A review by niltic
Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? No

5.0

WOW! Rollercoaster read about a young boy coming of age in a family/community where drugs, crime and mental illness are prevalent. Once I started, I could not read this book fast enough. The story is surprising, raw, funny, and dream-like, with very vivid, lovable characters. Central mystery veers uncertainly into magical realism at times, but it doesn't matter because this plot's only there to give the story something to hang off. Felt very at-home with the Australiana of it all too.
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