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A review by bannedfrombookclub
Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton
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