- This is a stunning, beautifully, even poetically, written novel. It's an astonishing achievement.
- Eli Bell’s maturity, intelligence and articulateness are way beyond real, especially for a 13 year old. Yet he's hugely likeable, and a superb creation.
- It's a bit Boys Own adventure: eg Eli’s escape from hospital (169ff); his escape from the women’s section of Boggo Road prison (272ff).
- The prose is electrified by constant pop culture allusions. It’s on fire; it rocks! Colour and vitality define the novel. - Its characters, plot and location; and the vivid writing. It’s often very funny. But in the end it turns out to be a horror story.
- The dialogue is so realistic and very Australian. Absolutely captures the characters, particularly the constant use of ‘fucking’.
- The main characters become so attractive and engaging - even the drunks, druggies and crims. They’re bonded by love, loyalty and friendship. Except for the real nasties like Tytus Broz, Iwan Krol, and Teddy.
- There’s cliche here - young innocent heroes, old baddies (‘foreign’ as well - Polish; Vietnamese). It definitely has a YA feel at times but only echoes and suggestions. Not in essence or substance.
- At the extreme, humans exhibit, need and get love, friendship and loyalty.
- This is not just a debut novel. It is a masterwork from an experienced non-fiction storyteller. It has so much power and drive. It's a real blockbuster, and will undoubtedly be a huge, worldwide seller, and quite probably made into a great movie.
- Literary? Hard to say. Crime or action novels are rarely deemed ‘literary’.
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