October book: Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton

Boy Swallows Universe

by Trent Dalton

Discussion to be led by CH



Some background links to get you started:

• Why Trent Dalton wrote Boy Swallows Universe - Harper Collins blog
• Publisher's page for the book (Harper Collins)
• Review by Amelia Lester in the New York Times
• Podcast of Trent Dalton at Sydney Writers' Festival (audio) 
• Review by John Collee in the Sydney Morning Herald
• Book club notes at Harper Collins
• Read with Raf review: Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton on ABC Drive with Rafael Epstein (audio)
• The Path to Publication (YouTube video)

What we discussed about the book:

• How the experience of this book may differ depending on whether it was 'read' as an audio book or a traditional written page book 
• use of the word 'reef' or 'reefing', 'reefed' - who noticed this?
• the idea that the only two things you need to provide for kids is love and a quiet place. How was this shown in the book?
• the importance of mentors - Slim, Lyle. Do mentors need to be 'good' people?
• The theme of questioning 'are you a good man'? Why was Eli fixed on this? is it possible to be good and bad?
• The fine line between magic and madness - e.g. the red telephone
• What does 'boy swallows universe' mean? Is it a metaphor for taking control of your life? 
• The theme of escape - escapes from prison, escapes from gangs, the ibis escaping from capture, escaping through the underground tunnel, Papillon novel
• the authenticity of the voices of each character

And then we were distracted onto:

• What makes the difference for kids from traumatic and/or disadvantaged backgrounds? Love? Good mentors? Having at least one person in your corner? 
• Writing a memoir as catharsis. Does the period of time passed influence this? How does the process of writing create that catharsis?
• Does a traumatic story require an element of love and hope in order to be retold and worked through? What happens if it doesn't?
• What were our own experiences of Australia in the 1980s - what elements were recognisable? 
• Why has this book been so popular? What is it that captures the public's imagination? 

In other news:

• We talked about what we're watching - Taboo (https://10play.com.au/taboo/episodes/season-1), Old People's Home for 4 Year Olds (https://iview.abc.net.au/show/old-people-s-home-for-4-year-olds)
• We warmly welcomed our 'new girl' - who was then submitted to twenty questions about her life and background :)
• We had updates on 21sts and 60ths, and new jobs

Ratings

Range: 6.5 to 10

Average: 8.56