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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
So I was in the middle of reading The Dying Animal by Philip Roth but needed a break from its “very man” writing and character, and so I decided to get Big Swiss. It had an intriguing premise and beautiful cover, and I was all too excited to get something off my TBR list — and something queer at that. A few days later, I’ve finished this one and have not even opened The Dying Animal again, which I think is a testament to how fun of a read this was!
Others have called this bizarre, absurd, and gross, and these are all true. The protagonist, Greta, lives in an antique run-down house that has a gigantic beehive in the kitchen. At one point, they had to bomb it with Raid because maggots formed in the hive, and the scene wherein dead maggots were falling over them was so disgusting. The house also has broken window panes which they attempt to fix using tape (my god!). It also doesn’t seem to have a lock. How can someone sleep in such a house, let alone have sex? In any case, while this book turned out to be very far from my expectations, it is my favorite read (thus far) of 2023. I find the author to be a great writer because not one of their characters are dull — even the most seemingly-peripheral ones are amusing and are actually important to the story. My favorite part reading this is feeling like I’m actually with them in the house. I also really enjoyed the transcripts portions of the story. It does feel like gossip. Where can I find a sex therapist in my area and how do I get to transcribe for them? LOL
4/5 stars
Others have called this bizarre, absurd, and gross, and these are all true. The protagonist, Greta, lives in an antique run-down house that has a gigantic beehive in the kitchen. At one point, they had to bomb it with Raid because maggots formed in the hive, and the scene wherein dead maggots were falling over them was so disgusting. The house also has broken window panes which they attempt to fix using tape (my god!). It also doesn’t seem to have a lock. How can someone sleep in such a house, let alone have sex? In any case, while this book turned out to be very far from my expectations, it is my favorite read (thus far) of 2023. I find the author to be a great writer because not one of their characters are dull — even the most seemingly-peripheral ones are amusing and are actually important to the story. My favorite part reading this is feeling like I’m actually with them in the house. I also really enjoyed the transcripts portions of the story. It does feel like gossip. Where can I find a sex therapist in my area and how do I get to transcribe for them? LOL
4/5 stars
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
To be completely honest... I do not think this book was for me..
It is a lightly insightful take on trauma and female relationships, while at the same time being very humorous.
The thing is, Jen Beagin's humor is not my type of humor. So, while I'm aware of it, in the writing, it doesn't really make me smile or laugh. It's like Tina Fey's humor.
Also, speaking of referring to people, what is with all the random refrences and jokes to Asian strewn throughout?? It's kind of weird?? I've seen some people critize this book for that.
Okay, so a quote (just to show it):
It is a lightly insightful take on trauma and female relationships, while at the same time being very humorous.
The thing is, Jen Beagin's humor is not my type of humor. So, while I'm aware of it, in the writing, it doesn't really make me smile or laugh. It's like Tina Fey's humor.
Also, speaking of referring to people, what is with all the random refrences and jokes to Asian strewn throughout?? It's kind of weird?? I've seen some people critize this book for that.
Okay, so a quote (just to show it):
"these bees seem japanese-y," greta said. "there's something kamikaze about the way they're crashing into shit. Seems like they might be committing suicide."
That combined with the way that Greta just constantly ruminates on big Swiss being Swiss, and her pale skin and white blonde hair, she's just like obsessed with those factors in her appearance.
I get Greta is supposed to be unpleasant, but the humor just didn't do it for me. Nearly all the quotes on the back of the book reference how this book is supposed to be hilarious.
What part was funny? Like about dingdongs??
But yeah... I'm finally FREE
I get Greta is supposed to be unpleasant, but the humor just didn't do it for me. Nearly all the quotes on the back of the book reference how this book is supposed to be hilarious.
What part was funny? Like about dingdongs??
But yeah... I'm finally FREE
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a fantastic book. Funny, dark, introspective, a philosophy on life. Everyone felt so real, like they could be real people and not just characters in a book. They had sharp edges and rounded corners and vulnerabilities. Even the gorgeous people had their faults and they weren’t glamorous faults, just dusty, old regular people faults. Really enjoyed this, author has instantly become an auto-read.
dark
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
as a therapist—-i was screaming at the extreme ethical dilemmas in this book omggggg lol book was aight tho
I like character motivated stories only when the characters are even a slightly bit likeable