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Shelly Huffman
Brian Robertson is the caustic editor in chief of The Courier-Mail newspaper, where Eli dreams of working. Eli expects Brian to love words and stories as much as he does—but when Eli first meets Brian, he learns that Brian detests words and cares only for “the scoop.” He regularly asks his journalists to distill complex, difficult stories down into three words, which his reflects his belief that journalism shouldn’t use any words that don’t clearly and succinctly convey the story. Because of this, he finds Eli trying and terms him a “color writer” because Eli loves describing small details using flowery language. Brian initially refuses to even consider hiring Eli, but he eventually agrees once Eli sends him an interview with renowned gang leader Alex Bermudez. This earns Eli the role of the back-up to the back-up horseracing writer. Brian only allows Eli to write for the crime desk after Eli and Caitlyn bring about the downfall of Tytus Broz.
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Brian Robertson Character Timeline in Boy Swallows Universe
The timeline below shows where the character Brian Robertson appears in Boy Swallows Universe. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Boy Tightens Noose
...Courier-Mail is always looking for young people for cadetships. Eli should go ask the editor, Brian Robertson, for one. Eli says he doesn’t feel well and passes the phone to August.
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Boy Digs Deep
...be their star crime writer. Eli asks the woman at the front desk to see Brian Robertson and fiddles with the tie Dad got him at a thrift shop. It reads,...
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Brian Robertson finally exits the building more than an hour after the secretary said he would....
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...her onto the train and asks to sit with her. He tells her about meeting Brian outside, and she laughs; Brian is as rude and callous as he seems. They discuss...
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Caitlyn says Brian asks everyone for three-word headlines. In her interview, she was asked to create a headline...
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Boy Drowns Sea
...now the back-up to the back-up horseracing writer at The Courier-Mail. He basically does whatever Brian Robertson tells him to. He works in the same room as Caitlyn Spies, though she...
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One afternoon, in a scream, Brian asks where the pens are. Eli stands up to see what’s going on, but Amos...
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...red telephone? Addressing Slim, Eli says things keep changing, but the cycles keep repeating. Ignoring Brian Robertson’s rule that Eli can’t hang out at the crime desk, Eli approaches Caitlyn Spies....
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Eli blurts “Iwan Krol” so loud that Caitlyn spins around and stares. Just then, Brian opens his door and shouts at Eli to leave the crime desk alone. Brian then...
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Boy Conquers Moon
...his finger and Lyle, but gives rote answers to the woman. He hangs up when Brian marches over to tell Eli to hurry up. Brian compliments what Eli is currently writing...
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...Eli says his parents will, she says his parents seem surprisingly normal. Then, Caitlyn says Brian will want her to write about this tomorrow—and maybe they can share the byline. She...
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Girl Saves Boy
...five-part story about Tytus Broz’s downfall, with firsthand accounts from Eli. Eli said nothing when Brian asked for the three-word headline. Eli gets out and knocks on the door. The current...
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