Reviews

Big Swiss by Jen Beagin

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________ang's review against another edition

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dark funny 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

4.5

frances_frances's review against another edition

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funny reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.0

This book was different than I was expecting. In a lot of ways I found it underwhelming and the overall vibe was a bit too quirky/twee for my taste. That being said, the story and characters have stuck with me. Greta's history and circumstances were compelling but her actual personality was kinda flat. Big Swiss/Flavia was way more interesting than Greta and I would love to read this story from her perspective. The world of Hudson and its inhabitants as told through the author was entertaining and funny and felt authentic. And the observations made about trauma and the role it plays in our self conception was interesting. That feels especially relevant right now since the language of trauma-informed practices has become so prevalent.

micheherz's review against another edition

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adventurous tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Interesting plot that feels fresh, and always kept me wanting to read more. The transcription text kept the pace quick which was nice

annie_l_h's review against another edition

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dark funny mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.25

This book wasn’t bad, just not really great. The plot seems compelling but the book just kind of went by in a haze for me, and it wasn’t necessarily a memorable one.

The relationship between Big Swiss and Greta just didn’t feel believable, and while I don’t think it’s a relationship to root for, it just didn’t feel like it would happen in the first place. The ending kind of came out of nowhere as well, and while there seemed to be character development on Greta’s part, it felt so last minute and didn’t really have a root to it.

whatisjacobreading's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

10% of the way in I was about to set this book down and not pick it back up. The characters at the beginning were so stereotyped and because of that they seemed vapid to me. I’m glad I kept reading though because I think I finally got what the author was trying to convey with the small town meets big east-coast personalities for the cast. I want a follow-up book because the ending wasn’t satisfying to me. Loved it overall though.