Boy Swallows Universe

Ofwel “The Extraordinary and Unexpected Yet Totally Expected Life of Eli Bell”.

Eli, een jongetje dat opgroeit ergens in een niets-zeggende buurt in Australie [], heeft een drugs-verslaafde moeder, een mogelijk-taxi-moordenaar als oppas, en een niet-pratende broer (August) van een paar jaar ouder, die communiceert door in de lucht te schrijven. Hij probeert er maar het beste van te maken, maar dat zit niet heel erg mee...Aanrader![] “I was only five years old but I still called bullshit, but Manly's a place where a boy can run barefoot across the low-tide mudflats of Moreton Bay for so long he can convince himself he's running all the way to the edge of Atlantis, where he might live forever, or until the smell of crumbed cod and chips call him home, so I made like August and shut my trap.”

This was a fascinating read.

I actually struggled for the first ~170 pages, being unable to get into the story and the writing style, but then it ramps up something fierce. The last ~80 pages had me very much on edge, and completely enthralled.

Not my typical genre, but very glad to have read it.

as a australian kid who grew up around violence and drug use and is also mute like his brother in this book... this book is my autobiography LMAO

Listened to the audiobook version, well narrated.

A very “Aussie” coming-of-age story, set in 1980s Brisbane, filled with a bunch of colourful characters - Vietnamese drug dealers, a bikie gang member, and real-life Slim Halliday (“The Houdini of Boggo Road”) who escaped twice from a Brisbane jail. What makes it all the more amazing is the book is partially based on the author's own childhood (Slim was once his babysitter, and his dad really did spend his days living as a chain-smoking recluse who read books all day).

One of the major themes of the book is what makes someone a "good man". The main character Eli is trying to figure out if he is a good man, as well as if the people around him (who have criminal backgrounds) are also good men. It's interesting that people like convicted felon Slim and bikie gang member Alex are portrayed in that "good man" light even after their past misdeeds, but someone like Teddy is "bad" once their bad deeds are uncovered. Maybe would have been cool to get that redemption, but also highlights Eli's potential naivety / young age throughout most of the book.

It's rare that a book is strong enough to satisfyingly leave things up to interpretation. Did Slim murder the cabbie? Is there someone on the other end of the telephone? It doesn't really matter. As much crazy shit that happened in the book it didn't come off as cheesy or trying too hard to be shocking, even though it was probably overdone at a couple points. I loved how everything coincidentally connected, but was just absurd enough not to be too on the nose. This book was insightful, thought provoking, full of both heart and thrills, but of course my favorite part was the witty dialogue.

Maybe the best book I've read in 2019, definitely among the top three.

Dalton describes gruesome subjects like child abuse, drug dealing and dismemberment with such lightness and comedy that can only be achieved by viewing these subjects from the naive perspective of a child. Despite the dark setting Dalton's protagonist gives the impression of a normal, happy and curious kid. It's impossible not to root for him.

The story revolves around the two boys and is woven together beautifully. The children get hurt, stumble and fall, get up and continue to try and make the world a better place. And they succeed! For me it radiated with a feeling on hope and love for the universe.

Fantastic novel full of well realised characters and beautiful language. The only odd part was the one random chapter where it turned into a David Cronenberg movie for a little bit.

“What are you reading?”

I dread this question, making sure I sum up the plot in a succinct yet comprehensive manner without giving too much away or the wrong impression. ‘Boy Swallows Universe' is perhaps the hardest book I have had to sum up in a while.

“Well it's about a boy in Australia in the 80s who has an ex-con as a babysitter and a heroin dealer for a step-dad. His mother is an addict and his brother is a mute, who writes messages in the sky with his finger. It's not depressing though, honest!”

You mention convicts and drug deals and people expect a heavy read about a troubled childhood, when in fact Boy Swallows Universe is far from that. It is funny, thrilling and an intimate look at relationships and how trauma can affect them.

The protagonist Eli Bell has spent his life surrounded by complicated characters, having to learn which Rolling Stones song soothes his mother after a drug binge and how to interpret his mute brother's finger writing and the meanings behind his messages (Caitlyn Spies? Your end is a dead blue wren?). Aside from the occasional provocation of his step-father, Eli is presented as the more grounded member of the Bell family. It isn't until later that you understand how the events of Eli's past have affected him.

Loosely based on aspects from the author's childhood, he really was babysat by an ex-con called Slim and his step-dad was a dealer, Boy Swallows Universe is a debut novel full of richly detailed characters, beautifully written prose and a fast-paced plot which remains on the right side of believable. I read a few other reviews which complained about the bleak subject matter, the graphic violence and regular use of profanity, but this did not even register with me because none of it felt gratuitous.

This is a truly unique coming-of-age novel that is equally touching as it is engaging, which makes the news that is has been bought by actor Joel Edgerton for TV adaptation even more exciting.

Thank you to NetGalley for my review copy of this book.

Kylie Minogue, Joseph Conrad, the fascist state that was Queensland and how I came to realise that the star rating system may not be appropriate for this book. Part three.

A great Brisbane Novel? Maybe but again the rating of stars seems a bit pointless as this being a book about my home town, and the third Brisbane novel I have read in recent times, I have now given all three the maximum rating. The reality is that that is my rating because I related to them for obvious reasons. Many may not. The other reality is that the only one that really rates that maximum rating is Andrew McGahan Praise. There is a realistic grittiness in that book that rings true. Boy Swallows Universe is more witty magical realism.

Author Trent Dalton has written a strangely seductive amalgam of family history, fantasy and observation of his childhood that was Brisbane in the 1980's when this terrific novel takes place. Eli is his youthful narrator of this book and Eli observes with a sharp wit, an almost humble self-depreciating attitude as to what goes on around him and what events occur in his young life.

There is a lot of emotion written in this book, from the very witty that is obviously witty to the very sad that is obviously very sad and that is always going to suck any reader from anywhere if the writing appeals. The Brisbane and various cultural references of the times come think and fast, hence the appeal to me. One example is Ribbetts, a takeaway food place that gets a mention in this book.

It still does exist It no longer exists

It was across the road from what did exist but no longer does and that is Boggo Road Jail. Google Maps is your friend when reading this book. There are name-drops galore that the average Brisbane resident would and should relate to. My home suburb gets a mention with both Moorooka and its Magic Mile of Motors. That great Brisbane muso Ed Kuepper had an album called This is The Magic Mile in tribute. Tragically a sign heralding your entrance into this magic mile was consumed in a fire a few years back. A cultural tragedy up there with the demolition of the Buddas of Bamyan and the Bellvue Hotel.

As with all these style of books the wit can be rather infectious. Eli and his family have to go to a Vietnamese restaurant near the Darra train station for business dealings. The owner, Eli observes, has an opinion as to why Australians wallow in inherent misery. Their childhood is so “idyllic and joyous” with the beach, backyard cricket and never ending sunshine that anything beyond that can never match. Hence “junk cures all misery”. This was true then and is now. My generation, the baby boomers, booze ourselves with both legal and illegal drug and self-pity is rife. When some 18 year old minimum wage earner in a bar fails to deliver our drink at the speed of light we will let them know very loudly and collectively with a growl in our voices. We are filthy rich by any standards, are superannuated up to our ears, receive tax credits back from the poorer PAYE taxpayer for our 1.9 million dollar fully franked dividends received and have the government of our choice. But we are not happy and by cripes we will shout about that from the ultra-rich media owned exclusively by our generation. Oh yes and I drove past the Darra train station not long ago and there is still a Vietnamese restaurant.

Firstly Kylie gets no mention in this book. Much to my surprise Joseph Conrad did. It is indeed wonderful to know that through heartfelt generosity many a Saturday afternoon drunk at the Bracken Ridge Tavern is not only looking for a bet on the horses but is discussing the “psychological resonance of Heart Of Darkness.” This and The Delinquents? What is it with the Queensland's lower socio economic group and their need to read Conrad? The fascist state that was Qld existed in this book. This is seemingly a theme for some writers of the street when it comes to the deep north. Hard to steer away from that past in reality. It is part of the historical narrative. There maybe a lot of love in this book but also a lot of Queensland's dark past.

Strangely good fun to read and recommended to Brisbaneites from both sides of the river.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2699060809?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2404004468?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

4.5 stars. I loved this book. A coming of age story, set in my hometown, in the 80's with a sprinkle of magical realism (and that cover!). What is not to love? Well, 2 things actually - firstly, the pacing felt a bit off, and secondly I felt that the author tried too hard to include as many Brisbane landmarks and 80's references as possible. We get it, it is set in Brisbane in the 80's. But honestly, those are minor gripes and the only reason this wasn't a five star read for me. I will be watching Dalton closely and will definitely picking up his next novel. Great read!

Loved it, so many laugh out loud moments.