Boy Swallows Universe

The book balances gritty crime elements with moments of genuine warmth and humor. I'm curious how this tonal mix was approached during writing.

The detailed descriptions of Brisbane in the 80s made the environment almost a character. Was this a conscious choice to ground the story in a specific place and time?

Some scenes felt dreamlike, almost like memories or hallucinations. I wonder if that was planned to reflect the protagonist’s inner world or came naturally during writing.