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julessssss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I enjoyed a lot of things about this book, and at times it was quite difficult to put down. On the other hand though, there was a good amount of things that did not hit too hard, like a lot of the comedy wasn't necessarily funny to me.
overall, I would not recommend this generally, but it is an interesting read.
Graphic: Violence, Animal death, Sexual content, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Blood and Sexual violence
Minor: Rape
hannahgarstang's review against another edition
The drama and characters are messy as they make lots of bad decisions. These personal flaws matched with an unfiltered sense of humor make them ultimately likeable and relatable.
How people relate to traumatic experiences is explored very thoroughly. It asks questions like how does trauma impact our sense of identity? Should we focus on the future and cleave it away from our personhood, but then potentially dismiss any influence it has had on us leading to unresolved emotional processing and maladpative behaviour? Alternatively do we overly identify with it and use it as an excuse to shirk accountabilty for maladpative coping mechanisms and bad behaviour, using it ultimately as a crutch to become a passive or destructive actor in our own lives?
Or should we all maybe go to therapy and process being alive, accepting that accepting ourselves is a lifelong practice?
After thinking about this all so much it made me reflect on my own relationship with trauma.
Their is also a frankness and sometimes even humor in the way they speak about trauma which felt true to life. Humor is a pretty common way of dealing with the hardest stuff in life.
The rich inner lives of animals in this book is also whimsical and wonderful. Adoration or horror of the local insect and bird population along with miniature donkey anticipation parallel the mental states of our protagonist in a really satisfying way. The house Greta and Sabine live in is also a character in itself.
Finally, I really appreciated the perspective Big Swiss is written from. Adult woman doing gay shit in the woods and bar bathrooms is hard to come by, you know. So with that said, what are you waiting for? Don't Regretta not getting around to this bad Boi!
Graphic: Suicide, Violence, Sexual content, Death, Grief, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Stalking
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Rape
Minor: Drug use and Drug abuse
sjxa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
It handles its difficult themes, well, I wouldn’t say ‘delicately’ so much as thoroughly. It spanks them and sends them home to their mamas. Which I appreciate.
People keep saying that this book is gross, often in good reviews, and I guess it is, but I think really it’s SEXY. It’s ‘gross’ parts are bodily, obsessive, and cosmically kinky.
Greta is completely lovable in her obvious flaws and bad behaviour, and I quickly bacame just as obsessed with Big Swiss as she is. So much so that I was pining for more of her tall blonde coldness in the last act, and as the book ended I didn’t know if I found the ending itself dissapointing for a lack of her, or wether I was just dissapointed that the book was over.
I did actually take a quater of a point off for this. I’m sure something else could’ve been done with that very last leg, but not all books can be perfect.
It’s a completley addicting read with vibrant characters that makes you believe in a more interesting world.
PS: I accidentally fancast La Grande Dame from RPDR France and then UK vs The World as Big Swiss, Kimiko Glenn (who I aged 10 years with the power of my mind) as Greta, and Harriet Walter (-10 years) as Sabine (who I LOVED and kind of want to be when i grow up). These castings would be impossible for obvious reasons but are somehow the only right answer.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Toxic friendship, Blood, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Stalking, Death, Animal cruelty, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Minor: Rape
m1923's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Rape
oliviakoeppen's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Suicide, Drug use, Addiction, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Gore, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Death of parent, and Mental illness
princesstiramisu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Rape, Violence, Stalking, Animal cruelty, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Suicide, and Death of parent
Minor: Eating disorder and Mental illness
gimhanig's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Rape, Drug use, and Toxic relationship
ribbenkast's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The writing is unlike anything I've ever read. Jen Beagin is amazing with language. Some sentences feel like a punch in the face, but it somehow feels good.
I understand that it's a defisive book, it's definitely not everyone's cup of tea and that's okay. Personally I had an amazing time with it and I will ad it to my list of favourites.
If you think Sheena Patel's 'I'm a fan' and Melissa Broder's 'Milk Fed' were fun but you wanted something more out there, than this is the book for you.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Rape, Sexual assault, Drug use, Infidelity, Sexual violence, Suicide, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, and Violence
The consent between Greta and Big Swiss is kind of dubious the entire time since Greta is obviously lying about who she is.spectre_warden's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
People who may like this book:
hate Japanese people,
have only seen male gaze lesbian porn,
have never had a healthy relationship with anyone,
hate character development,
still use the 'R' word in 2024,
and know they need therapy but refuse to go.
Graphic: Infidelity, Homophobia, Xenophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Biphobia, Suicide, Stalking, Animal cruelty, Rape, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Racism, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Ableism
anniesher23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
The one thing I’ll give this book is that the writer is definitely talented. She was clearly doing something with all the animal/insect characters and the symbolism of the janky house, but I just wasn’t invested enough in the story to care. Just like, pick a different story next time.
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Rape and Racism