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An amazing debut novel, that will send you on a rollercoaster ride of
emotions. Eli Bell and his mute brother August grow up living a life of
crime and violence. At times tagic and heartbreaking, but also filled
with humour and hope. A throughly absorbing read and a beautiful
well written story - Amanda (QBD)
Guest, 26/03/2022
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Dalton's fictionalised biography is a stunningly deft and tender story about coming of age, the complexities of love in a broken family, and (duh) drug dealing. The subject matter can be a little confronting but Dalton packages it up in such an accessible manner that you'll find it difficult to put the book down. Finished it in one night and felt the satisfaction of a nourishing meal. 4.5 stars. - Laura (QBD)
Guest, 31/12/2020
Amazing
A very Raw, witty and intriguing book. It’s definitely worth a read!
Danielle, 25/08/2020
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Trent Dalton's debut novel is a wonderful coming of age story. Based on the authors own life, there is everything you need packed inside. A bit of love, magic and fate. - Kylie (QBD)
Guest, 02/12/2019
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An amazing debut novel, that will send you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Eli Bell and his mute brother August grow up living a life of crime and violence. At times tagic and heartbreaking, but also filled with humour and hope. A throughly absorbing read and a beautiful well written story - Amanda (QBD)
Guest, 01/12/2019
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If you like contemporary Australian writing with a twist, you will love this book. The language and places conjure a certain nostalgia, but this is definitely no ordinary story. What's real and what's not is up to you to find out. A beautiful coming of age story, deserving of the awards it received. - Mark (QBD)
Guest, 27/11/2019
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It's easy to see why 'Boy Swallows Universe' won practically all the literary awards in the last year! Trent Dalton sparks pure magic with words in this unique tale of love, grit, and coming of age. Predicted as the next great Australian classic, this book will hook you by the heartstrings, and never let go! An unforgettable read, from start to finish. - Alyssa (QBD)
Guest, 27/11/2019
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This was THE Australian fiction debut of 2019 – and for good reason. Set in Brisbane, by a local author, it's a coming of age story, a love story, the story of a troubled boy trying to become a good man. Beautifully written, sometimes shocking, with flashes of wonder, this book captured my heart and held it to the end! - Amy (QBD)
Guest, 27/11/2019
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A lost dad, a mute brother, a mum in jail,
a heroin dealer for a stepfather and a notorious crim
for a babysitter... could life get any more complicated
for Eli? Apparently it can because Eli is about to fall
in love. Set in Brisbane's rural suburbs, this captivating
novel will make you both laugh and cry. I read this in just
one sitting as I could not put it down. A definite must read! - Tia (QBD)
Guest, 27/11/2019
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Built from the Authors own life experience entwined with fiction. Enter into the gritty world of heroin trafficking in suburban Brisbane 1980s, told through the eyes of teenager Eli Bell. Eli Bell lives in an environment of crime and chaos yet he finds friendship in the most unlikely places - his mum’s drug dealing boyfriend and his ex-crim babysitter. A perfect read you can't put down! - Cassandra (QBD)
Guest, 27/11/2019
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Boy swallows universe follows the upbringing of Eli, who is born into a very dysfunctional family, surrounded by crime and drugs. Brought up in the 1980s, by his drug dealing step father, Eli's upbringing is absorbing to read. It's funny, it's sad , and what's more, it's beautifully written.
Boy swallows universe ie semi-biographical, and if you enjoyed Shantaram, you will love this. - Peter (QBD)
Guest, 27/11/2019
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A mute brother, a drug addicted mother, an absent father, and a convicted felon as a babysitter; Eli just wants to survive. A gritty coming-of-age novel set in 1980s Australia, with a certain magical realism element to it, and gorgeous lyrical prose, Dalton's debut novel explores the harsh realities of life, childhood, love, and of the pains we must endure if we want to grow up. A new classic. - Joshua (QBD)
Guest, 26/11/2019
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Dalton takes readers through the familiar streets of 1980's Brisbane where youngster Eli Bell and his nonverbal brother navigate a world of drugs, violence and despair. It's a coming-of-age story ping-ponged between the unscathed beauty of Australian suburbia, and its darker viciousness exposed beneath the charm of teenage romance, mateship and familial bonds.An Australian Classic for the ages! - Kaitlin (QBD)
Guest, 26/11/2019
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A gritty, intimate look at a life of crime in 1980's Brisbane, there is certainly a reason why this novel has won so many awards. The storytelling draws you in, and the complex characters keeps you hooked. A story of family ties, finding love, and developing morality in an environment where morality is skewed, Boy Swallows Universe is a novel that you'll struggle to put down! - Shaelyn (QBD)
Guest, 26/11/2019
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A heartbreaking and emotional story with an amazing show of the tenacious spirit within. Set in the 1980's, primarily in Brisbane's tougher suburbs, he has navigated Eli through a tumultous, dysfunstional, traumatic and complex family and environment to unveil a strength of character and indomiatble spirit beyond his years. A story of brotherhood and unlikely bonds, loyalty and love. A must read! - Sheridan (QBD)
Guest, 26/11/2019
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Loosely resembling the author's own childhood, Boy Swallows Universe kicks you in the guts with this tale of drugs, sadness, love, and an air of magic. Following brothers Eli and Gus, this book will make you laugh, cry and break your heart in this coming of age tale. Trent Dalton's debut definitely lives up to the hype. - Megan (QBD)
Guest, 25/11/2019
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Set in QLD in the 1970's in the lower socio ecconomic suburbs this follows a young boy, Eli, in his life, dealing with immigrant parents who have turned to drug dealing in order to make a living for the family. It goes through the consequences of their actions and how that affects himslef and his selctively mute brother and how it then shapes their future. Dalton's writing is phenominal and hard to put down. - Taryn (QBD)
Guest, 02/09/2019
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An utterly wonderful novel of love, crime, magic, fate and coming of age, set in Brisbane's violent working class suburban fringe - from one of Australia's most exciting new writers. Brisbane, 1983: A lost father, a mute brother, a mum in jail, a heroin dealer for a stepfather and a notorious crim for a babysitter. It's not as if Eli's life isn't complicated - David (QBD)
Guest, 08/06/2019
