This book wasn’t my cup of tea. I admit that I loved the premise - a stenographer for a therapist in a small town knows things she shouldn’t. It seems every time she is out, she hears a voice she recognizes from her job. That should be fun.

The writing is excellent and there were many laugh out loud moments. I’m no prude, but I couldn’t handle the overwhelming sexual content. About halfway in, that’s all there is. I’m sure many will appreciate that, I didn’t.

2023 books are starting off strong! Similar to choosing one of my most recent reads based on its silly little title, I picked up Big Swiss because I found the cover so amusingly odd. I mean, look at that.

The main character, Greta Work, is a sex therapist's transcriptionist who becomes enamored with one of his clients. Big Swiss (as she affectionately dubbed her) is married, a bit uptight, and like Greta, has dealt with some trauma. The two accidentally meet at a dog park, and a wild affair ensues.

This book was truly off-the-wall and gave me Ottessa Moshfegh and Sally Rooney vibes. It's shocking, gross, and unapologetically honest. It won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I loved reading this book and not knowing what these eccentric characters would do or say next. The dialogue also gave me a laugh, but the book deals with heavy topics, too. Highly recommended.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Selling Pitch:
Do you want a bonkers story about a transcriptionist for a sex therapist becoming obsessed with one of the clients? Do you like messy girl books? Do you like books that are intentionally off-putting and shocking?

Pre-reading:
Obsessed with this cover.

Thick of it:
Oh god, not a Gemini.

👀 I never expect nipples so early in books.

Who sleeps without a pillow???

Gentleman’s relish sounds like an abomination.

I can see this as a bonkers tv show already. Many jump cuts. Chewing Gum style.

I like Greta.

I would love that kind of job. I’m so nosy and curious.

Kundalini. I don’t know why I’ve heard this word before, but I have, but I did have to Google what it was exactly. I knew it was something yoga. (I am now wondering if I possibly heard it in a Try Guys video.)

I am terrified of bees.

It’s giving Anxious People. It’s giving Pushing Daisies. It’s giving Fleabag.

Oh my god, not me knowing that exact OPI shade. (Once a 2000s beautube girlie, always a beautube girlie.)

Chapter one done. I like this book.

Nothing bonds people like hatred.

I like board games and truffle oil, but we can kill the rest.

Oh Hannibal, how you’ve ruined me.
I repeat I really like this book.

Love a horse girl.

I love Mass accents.

Ariana Grande?

And she said she wasn’t a horse girl. Liar. (Kind of sort of. I think she’s in denial about her horse girlness)

Oh no, I like Stacy. Why don’t we like Stacy?

That one line gives me Lenny and Midge vibes from Mrs. Maisel.

I’m confused. Is there a line doubled up because I have an early copy?

I like Stacy. I love a New England boy, babe.

I don’t understand. Literally nothing is wrong with Stacy.

I feel that so much. If you like your brain…

One time she punched me in the face. It was awesome.

But what about Stacy?

Nicole, break up with him.

Jason Bateman is an expressive blinker-what a way to articulate it!

They should break up.

This book’s characters are absurd in the best way, and it seems like they don’t exist, but like, they exist. You’ve met these people.

Om is wild.

I like to watch other people play. It takes the pressure of making mistakes or the wrong choices off or being skilled or talented. You can blame someone else for it.

A SADDLE SHOE

Adding that to the TBR. There’s an episode of Criminal Minds about that? (Yes there is lol.)

I want to hear Om’s story. Morbid curiosity.

I will never be on board with choking.

I love that this is such a dog-person book. This is not a cat-person book.

This book is so funny.

I googled the plant expecting like an orchid or some shit. It looks like an origami crane. Kinda. Or like an origami pinwheel.
No, I googled. I see no boob. Also, holy fuck, am I Greta? Because we had the same thought.

Not the compulsive finishing of videos! Oh no, there’s too much of me in this book, and the world does not need more of that.

I could never be trusted with white bedding.

I do not understand this outfit.

This book is bonkers. I adore it.

Poor Stacy.

I too am better at clothing than faces.

It’s funny, that short story book I just read also had Rhodesian Ridgebacks. They’re not a common dog. Universe funny.

Christmas. How timely.

My mind also went straight to speculums. Jesus.

Bifurcated-inexplicably sexy word. (I stand by this intrusive thought.)

Muglier perfume is awesome.

I am also a fiend for texture.

I think I’ve encountered the word patina before this year, but I did have to Google it again.

Greta, dear lord, please move.

I have lusted after a pink vagina couch all year, and I still want it. I just cannot justify the cost.

Does the dog die dot com? (No, we’re safe, besties.)

One, I want mini donkeys. Two, I love trendy brown.

I would read Om’s book.

The ending is completely unraveled. I was so on board for so much of this book, and the ending left me so confused and wanting.

I don’t know, it feels like therapy buzzwords rather than any actual character growth, progress, or healing.

Post-reading:
Wow, what a book to be my last of the year. I know, I know. I’m really sneaking this one in under the wire. The cover is so stunning. I don’t know how anyone sees it and doesn’t want to read this book. The synopsis for it is dead on. I don’t know why that’s so impressive to me, but it is. I feel like a lot of books try and tell you what they’re about, and then they’re nothing like that. Not the case here. It’s bonkers. It’s off-putting on purpose. It’s funny. I can see people not liking the ending. I don’t really like the ending. It’s hard to have a book that kind of has no point to it? Your main character, your narrator isn’t looking for growth or to fix herself really, so there’s no real resolution. You just kind of experience the book. You get to go vibe with these characters for a little bit. It’s almost more like a collection of think-piece essays with the same theme, by the same person. It’s not that. Let’s be very clear, but I think that’s closer to what this book is than your standard character feels bad, character experiences romance, character changes.

I think what’s hard about this book is most people are gonna be on board for a good 80% of it, but the ending kind of really derails, and there are some absurdist moments in the book where you’re like is this mental illness? Is this an unreliable narrator? But I think, in actuality, it’s just poor writing and certain events not being explained enough. Like, what’s up with Keith? You know, that key storyline made no sense to me. I feel like I missed something. I was waiting the whole book to hear that she had made him up in her head entirely, and that the person who had attacked Flavia had been released, but hadn’t interacted with them at all. Also, it’s probably the Massachusetts whore in me, but I loved Stacy, and I wanted a resolution for him because he deserved it. He seemed wonderful. More Stacy, please. Book about Stacy.

I think another criticism people might have for this book is how the actual therapy goes down. But I think people are going to criticize it for what it’s not, rather than for what it actually is. It’s not meant to be a guidebook for therapy. Om’s meant to be off-the-walls and like a caricature. I think you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who understands the book going oh yeah, you’re supposed to treat Om and the therapy as helpful and insightful. Om’s the bad therapist, that you experience that almost turns you off of therapy. But it’s almost like you need to experience the bad version of something to see how a good version could possibly be helpful and what would define a good version for you. Does that make sense?

I don’t know, this book is messy, and I love it. Apparently, it’s going to be a show, so that’s exciting!

Who should read this:
Messy book fans
Angry, sad girls
Problematic character fans
Queer romance fans

Do I want to reread this:
Yes

Similar books:
* In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado-abusive lesbian relationship told through literary tropes
* My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh-this is THE angry, sad girl book for me, and I will not stop recommending it.
* Anxious People by Fredrik Backman-bonkers ensemble cast, musing on suicide
* The Seaplane on Final Approach by Rebecca Rukeyser-sleaze as observations
* Bunny by Mona Awad-book designed to be off-putting
* Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney-problematic characters vibing through life
* Sam by Allegra Goodman-angry, sad girl comes of age
* Games and Rituals by Katherine Heiny-angry, sad girl short stories
* You Have a Friend in 10A by Maggie Shipstead-read this if you want edgy short stories with range

The synopsis does an excellent job of outlining the plot. What is doesn't convey is how weird, off-the-wall, funny and wholly-original this novel is. Like many others, I read it because I read it's being made into a feature with the effervescent Jodie Comer, and as I read it I could totally picture her in the story. This is one novel I won't soon forget.

Per the publisher I will wait to fully review closer to the books release. But WOW I loved it and honestly cannot wait for the HBO adaption. I couldn't stop reading after it go to the Boston accents

Books like Big Swiss are hard to review, in part because I’m never exactly sure what I read, upon finishing.
There’s no clear resolution, when an unlikeable, unapproachable narrator isn’t seeking personal growth. Rather, the point is simply to spend time with them.
This was an unhinged, gross, sexy, addicting read. I won’t be forgetting it anytime soon.

"It's gong, honey, not dong."

I really love books that have an air about them from the get-go, and Big Swiss certainly has that "wtf" factor I can't stay away from.

Greta has recently moved to a new area and taken a job transcribing sessions for a local therapist, Om, when she hears a session that changes her life. Dubbing the patient 'Big Swiss', Greta knows only her initials (FEW), her date of birth (5-23-90), her client ID (233), and her voice, which is low and loud and a little sad.

When one day Greta runs into Big Swiss at the dog park, Greta begins navigating a relationship with her based upon false pretenses.

The main character, Greta, is one of the best main characters I've read recently, and she surprised me several times. Her incredible self awareness while also harboring her own trauma was in its way so understandable and her faults so real. Her commentary as she transcribed the sessions of Om's clients had me cackling wildly at times. Raw and wild, this book was different than the average read. The house full of bees, the donkeys, Piñon, it was all so ridiculous and I absolutely loved every second of it.

Thanks so much to Scribner and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this publication in exchange for my honest thoughts.

A wonderful story where real life and fantasy collide. Greta a transcriber for a sex therapist finds her life slowly then rapidly unraveling due to affair with one of her employer’s patient. It’s a story that starts with fantasy about the patient and then worlds collide in the real world. It’s fun and heartbreaking and truly worth the accolades.

greta runs away from her life in california and settles down in hudson, new york, where she moves into a 200 year old house teeming with bees, and gets a job transcribing for the town's sex therapist. eventually she becomes enamored with one of his new clients, who she creatively dubs, "Big Swiss." privy to half of the town's deepest darkest secrets, greta keeps her circle small (her little dog piñon) as not to complicate matters. but then she runs into THEE big swiss herself at the dog park and a complicated friendship ensues.
this was my first jen beagin and i will for sure be paying a visit to her back log. this book is so odd and special, so unserious but then deadly serious at times, dealing with the traumas of these two women who never learned how to live with their pasts. the characters are eccentric but lovable and i was head over heels for all of it. the writing and characterization reminded me a lot of one of my favorite books, everyone in this room will someday be dead! i have a feeling this book will be huge next year and i cant wait for you all to read it too! (fyi its already being made into an hbo show omg?)
thank you to scribner and netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review this title! look for big swiss when it comes out february 9, 2023!

Big Swiss! BIG. SWISS. This book! This book is fantastic and made me laugh out loud a lot. It's going to be such a hit next year. I haven't read anything by Jen Beagin before, but I'm certainly going to go back and read through her back catalogue. I've never encountered writing like her's before. It is weird, unnerving. confident, and again, seriously hilarious.

Greta, our heroine, has a lot of issues. She runs away from her life in California to start anew in Hudson, NY where she becomes a transcriber for the local sex therapist. There, she becomes infatuated with one of his patients who she nicknames Big Swiss. As you can tell already, this just just asking for trouble. Of course they are going to eventually meet in real life and, of course, things become complicated. The cast of characters in this novel is for the ages, my favorite being Sabine who owns the dilapidated and bee-invested mansion Greta shares with her. It is fast-paced and fun, and I can't wait for you all to read it too.

*thank you netgalley & publisher for providing me with an advanced copy to review & read*

what a very interesting & odd book. I’ve had my fair share of unhinged girly books but this one was so different from anything I’ve read.

I think the overall concept of this book was interesting from the start. “big Swiss” or flavia was an interesting character but I think that Greta is really what made the story so good. i think without greta, “big swiss” really wouldn’t of been that interesting.

story starts off really strong, and I feel like you’re in it just for the thrill of greta transcribing sessions and inevitably meeting flavia. it dragged a little bit around the 55% mark but pick up again shortly after. I think the rise & fall of the relationship between the two was inevitable but I honestly expected a way more dramatic breakup. I was way happier with the way the author chose to split the two. I definitely was yearning for more and borderline in tears that a passionate couple essentially split without hashing things out too much. I wanted them to have a happy ending despite their very unhealthy relationship.

one of the best parts of this book in my opinion was the house, and Sabine. It was so weird, quirky, and eccentric. literally there are no other words. I would love to sleep in the anti chamber for one night.

honestly the best part of this book was the ending, I think gretas sessions with the therapist were so damn good. I was very emotional reading the last 5% of the book. greta was such a good character and this book was surprisingly funny.

highly recommend for all my Instagram friends and I can’t wait for its release!!

Big Swiss is legitimately one of my favorite books of the year, if not the last few years. It's fantastic! This book is funny, moving, and deeply original. I really appreciate the different approaches to trauma and repression we see manifest between the characters and the way that trauma can impact us years after the event itself. I especially loved the relationship between the protagonist and Big Swiss, and the (surprisingly?) touching ways their intimacy appeared on the page. I was impressed by the sex on the page, too. This was a novel I wanted to devour but I paced it over a few days to really savor it. I saw it's already being made into a TV series and am honestly excited for that, too; what a deserved win! I think it'll translate really well on screen. I haven't read the other books by this author but am super excited to dive into them next.

Jen Beagin is new to me, but I’ll definitely be on the look out for her work in future. What a pleasurable experience her book is, full of humour and heart, energy and originality. I shall. It’s having its voice to distract and engage me.

The premise of BIG SWISS by Jen Beagin sounded fantastic and I couldn't wait to read it.

However, I struggled to get very far into the story and finally gave up. Something about the main character's voice never quite felt authentic and it held me back. Again, the idea for the book is fun and interesting and I highly recommend other's check out it to see if it's a better fit for them.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the e-galley!

Big Swiss took my breath away.. Jen Beagin’s writing is hilarious,, wise, smoking hot, and ultimately very moving. It’s impossible not to fall in love with Greta—her wonderfully idiosyncratic, late-blooming heroine—and Beagin’s portrait of life in the hipster mecca of Hudson, New York is razor sharp, delicious, and deeply affectionate. I can’t recommend Big Swiss highly enough. Thank you Simon and Schuster for sending me a galley!

This book was a ride from the very start. I’ve been going through a pretty bad reading slump but this book brought me back. Being a fly on the wall to the insane appointments that go on in the sex coaches office to watching the happenings in Gretas shared farmhouse was priceless. Before anything “interesting” happened, this book had already trapped me. The writing and story in this book are brilliant. I don’t fully understand what I read but I did find interesting how it showed different ways people deal with trauma. In a way, this book showed how easy it can be to go from victim to abuser when dealing with you trauma and not even realize it. I love that at the end of the book we were able to sit with Greta and really unpack everything we just read.

Greta's emotional detachment makes it easier for her to maintain a sense of removal from her job transcribing patient sessions for a sex and relationship therapist. But she's new to Hudson, New York, and doesn't know how often she might hear a familiar voice around town, only to realize she knows that stranger's most sexually charged secrets. Greta becomes obsessed with one patient she calls Big Swiss, and when she runs into her at the dog park, they form a tenuous friendship full of complicated secrets and lies.

Messy, uncomfortable, sometimes gross, and always completely bizarre. None of those descriptors sound like good things, but this book is incredible! I fell head-first into Greta's story and was completely swept away. It's full of trauma and every trigger warning in the book, but it somehow evokes way more delight and curiosity than sadness and fear. I'm in awe of the twisted and wonderful mind of Jen Beagin.

This novel was everything I needed from a novel right now: laugh out loud funny, brazenly honest characters, vivid and original language, and a page-turning plot, There is nothing cookie cutter about Beagin’s people and yet you feel that you’ve known them forever. I’m reading her previous novels next.

The deal: Greta lives in a crumbling farmhouse in upstate New York, where she works as a transcriptionist for a sex therapist. Then she becomes obsessed with one of her boss’s patients, a younger woman with buckets of trauma, a.k.a. “Big Swiss.” It only gets more entangled from there. (I got an ARC from NetGalley.)

Is it worth it?: I liked this, but I also like some freak shit. If you’re cool with a bit of grotesqueness, and a bunch of darkness (e.g. something like Milk Fed), you’ll probably enjoy Big Swiss. Jen Beagin feels like East Coast Melissa Broder to me. Also, this is being adapted into a limited series starring Jodie Comer, so read it while it’s hot or whatever.

Pairs well with: Killing Eve, a gym bag filled with your favorite childhood condiments

B

Beagin has managed to create complex, flawed, morally grey and endearing characters here which you can’t help but feel compelled to find out more about. We all know there’s a ‘sad girl’ book revolution happening right now and this one definitely fits into that category, but what I really loved about this one was that the main character is a woman in her forties, which was so refreshing. If you like authors such as Melissa Broder and Ottessa Moshfegh and books that explore trauma, identity, sexuality, coping mechanisms, obsession and power dynamics- this is definitely a book for you!! I’m so excited that this is also being adapted and think Jodie Comer will do such an incredible job at portraying ‘Big Swiss’- a true win for the gays!!