Boy Swallows Universe: A Novel

Trent Dalton draws on his own remarkable childhood to add gripping detail to a sensational suburban tale. I am very selective about the fiction I choose to read but this was addictive from the beginning. Two key reasons: Firstly, the compelling writing style - where every sentence and page brings interest and rewarding detail, and secondly the protagonist's journey, which brings the fringe suburbs to life with a background of unique characters, relationships and events. Seen through a highly perceptive – yet endearingly boyish eyes – we glimpse hope and love where we expect chronic tragedy - this is where I think this book breaks new ground. It makes similar books look heavy-handed and clichéd in their portrayal of 'struggle street'. It is warmly textured with plenty of understated humour and searing human reflection. It is extraordinary. There is an extra layer of interest for someone like me who has lived in this area of Brisbane. Many of the locations are familiar but because of my privilege I never saw them in this light! Through other circumstances, I have known ex-prisoners and others who are stigmatised on the margins. I was heartened and enriched by the humanity and dimension that is brought to these characters. A thoroughly refreshing and rewarding read.

Breathtaking. I found myself smiling, crying, and rejoicing for our hero Eli Bell. Hands down one of the best books of the year. Perhaps one of the best books of my lifetime. Although the sentence structure was odd and sometimes the plot convoluted, it was remarkable. The most unique work of art that I have ever read due to its uniqueness. It’s as different and special as August and Eli themselves. My heart is soaring with love for the characters and the book itself. I’m also fascinated by the criminal element and the belief that we are not all good or bad and redemption is possible in the presence of love. Wow. Amazing breakout novel. This one will not leave me for a long time. “It was August who taught me I didn’t always have to listen. I might just have to look” “Boy swallows universe, he wrote. It was August who taught me about details, how to read a face, how to extract as much information as possible from the non-verbal, how to mine expression and conversation and story from the data of every last speechless thing that is right before your eyes” “Our dear mystery boy. Our Mozart. August is one year older than me but August is one year older than everybody. August is one year older than the universe.” “August is the missing brick. The moon pool is my brother. August is the moon pool.” “Do your time before it does you.” “. . the stars will disappear from the night skies over Bracken Ridge. If you’re tired for tomorrow . . . the moon will crack like a gobstopper between your teeth and the colours inside the moon will blind humanity. Sleep, Eli”

I previously gave this book a two star rating, because I found the quirky writing style distracting, and stopped reading. Eventually I persisted, and something happened: either the writing style changed, or my brain did... I’m not sure which. By then I was sucked in to the sometimes funny, sometimes moving, but seldom predictable world of brothers Eli and Gus (August) and their highly disfunctional family. The plot twists and turns in unexpected ways, leading to a compelling and nail-biting ending. Minus half a star for the author’s slightly excessive compulsion to cameo every nostalgic icon of Queensland life, missing only a visit to the Big Pineapple... but overall that’s a minor quibble. If like me, you find that the quirky style of the first chapters is not entirely your cup of Liptons, my advice is to have another cuppa and keep reading. Ultimately a very rewarding read.

Why not a five? I would have to reserve that for a perfect book, and there are very few of those. This book, though, comes pretty close. I loved the characters, the way the author set the scenes, the seriousness of the subject matter, and the humour he found even in that seriousness. The two main characters were very likeable, maybe especially because they were not perfectly well-behaved but always behaved with a basic, inborn decency. This is really a story about family, and how family includes not only those with a birthright, but also those we choose to include on merit. If I had one criticism, it would be that the book was a bit all over the place in some ways. For the most part, that was enjoyable, but the element of mysticism did not work that well for me as a reader. I though it unnecessary. The story really stood on its own without that. On the other hand, it did add a bit to the fun, so I cannot really complain.

I am one of those infantile people that wilfully dismiss books with lots of hype and recommendations. Having worked in the book industry for years and having read literally 1000's of books, when this was heralded; I thought 'flavour of the month, yada, yada, yada'. Eventually even a curmudgeon like me caved in to the opinions of people I respect and I read 'Boy Swallows Universe'. What a read!! A great book needs a decent premise, a good plot, and characters you can emotionally invest in; from the outset, this book had all three in abundance. I grew up in similar circumstances to the chief protagonists, so for me it was especially poignant. At the mention of 'devon and tomato sauce sandwiches' - I was there. I cannot think of anyone that would not enjoy this work. A gripping, visceral story peopled by characters we care about with a sorry - 'no spoilers here' - just go and read it!! - Rob

I found the book BOY SWALLOWS UNIVERSE by Dalton Trent to be an excellent story. As an American reader of a story set in Australia, I was not lost in the translation of the references to what would be called something different here in the United States. It is a heartwarming story of a 13-year-old boy who searches for understanding and self-acceptance. He questions the choices of those in his universe and finds himself in a world of uncertainty, love, disappointment, violence, and hope in spite of his family dysfunction and worldly chaos. Dalton Trent's expression of the resilience of the human condition is so well written I found the book hard to put down and the characters hard to remove from my thoughts until the very end.

The beginning to this story is interesting and moves along at a good pace. but when it got into the gruesome details of the lives of drug users, traffickers, and kingpins, I put it aside for a while. But, as Book Club was finally physically meeting, I got in there and finished the book. The fast pace of the second half of the book, the new characters, and plot twists made it altogether a better book to read!

I started the television show on Netflix. And stopped after the 3rd episode to get this book! Such a great read. Highly recommend

I really enjoyed the book. The characters from the Australian underworld were well-described. I felt a deep connection with the hero of the story, the little boy.

This is great book. I watched it on Netflix first and usually hate reading books after seeing movies, but this was a great read. A great Aussie story in my hometown. Highly recommend!

I was captivated by Dalton's humorous yet brilliant writing style. In three words this book is profound, endearing, brutal. Expect to be shocked by acts of merciless violence but this is absolutely necessary for this story to be told accurately. Have no fear, this is equally balanced with charming displays of humanity and benevolence and this will move you beyond belief and keep you hooked until the very last page. I have no doubt in my mind, every reader will be rooting for the teenage protagonist Eli Bell as he touches your heart, mind and soul. I have to admit I felt a tight and aching knot in my stomach as I read the first half of the book. It was filled with too much violence, pain and anger. These pages reminded me of the people I knew long ago in Australia who took pride in the fact they were bullies and others who were constantly chasing the dragon as they endured a life totally dependent on drug addiction. But this knot slowly unravelled as the pieces of the love puzzle so beautifully fell into place for Eli and Caitlyn. This is definitely a must-read story and I'm looking forward to reading more books by this talented Aussie author in the future.

I loved this story and the writing. There is so much going on and definitely some of it was way over the top, but it was also the story of damaged and flawed characters and how they each deal with it.

Good read, heavy going at times