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Boy Swallows Universe TV Tie In

The much-loved emotional international bestselling novel from Australia's favourite storyteller, now a major Netflix series
By Trent Dalton
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4.34 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 95,604 ratings, 8,380 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Boy Swallows Universe TV Tie In by Trent Dalton is a gripping coming-of-age story set in 1980s Australia. It follows a young boy, Eli Bell, as he navigates a world filled with crime, love, and family secrets, all while trying to make sense of his extraordinary experiences and the guidance of an ex-convict friend. This poignant and heartwarming tale merges elements of magic realism with gritty realism to explore themes of redemption and hope.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might like this book if you enjoy gripping coming-of-age stories set in 1980s Brisbane, filled with elements of magic realism, love, family, and redemption. The protagonist's journey through hardship and triumph is both heart-wrenching and uplifting, promising a deeply emotional and immersive reading experience.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Australia's favourite novel, now a major Netflix series, starring Travis Fimmel, Simon Baker, Phoebe Tonkin, Bryan Brown, and Anthony La Paglia.

The bestselling, multi-award-winning, much-loved novel that has taken Australia, and the world, by storm is now a major international Netflix series.

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 is heartbreaking, joyous, and exhilarating.

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

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Boy Swallows Universe TV Tie In by Trent Dalton is highly praised for its vivid storytelling, well-drawn characters, and emotional depth. Reviewers often highlight its blend of gritty realism and magical elements, making it a compelling and memorable read. Many commend Dalton's ability to weave a complex narrative that is both heart-wrenching and uplifting.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781460764794

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 29 November 2023

Country: Australia

Imprint: HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 34.0mm

Width: 131.0mm

Height: 200.0mm

Weight: 381g

Pages: 512

Collections

2025 Auckland Writers Festival Best Sellers at Book Hero Books on Screen Fantasy Fiction General Fiction In Stock Books In-Stock Fiction Books Literary Fiction New Release Fiction New Zealand and Australia Published Sci-Fi & Fantasy The Great Clear Out Sale The Great Clear Out Sale: General Fiction Trent Dalton

About the Author

Trent Dalton is a two-time Walkley Award-winning journalist and the international bestselling author of Boy Swallows Universe, All Our Shimmering Skies, Love Stories and Lola in the Mirror. His books have sold over 1.2 million copies in Australia alone.

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