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Boy Swallows Universe Crowned Top Book of 21st Century

10/19/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Trent Dalton, an Australian author, saw Boy Swallows Universe named the top book of the 21st century in Radio National's inaugural countdown.
The semi-autobiographical novel is set in 1980s Brisbane and follows Eli Bell.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is second.
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles is third.
The countdown drew 287,990 votes.

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Story summary

Trent Dalton, an Australian author, saw Boy Swallows Universe named the top book of the 21st century in Radio National's inaugural countdown.
The semi-autobiographical novel is set in 1980s Brisbane and follows Eli Bell.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is second.
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles is third.
The countdown drew 287,990 votes.