Reading guide for Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton

Reading Guide Questions

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Slim's view of the world is that: "We all got a bit o' good and a bit o' bad in us…" Discuss the ways in which characters in the novel are both good and bad at the same time.
2. What do you think is the meaning of the red telephone, and the mysterious voice that speaks to Eli?
3. Do good life lessons remain valid if delivered by evil men?
4. What sort of man do you hope (or fear) Eli Bell will grow into?
5. What do you think, ultimately, Eli Bell is searching for in life and in that secret room?
6. Why do you think August chooses to be mute?
7. Does the knowledge that much of this novel is based on Trent's own life change your reading of the book? Enhance it? Or does it not make a difference?
8. Do you think that the trauma that Mrs. Birbeck talks about is a factor in Eli's journey?
9. Do you think the novel is optimistic or pessimistic about the world?
10. Discuss the idea that August may have knowledge of future events and how this is suggested and also at times debunked.
11. "Do your time before it does you," says Slim. What does Eli take this to mean and how does he act on it?
12. The novel presents an interesting view of adults from a child's perspective. What does it say about adults and particularly adult men? And what does Eli learn from this?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Harper Perennial. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.