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Boy Swallows Universe

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Boy Swallows Universe

By: Trent Dalton
Narrated by: Stig Wemyss
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About this listen

'The best Australian novel I have read in more than a decade' Sydney Morning Herald

'Astonishing, captivating ... a wild, beautiful, heart-exploding ride' Elizabeth Gilbert


The bestselling novel that has taken Australia, and the world, by storm.

Brisbane, 1985: A lost father, a mute brother, a junkie mum, a heroin dealer for a stepfather and a notorious crim for a babysitter. It's not as if Eli Bell's life isn't complicated enough already. He's just trying to follow his heart and understand what it means to be a good man, but fate keeps throwing obstacles in his way - not the least of which is Tytus Broz, legendary Brisbane drug dealer.

But now Eli's life is going to get a whole lot more serious: he's about to meet the father he doesn't remember, break into Boggo Road Gaol on Christmas Day to rescue his mum, come face to face with the criminals who tore his world apart, and fall in love with the girl of his dreams.

A story of brotherhood, true love and the most unlikely of friendships, Boy Swallows Universe will be the most heartbreaking, joyous and exhilarating novel you will read all year.

Awards:

2019 ABIA Book of the Year Award, Winner

2019 Indie Book Award, Winner

2019 UTS Glenda Adams Award for New Writing, NSW Premier's Literary Awards, Winner

2019 People's Choice Award, NSW Premier's Literary Awards, Winner

MUD Literary Prize 2019, Winner

2019 ABIA Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year, Winner

2019 ABIA Literary Fiction Book of the Year, Winner

2019 ABIA Audiobook of the Year, Winner

2019 Miles Franklin Literary Award, Longlisted

2019 Colin Roderick Award, shortlist

Reviews:

'Boy Swallows Universe is a wonderful surprise: sharp as a drawer full of knives in terms of subject matter; unrepentantly joyous in its child's-eye view of the world; the best literary debut in a month of Sundays.' The Australian

'Boy Swallows Universe hypnotizes you with wonder, and then hammers you with heartbreak.' Washington Post

'This thrilling novel' New York Times Book Review

'Marvelously plot-rich ... filled with beautifully lyric prose ...At one point Eli wonders if he is good. The answer is ""yes,"" every bit as good as this exceptional novel.' Booklist

'Dalton's splashy, stellar debut makes the typical coming-of-age novel look bland by comparison ... This is an outstanding debut.' Publisher's Weekly (starred review)

'Extraordinary and beautiful storytelling' Guardian

 Biographical Fiction Coming of Age Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Magical Realism Heartfelt Funny
All stars
Most relevant
I selected this book without much thought but can't recommend it highly enough. The performance by the reader was perfect too.

Exceptional

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Such clever compelling writing. Well drawn characters that are endearing and terrifying in various measures throughout the book. The cycle of crime, mental illness, poverty and self destruction and redemption are all so beautifully bound together. I could not stop listening!

Riveting

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Unfortunately it's spoiled every other future book.
I love the way it's written.
There a a couple of sad bits but there are countless hilarious bits.
The ending was a bit crazy but you get so involved in the characters that you'll want to hear about the rest of their lives.
Sign me up for any and all future Trent Dalton books. He writes so differently than any author I've read.
Sting Wemyss was really good too.

Best book I've ever read

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I think this is teen fiction, but not sure. Written from the perspective of a teenage boy. Good listen overall, however my pet peeve is that it is written catering to an American audience. I think it insults American's intelligence that they won't be able to work out what a torch is, alternatingly between flashlight and torch.

Teen fiction?

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I tried to read the book but found it hard going, so bought the audiobook. The performance is excellent and brought the characters to life, which brought me into the story and allowed me to invest in the story. Not your typical story, and it takes some concentration to keep track of all the threads, but ultimately fascinating and a highly satisfying conclusion, where everything comes together. Would certainly recommend. It takes a while to get into, but it a memorable journey.

Memorable

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