Big Swiss: 'Incredible book. . . I couldn't put it down.' Jodie Comer

Description:Greta works as a transcriptionist, typing up therapy sessions. She's entranced by one particular patient, and jumps at the chance to get to know her in the flesh.Liked:So easy to read! Very entertaining, consistently engaging - a bright, fresh voice and style, irreverent and witty. Everyone is morally grey, and there's lots going on. An interesting look at trauma, avoiding even an ounce of gravitas or self-pity.Disliked:There was a LOT of kookiness, particularly at the start of the book. Felt a bit hard to get my bearings when there's nothing very normal to latch onto; every thing that happens is off-beat. I felt this either subsided or I came to appreciate it by the end of the book, though.Would recommend. You'll breeze through this and wish it were a little longer 😉

A very unusual book with some laugh out loud moments, coupled with some dark moments and an overall feeling that people are rarely what they seem.

Quite funny at times, and good descriptions of interesting characters.A bit on the nose when it comes to trying to be cool and original.

This thing is a riot. I laughed out loud regularly. I've never read anything quite like it.I've never been so invested in such a problematic protagonist, and all the while desperate for her to get it together. I wanted to grab her by the shoulders and yell at her, but also couldn't wait to see what utterly insane thing she was going to do next. I love the characters and all of their idiosyncrasies, and certainly wouldn't mind a sequel if it meant we got to see more them.Greta and Flavia's relationship is obviously highly toxic on multiple levels, but the way everything unfolds is pure comedy and as a queer person I appreciate that this literature exists. Obviously they're no model for a healthy pairing, but at the same time their story is valuable because it is absolutely a high quality mainstream-acessible queer text in a world where these still lack. There is a short, casually thoughtful paragraph where Greta touches on how in the nineties she '... flirted with the idea of... embracing her bisexuality, but it had all been so rigid back then, so black-and-white'. Nuanced depictions of queer people and their relationships are vital in moving towards a more fair and truly equal world that accurately represents the extensive variety of people in it, even if in Greta's case, her moral compass points in dubious directions sometimes.Jen Beagin has real flair for wit and dark humour. It's vulgar, yes, but there's a lot of very real and thoughtful conversation going on about trauma and relationships, albeit wrapped in a rude and laugh-out-loud-hilarious package. I can see some finding this novel quite unpalatable; my only suggestion, maybe know the vibe before picking it up, but don't spoil yourself. I wish I could read it again for the first time.

Greta is a transcriber for a Sex Therapist and she becomes infatuated with a patient (Big Swiss) via her transcripts. They come to meet in real life and embark on an unusual and not entirely honest relationship.This book was a wild ride.The main protagonist is obnoxious and offensive, seemingly with intent. Her love interest is equally unlikeable and hard to tolerate. They are both products of pain and trauma. Together they are fascinating as they move at break need speed towards disaster.The peripheral characters of Om and Sabine are fabulous - this story would be nothing without them. I felt the same about the town of Hudson which is described so cynically it made me laugh out loud.I did feel some serious issues were dealt with somewhat flippantly so it's important to check the trigger warnings if you're going to pick this up however I do appreciate it's a satire.The writing is distinctive, fresh and funny.The story is off the chart wacky.At times it squeezed my heart, at times it made me laugh, at times it was dark, uncomfortable and disturbing.I read compulsively until I was done.It was totally addictive.Ad/ pr product.

Enjoyed the book (i'm not a book worm!) and the story was interesting and engaging. Would definitely recommend 95% of the book but the ending was rubbish! No spoilers but the ending is abrupt and empty.

On one level this is an enjoyable read in parts with some funny, witty observations and good one-liners. But the characters are not well drawn. Big Swiss is an attractive cool woman who commands attention wherever she goes. Her protagonist, Greta, her counsellor’s transcriber, is a weak dull character. Why they embark on a sex fest is unclear. It is mechanical and ‘over-vaginated’. Apart from their addiction, you are waiting for the lie to be exposed: that Greta knows about Big Swiss’ conversations with her counsellor. Good idea with potential. However, her interaction with the counsellor (a weirdo if ever there was one) is largely one of Big Swiss bettering him. The character of Sabine, with whom Greta lives in a tumble-down wreck of a house, is ill-drawn. She drifts aimlessly in and out of the story contributing little.What lets this good idea down, is the lack of any love between these shallow principals. ‘I have between this time and this time for you’. ‘Don’t look at me and I won’t look at you’. It is the stuff of a sex manual. The only real love is between Greta and her dog. With the truth revealed, Greta goes to to counselling. This is a repetition of things we know and is endlessly ‘plonky’.There is some smart writing. Pity about the cardboard characters and their motivations. I ended up not caring about them which means a book that doesn’t live up to the hype and recommendations.

The characters were so intriguing (even though at times, unlikeable!) Couldn’t put it down

I have been struggling to find an author - and a book - to call my favorite, but I think I have finally satisfied this craving.The writing style is one of my favorite aspects of the book, because of the author’s word choices when describing people, specially, and dialogues between them. I also really like the plot and how every character seems eccentric in their own way.I definitely will be reading her other pieces, and I am also anticipating that I will, most definitely, miss her writing and characters once I’m done with them all.

"Big Swiss**" by Jen Beagin is a captivating and unconventional exploration of identity, obsession, and the complexities of human connection. Set against the backdrop of an ancient Dutch farmhouse in Hudson, New York, the story follows Greta, who lives with her friend Sabine in a home that feels as unrefined and raw as her own life. Working as a transcriber for a sex coach named Om, Greta becomes infatuated with one of his clients, a repressed married woman she dubs Big Swiss. This infatuation deepens when she recognizes Big Swiss’s voice in town, leading to an unexpected friendship that pulls Greta into a web of intimacy and desire.As Greta navigates the thrilling yet precarious dynamics of her relationship with Big Swiss, she grapples with the ethical implications of her actions, particularly her eavesdropping on their therapy sessions. Beagin masterfully captures Greta’s internal struggles, highlighting her longing for connection and the thrill of being her true self around someone who doesn’t judge her. "Big Swiss" is a provocative and poignant tale that deftly blends humor and pathos, inviting readers to reflect on the different facets of love, authenticity, and the choices that shape us. Beagin’s sharp wit and keen observations make this novel a thought-provoking and engaging read, perfect for those seeking a fresh take on modern relationships.

Libro que me recomendaron y no me defraudó, es muy curioso, solo apto para mentes abiertas, ya que es un poco surrealista y a veces no sabes bien como imaginarte al situación ya que te vuela la cabeza, por eso mismo me parece tan original.

Brilliant and funny ! Couldn't stop reading. Can't wait for it to be adapted on TV with Jodie Comer as Big Swiss

It was a slow burn for me, difficult to get into but once I did - I was hooked! Although, the ending felt rushed with too many questions left unanswered!