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Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

Big Swiss by Jen Beagin

35 reviews

pdxpagemaster's review against another edition

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medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

What a strange little book.

I was absolute enamored until the end, which left a feeling of the author quickly tying up plot questions.

The ending is the only thing that docked this from being a 5 star read for me. I also believe that it would have likely benefited from being written in first person vs. third, but wasn't put off by this decision. Otherwise, the book really had me enamored. I don’t think the characters are meant to be likable, but I found myself liking parts of each of them.

I really appreciated how the story approaches the MC’s memories of how suicide impacts a family and lingering suicidal ideation. Particularly the concept of a haunting “p.s.”


I also appreciated the depiction of middle aged female friendship and the MC’s relation to her dog. Both felt authentic and frantic, which is what I miss from many contemporary fiction books.

Great book!
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maureenlessreen's review against another edition

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Vivid violence against women & misogyny 
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gummifrog's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful reflective relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book was like a warm hug, a sweet, slow, loving, hilarious, and realistic memoir of trauma, repression, healing, and relationships. The tone is witty and irreverent, with some truly laugh-out-loud moments and delightfully clever prose. But it's not just a comedy, either - the cover and synopsis has a shock value, but the most surprising thing to me was an empathetic beating heart at the center of this book. I loved Big Swiss and I'm glad I read it.
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bookhead420's review against another edition

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challenging sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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marywahlmeierbracciano's review against another edition

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challenging funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Hot damn, I can already tell this is going to be one of my favorite books of 2023—every page makes me want to bray in delight!  Its self-destructive, middle-aged heroine, Greta, is one of the most fascinating characters I’ve ever read.  Greta has trauma, Greta has issues, Greta has a dog named Piñon and a job as a transcriptionist for a sex therapist with questionable credentials.  To me, Greta’s job feels like drinking gossip through a straw like a milkshake, and it’s how she becomes obsessed with Big Swiss, a client whose sessions she transcribes.  To Greta’s surprise, Big Swiss soon becomes obsessed with her, too.  For readers of Melissa Broder and other fans of hilarious, unforgettable queer chaos.
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