Boy Swallows Universe: Trent Dalton

Texta is no ordinary book club; it's for people who love art. We use fiction (mostly) to unpack the subjects, themes and emotions of art. Conversation is never colourless, and is facilitated by our brains trust from QUT Creative Industries Faculty.

To coincide with the exhibition Anne Wallace: Strange Ways at QUT Art Museum, we will be discussing Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton.

Brisbane, 1983: A lost father, a mute brother, a mum in jail, a heroin dealer for a stepfather and a notorious crim for a babysitter. It's not as if Eli's life isn't complicated enough already. He's just trying to follow his heart, learning what it takes to be a good man, but life just keeps throwing obstacles in the way - not least of which is Tytus Broz, legendary Brisbane drug dealer.

But Eli's life is about to get a whole lot more serious. He's about to fall in love. And, oh yeah, he has to break into Boggo Road Gaol on Christmas Day, to save his mum.

Boy Swallows Universe is a novel of love, crime, magic, fate and coming of age, set in Brisbane's violent working class suburban fringe – from one of Australia's most exciting new writers.

The evening commences with a brief tour of the current exhibition, followed by a glass of wine and generous amounts of conversation about the title of choice.

Texta is held through the year on Tuesday evenings from 6:15pm. Purchase this title from the QUT Bookshop or QUT Art Museum.

Download your Texta bookmark (PDF file, 137.1 KB)