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alpo's review
challenging
dark
tense
medium-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
3.5
jaiezra90's review
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
emmyjane's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
punkinmuffin's review
5.0
Oh my heart. This is the most beautiful book. Eli and August Bell will stay with me for a long, long time. And I'll never look at a red telephone in the same way again.
jenny840's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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
5.0
adriennegg's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Physical abuse, Car accident, Drug use, Addiction, and Torture
simonmartin's review
5.0
is this the great australian novel???
a gripping 500 pages that flew by; not a word wasted nor an unnecessary moment included. this story checks so many of my boxes, effortlessly morphing between a gripping crime thriller, family drama, and a coming-of-age story with touches of magical realism and gory horror, a setting that could fit comfortably within the burgeoning australian gothic aesthetic/scene/whatever and a dry, darkly funny wit threaded throughout its prose. the last 100 pages or so really ramp things up, and are extremely entertaining if potentially a little unbelievable given how grounded the south brisbane setting feels earlier in the novel. this can be forgiven - as our charming teenaged protagonist eli bell states, all good storytellers need to know how to bullshit, and with boy swallows universe he has proven himself a storyteller of the highest caliber.
a gripping 500 pages that flew by; not a word wasted nor an unnecessary moment included. this story checks so many of my boxes, effortlessly morphing between a gripping crime thriller, family drama, and a coming-of-age story with touches of magical realism and gory horror, a setting that could fit comfortably within the burgeoning australian gothic aesthetic/scene/whatever and a dry, darkly funny wit threaded throughout its prose. the last 100 pages or so really ramp things up, and are extremely entertaining if potentially a little unbelievable given how grounded the south brisbane setting feels earlier in the novel. this can be forgiven - as our charming teenaged protagonist eli bell states, all good storytellers need to know how to bullshit, and with boy swallows universe he has proven himself a storyteller of the highest caliber.