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cspa's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I had heard great things about this book and have recently been drawn to complex female characters, particularly of the unhinged variety. I thought it would be a perfect match, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The passion seemed lacking, and the character dynamics felt flat. Despite the characters expressing desire, as a reader, I struggled to sense it. The cozy moments felt more awkward than a cat trying to swim, and the intimate scenes were anything but, which made it challenging to believe the characters genuinely cared for each other even a little bit. The narrative leaned heavily on telling rather than showing, leaving interactions unexplored and reactions unexpressed. Though I would actively avoid these characters in real life - finding them quite irritating - I’ve managed to love books with unlikeable characters in the past, this one, however, will not be added to that list.
When I initially grabbed this book, the summary on the back cover intrigued me: a sex therapist's transcriptionist crosses ethical boundaries by engaging in an affair with a client... talk about drama! While there were some amusing moments, they weren't sufficient for me to classify it as a humorous read. I was looking forward to seeing therapeutic interactions that could offer a deeper understanding of the characters' challenges. However, it did not meet my expectations in that regard either...
When I initially grabbed this book, the summary on the back cover intrigued me: a sex therapist's transcriptionist crosses ethical boundaries by engaging in an affair with a client... talk about drama! While there were some amusing moments, they weren't sufficient for me to classify it as a humorous read. I was looking forward to seeing therapeutic interactions that could offer a deeper understanding of the characters' challenges. However, it did not meet my expectations in that regard either...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Torture
Moderate: Fatphobia, Gun violence, and Animal cruelty
decameters's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Death of parent, Violence, and Infidelity
Moderate: Drug use, Animal cruelty, and Eating disorder
Minor: Fatphobia
savvylit's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
First of all, sorry to the Big Swiss fans out here but this book was just okay for me. Let me talk about what I liked: this book is often quite funny. I really appreciated each absurd detail - especially those about Greta & Sabine and their crumbling house full of bees. Additionally, everything about Om and his clientele is also incredibly funny. The fire breathing, the gong... Beagin has created an excellent satire of a specific brand of neohippy and the people that they attract.
What I didn't like is a little more complex. So: Greta is an unreliable and unlikeable messy narrator. Historically, I've been a fan of books with messy female protagonists. However, some of the language that Greta uses is pointlessly offensive. Within the first twenty pages, Greta makes an offhand comment where she says that the bees are "Japanesey." Later in the book, she says the r-slur as an insult. Even later, she refers to her face while crying as Chinese. All offhanded. Bi-erasure is also threaded throughout Big Swiss, unexamined. The central relationship in this book is wlw. Greta has recently broken up with a man and Flavia is currently married to a man. And yet, when Greta realizes how attached she is to Flavia and their relationship, she is determined to label herself and Flavia as gay. Even as Flavia disagrees with that choice.
Ultimately, I generally enjoy books with messy and complicated characters. However, I take issue with the use of hateful language to frame the unlikeability of a narrator. It was jarring to encounter in the text, especially when written in such a casual way. I believe that Greta could have been just as unlikeable without any of the offensive statements. @janandthings has a recent post on her profile where she puts it even better than I could: "when hateful commentary or behavior goes unchecked, that is not satire, that's hate speech."
What I didn't like is a little more complex. So: Greta is an unreliable and unlikeable messy narrator. Historically, I've been a fan of books with messy female protagonists. However, some of the language that Greta uses is pointlessly offensive. Within the first twenty pages, Greta makes an offhand comment where she says that the bees are "Japanesey." Later in the book, she says the r-slur as an insult. Even later, she refers to her face while crying as Chinese. All offhanded. Bi-erasure is also threaded throughout Big Swiss, unexamined. The central relationship in this book is wlw. Greta has recently broken up with a man and Flavia is currently married to a man. And yet, when Greta realizes how attached she is to Flavia and their relationship, she is determined to label herself and Flavia as gay. Even as Flavia disagrees with that choice.
Ultimately, I generally enjoy books with messy and complicated characters. However, I take issue with the use of hateful language to frame the unlikeability of a narrator. It was jarring to encounter in the text, especially when written in such a casual way. I believe that Greta could have been just as unlikeable without any of the offensive statements. @janandthings has a recent post on her profile where she puts it even better than I could: "when hateful commentary or behavior goes unchecked, that is not satire, that's hate speech."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Biphobia, Violence, Suicide, Fatphobia, and Racism
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Drug use, and Stalking
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