Title: Big Swiss
Author: Jen Beagin
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Dark Comedy
Year of Publication: 2023
Date of Publication: February 7, 2023
Pages: 336
ISBN-10: 1982153083
ISBN-13: 978-1982153083
Summary
Main Plot & Characters
Big Swiss follows Greta, a transcriptionist living in a rundown farmhouse in Hudson, New York.
Greta spends her days transcribing therapy sessions for a sex therapist.
The job allows Greta access to some of the darkest sex secrets and desires of residents in the Hudson area.
One day, while transcribing, Greta is captivated by a client’s voice. She soon becomes obsessed with this particular client—Flavia, whom she nicknames “Big Swiss” due to her height and Swiss heritage.
Flavia is a married gynecologist. Like Greta, she is also a dog lover. She has never had an orgasm, which is why she is in sex therapy.
Fascinated by Flavia’s refusal to be defined by her past trauma, Greta eventually meets her in person. She gives Flava a fake name and the two hit it off.
A tumultuous affair later ensues.
Greta is captivated by Flavia’s refreshing approach to life, while grappling with her own unresolved issues, blurring boundaries between professional and personal.
Key Themes
- Trauma and Healing: The novel explores how individuals process or resist their past traumas. Greta’s attachment to Flavia highlights this theme.
- Identity and Desire: Greta’s fascination with Flavia reflects her struggle to understand herself, revealing complexities in desire and identity.
- Humor and Darkness: The narrative blends humor with darker themes, using satire to explore the peculiarities of modern relationships and therapy culture.
Writing Style
Beagin’s writing is witty, bold, and unfiltered, capturing the essence of dark comedy.
Her style of writing makes Greta’s vulnerabilities both humorous and relatable.
Impact of Big Swiss
Big Swiss gained popularity and is currently being adapted into an HBO series, further solidifying its impact in contemporary fiction.
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