Big Swiss

LoveReading Says

Greta lives in a small town in upstate New York working as a transcriptionist for a therapist. She is trying her best to get her life back on track when her plans are upended after she hears a voice of one of the therapy sessions she is transcribing. A voice, to be specific, of a woman she has nicknamed Big Swiss because she is stoic, originally from Switzerland, and, she imagines, tall.

But when Greta meets Big Swiss at the local dog park, Greta panics and gives her a fake name. A friendship forms and their relationship blossoms, with Big Swiss (whose name is Flavia) unaware that Greta is privy to her secrets.

At times funny, at other times harrowing, Big Swiss by Jen Beagin is an unconventional love story between Greta and Flavia. But more than that, it also dives into the choppy waters of the lasting effects of trauma, mid-life crises, and how to live your life when your cold old house is infested with bees and barely habitable.

The novel is being developed into a television series by Jodie Cromer, who reportedly will play Big Swiss. 

This is a quirky book, to be sure, but charm abounds in the supporting cast of characters—especially Greta’s housemate Sabine. The dialogue and therapy sessions especially had me laughing at loud, both for the wit and the absurdity of the situation. This novel is chaotic and comical, but also sad. Just like life. 

Reviewed by Maureen Stapleton
Maureen Stapleton, a writer and journalist, has written for The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Radio Times, Heat, and many others.
More reviews by Maureen Stapleton

About Big Swiss

** AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW **** SOON TO BE A MAJOR HBO SERIES STARRING JODIE COMER **'Made me laugh and think too much (the right amount?) about sex and death and honesty.' MONICA HEISEY 'Utterly addictive. . . I laughed so hard it ached.' GILLIAN ANDERSON'Juicy, salacious and compelling. Trauma shouldn't be this fun.' SARA PASCOEGreta liked knowing people's secrets. That wasn't a problem. Until she met Big Swiss.Big Swiss. That's Greta's nickname for her - she is tall, and she is from Switzerland. Greta can see her now: dressed top to toe in white, that adorable gap between her two front teeth, her penetrating blue eyes. She's a head-turner: including the heads of infants and dogs.Well that's how Greta imagines seeing her; they haven't actually ever met in person. Nor has Greta actually ever been to Switzerland.Greta and Big Swiss are not in the same room, or even the same building. Greta is miles away, sitting at a desk in her own house, wearing only headphones, fingerless gloves, a kimono, and legwarmers, transcribing this disembodied voice.What Greta doesn't know is that she's about to bump into Big Swiss in the local dog park. A new - and not entirely honest - relationship is going to be born.A relationship that will transform both of their lives. . .Readers are obsessed with Big Swiss:'This thing is a riot. I laughed out loud regularly. I've never read anything quite like it.''This book is f u n n y''The premise is bizarre but brilliant! I am ready to move to Hudson, NY to meet these folks!'' I haven't read a book this engrossing for a long time.''The blend of real and wit made for a wonderfully sublime experience.'

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