I suspect I’m going to be the lone dissenting voice when it comes to Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton.
This is a debut Australian novel garnering a HUGE amount of attention and rave reviews. In the lead up to our Christmas rush at work last year, this is the book many, many locals were asking for. Customers were returning to tell us how much they ADORED the book and every second book club, including mine, seemed to pick it for their summer holiday read.
I was thrilled that I was going to have a good excuse to make time for this book and I couldn’t wait to get stuck into it.
To start with what I loved:
- The cover – just gorgeous, vibrant and psychedelic. The blue wren makes sense once you start reading. For an in depth look into how cover designers settle on the finished design read this fascinating piece from the Australian Book Design Association. They interviewed Darren Holt and Claire Ward, the Australian and UK designers for Boy Swallows Universe (as well as other designers for other books).
- The writing – Dalton took my breath away. I was completely and utterly WOWED.
- The protagonist, Eli Bell is a wonderful narrator. His voice is believable, charming and unique.
- The introduction of ex-con Slim Halliday as Eli’s babysitter added a quirky touch.
- I loved the themes – a young boy looking for a ‘good man’ to love and model his life on, brotherly love, redemption and protection, a young boys fierce need for mother love.
- Early on I also began to suspect that this book was also heavily embedded in real life events.
- Slim Halliday was a real criminal who did his time in Boggo Road Gaol.
- How much else was real?
March update: I gave this to Mr Books to read because I suspected that he would love it. He did.
He felt the criminal activity was within context and didn’t dominate the story. For him, the story of the boys, the search for goodness and what makes a person ‘good’ and the power of redemption were powerful, moving themes.
He was surprised I couldn’t finish it, even though he has had years of watching me hide behind pillows and my hands in violent movies! (We’re rewatching Game of Thrones in preparation for the final season. Because I know what’s coming, I’m spending even more time behind the pillows than I did with the first viewing, when many of the violent/cruel scenes caught me by surprise. I also know to leave the room whenever Bolton walks on screen).
Facts:
- Longlisted for the 2020 International Dublin Literary Award.
- Winner 2019 ABIA Book of the Year Award | Literary Fiction Book of the Year
- 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 2019 ABIA Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year
- Longlisted for the 2019 Miles Franklin Literary Award
- Shortlisted for the 2019 Colin Roderick Award
bronasbooks.com 
There will always be these kind of books: wow-effect first pages…then not so wow.I'm sure we all can name at least 3 right now! One I just finished (review is in progress) Rebecca.The first few pages were lyrical, atmospheric….then I met Mrs Van Hooper etc and it all deflated like a cheese soufflé.But I digress.True crime just draws in all sorts of readers…and I am also not a fan. Only the writing can save these books or me. Good examples are Helen Garner and Chloe Hooper. This number of readers inflates the 'buzz' and the books sell like hotcakes! I know how difficult it is to push yourself through a book that is just not 'your thing'. I appreciate your perseverance…and an honest review!
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I totally agree with you about Rebecca – it was one of those books for me too. Whereas My Cousin Rachel kept me on tenterhooks the whole way. I don't mind reading about difficult or yucky topics but gang violence and the drug scene are ones that fails to capture my imagination in any way shape or form. The drug culture always just comes across as so sordid and grubby. It seems to suck all the goodness out of the people involved.As you know, I also love Garner & Hooper for their investigative journalism combined with compassionate psychology. Dalton also writes with a lot of compassion, but it wasn't enough to keep me interested in the topic.
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If a book is about drug culture?…I don't even open it.
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