Boy swallows universe by Trent Dalton
Fourth Estate, 2018. ISBN 9781460753897
(Age: 16+) Recommended. Violence, gore and extreme language. Eli and
August are two brothers growing up in 1980s Brisbane and for the
most part, their world and daily life experience, depicted amazingly
well by the author, is instantly recognisable to those who recall
the era. Perhaps not every aspect however, given that they live
amongst heroin dealers and are exposed to unspeakable acts of
violence inflicted as punishment and to eliminate competition.
August is the eldest, who abruptly ceased speaking years before and
communicates only by invisible 'air writing' and facial expression.
Eli yearns to be a newspaper reporter and develops the capacity to
recognise a story at an early age. Whilst their parents undertake
relatively small scale heroin deals and yearn to make the score
which they believe will allow them to escape the trade, the brothers
are watched over by a retired criminal Slim Halliday. Famous decades
before, Slim had wasted most of his life in incarceration, much of
it in solitary confinement, for the murder of a taxi driver and
subsequent prison escapes.
In viewing the bleak plight of these boys who grow up in a
threatening environment, surrounded by people who are either
hopeless or dangerous, the reader is caused to recognise the
inevitability of a life's course. Major crime is never excused or
glorified in this novel, however the author crafts characters who
perform according to a script determined by their parentage,
geographical location, limited opportunity and exposure to sinister
criminals who manipulate and exploit.
The story demands consideration of what goodness remains in people
who are undoubtedly criminal, sometimes ruthlessly bad and perhaps
even murderers. Do acts of kindness counter previous misdeeds? Can
the worst criminals be considered 'good' if they are on your side?
Mysterious elements prevail throughout the tale and Eli follows his
nose and summons what limited help is available to him in a bid to
discover the truth.
I found this story to be very sad. Whilst vicious violence and
cruelty is pivotal to the story, there are many poignant and moving
moments. Little boys yearn for family stability and for their broken
mother to be happy after stumbling from one miserable situation to
the next. At the same time they enjoy a typically childish delight
at the prospect of a Paddle Pop whilst existing insecurely in
poverty.
Touching and amusing moments temper what could be a depressingly
grim novel which is unmistakably exciting and captivating.
Rob Welsh