sense of place & painted the perfect picture. I also really enjoyed the elements of fantasy woven delicately throughout the harsh reality of the story.
If you are looking for something a little different this book is certainly for you. It is a completely unique story that makes you stop & think.
kmacpherson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
livbeveridge's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
5.0
merlo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.25
hrgisahero's review against another edition
5.0
Oo but I really enjoyed it. Best magical realism book I’ve read in ages. Barely magical. Excellent excellent excellent.
ee_em_em_aye's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ohwowlola's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Beautifully written, almost poetic, tense. Magnificently ties up all lose ends. Very moving, emphasises the importance of love. Tackles the forever-relevant question of what makes a good person.