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ClareR (5996 KP) rated Boy Swallows Universe in Books

Jun 1, 2021

Boy Swallows Universe

Trent Dalton | 2021 | Contemporary, Crime, Fiction & Poetry

8.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

Boy Swallows Universe is the second book in a month that:
I nearly gave up on,
I’m glad I didn’t.

It’s the story of Eli Bell, a 12 year old boy who lives in the Brisbane suburbs with his mum, stepdad and older brother. All sounds normal, until we find out that his mum and stepdad are ex-junkies, his stepdad sells heroin, and his brother is an elective mute following a traumatic, unnamed event.

Drug dealing aside, Eli and Gus’ mum, Frances and Stepdad Lyle, seem really nice! And their babysitter is equally lovely, despite the fact that he’s a murderer who has served his time. Despite all the crime and criminals around him, Eli just wants to grow up to be a good person, a crime journalist - after all, he has in depth knowledge!

This is a dark and sad book in parts, yet there were still events that made me laugh - there’s humour in even the darkest moments. Eli’s life is a one of trials and hardships, and reflects his indomitable spirit. He tries to see the good in everything, and I loved that about him.

Kudos

Karl Hyde recommended Rubycon by Tangerine US in Music (curated)

Rubycon by Tangerine US

(0 Ratings)

Album Favorite

"When I was a kid I heard all this strange electronic music that came from Germany on pirate radio and on the Peel show and it seemed like music from another planet and I wanted it. Then one afternoon I was listening to Radio 1 and Annie Nightingale played one whole side of Rubycon and it was life changing. I said to her, many years later, "that was incredible!" and she said, "oh John used to do that all the time, he was the first to do that." But it was like Annie became a pirate for one moment and took over the whole of Radio 1. That meant a lot. That was the spirit of making music to me. You do what feels right. If you want to play half an hour, you do it and accept the consequences but you have to do what the music tells you to do. Tangerine Dream made these extraordinary, electronic soundscapes. Is it an animal or is it a machine? Tangerine Dream crossed over that a lot. And then Annie played the entire side and blew my head."

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Kudos

Kristina (502 KP) rated You Loved Me At My Darkest (You Loved Me, #1) in Books

Dec 7, 2020

I really, really want to give this 4 stars. However, my ratings don't just include how much I enjoyed the story, they also include how I feel about punctuation, misspelled words, and grammar. Honestly, that is the only thing keeping me from giving You Loved Me At My Darkest 4 stars. There were several misspelled words (and I am aware that some of these words are not spelled the American way - I do not considered these words misspelled), some places where words were missing, and a good amount of incorrect punctuation. However! I really, really enjoyed reading this book. Despite it being hard to keep up with perspective (mostly in the beginning), I was easily captivated and it wouldn't let go! The story was heartbreaking, but filled with so much fight and spirit. I didn't want to put it down. My heart beat in sync with Lily's. I felt her pain, I felt her fear, I felt her love. I was more reserved in allowing myself to completely trust Jake, more so than Lily was, but it was easy to see that there was something bigger going on. I definitely do not regret finding Evie's book!