Boy Swallows Universe

Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton is a mesmerising fusion of autobiography and fiction, set against the wild backdrop of 1980s Brisbane. It tells the enthralling tale of Eli Bell, a young boy navigating the rough edges of his turbulent life. Upon the first glance, his existence is a heart-wrenching tale of broken families and dangerous liaisons: a lost father, a mute brother, a mother battling addiction, a heroin dealer for a stepfather, and a notorious criminal as a babysitter.

Eli's journey is not just about survival but about finding light amidst darkness. He's on a quest to comprehend the true essence of goodness, grappling with the teachings of fate which seem perennially out of his favour. At the heart of his challenges stands the formidable figure of Tytus Broz, Brisbane's legendary drug dealer, adding a formidable hurdle to Eli’s quest for normalcy.

As the narrative unfolds, life thrusts Eli into situations far beyond his comprehension: reuniting with a father he barely remembers, undertaking a daring escape mission at Boggo Road Gaol to rescue his mother on Christmas Day, confronting the very criminals who shattered his world, and experiencing the sweet turbulence of first love.

What makes Boy Swallows Universe stand out is its depiction of unlikely friendships, brotherhood, and undying love. It's a story that promises to leave you heartbroken, joyous, and utterly exhilarated, all at once. This novel is indeed a rollercoaster of emotions, written with poignant prose and vivid imagery, making it a must-read that will linger in your mind long after the last page is turned.

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:

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

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