'Boy swallows universe' by Trent Dalton

At the Byron Bay Writers’ festival 2018 I discovered Trent Dalton and his book ‘Boy swallows universe’. From those three days filled with 150+ sessions portraying more than 140 authors and their books Trent Dalton stood out.

Exuding boyish charm and appearance he described his upbringing with enthusiasm and gratitude, and credits it as inspiration for enduring curiosity of what makes people tick. To outsiders this upbringing was anything but ‘normal’, and might be described as dysfunctional, traumatising and even horrific. It definitely contained plenty of drama. The book is fiction, not a memoir, or 50:50 as Trent Dalton and his mother agree. Based on Dalton’s lived experience the decision to write the book as fiction gave him the freedom to embellish and invent with abandon.

In addition to the author and the book’s story its bright pink cover appealed to me. I decided to buy a copy for my son, who, opposed to Dalton, grew up surrounded by women. At the signing table I made a corresponding comment, and ended up with a book signed ‘’Dearest Simon. I actually wrote this book for you. Deepest thanks for reading.’

Yes. I was charmed.  By the author and his book, one of the few my son read cover to cover, despite its 470 pages. He enjoyed and shared it with friends; I had to wait a while before I got hold of it.

The story is about Eli Bell, his selectively mute older brother August, and the people around them. This coming of age story starts when Eli is 12, and finishes when he starts life as a journalist.

The joy and enthusiasm Dalton exudes are jumping from the page; the detail that characterises his writing  and where it originates from is revealed in the first two pages.

The two boys, Mum & stepdad, Dad, Slim, the ex-convict and babysitter and other distinctive characters make a captivating story. These boys grow up well loved by their unusual family of drunks, convicts and heroin dealers. There’s high drama relating to the drama inherent in lives outside the law. Yet, there’s never any doubt that those boys are loved by those around them.

Lots of wisdom hidden on nearly every page ‘Tears don’t go so well inside’ on page 4, ‘Words don’t go so well inside. Always better out than in.’ on page 5. Within the first few pages it becomes apparent why the boy loves this old convict, and how he shaped his life. Too many children grow up without an adult who ever listens to them, or opens their eyes to reality. Slim’s rather unusual life in prison and its abuse –is conveyed to the 12 year old boy with the old soul, that while the detail must have been traumatising is also firing his imagination.

I just love this book, and highly recommend it to everybody. I love it for the quality of its writing. For the dialogue. For the detail. For the imagination. For the ongoing question – is this real, or imagined? For its unbridled love of life, and never ending curiosity. For the boy’s scheming, determination and love for those around him. It’s a positive, uplifting book. At some stage I thought – that’s a bit far fetched now, can I be bothered finishing it? Then I discovered – there’s too much content on each page to be enjoyed while falling asleep; as soon as I returned to the book fully awake I fell in love with it all over again.

Lots of questions remain – what is fiction, what is truth? I would love to know if Trent Dalton has all his fingers, if he has that lucky freckle.

It’s a book to own, to read, re-read and treasure. Yes sometimes it’s a bit too fantastic, but then – I think we can all do with more imagination and enthusiasm in our lives. This insight into an unusual boyhood is a delight; highly recommended.

Trent Dalton’s new book has just been published…

 

 

 

 

Fiction, 2020Hella Bauer