A review by ktrain3900
Big Swiss by Jen Beagin

dark emotional funny 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

5.0

Strange and strangely captivating, you can never be entirely sure where things are going or what's going to happen next. The characters are primarily selfish, largely unlikable, behave poorly, and intentionally put & keep themselves in untenable situations, yet you're drawn to them, much as Greta is drawn to Big Swiss. And the settings--Hudson, NY and the dilapidated Dutch farm house--are characters, too, as are the dogs, the bees, the donkeys, imperfect and frustrating, but charming. Touching on gender, sexuality, mental health, relationships, contemporary psychology, addiction, obsession, class, and the urban/rural divide, among other things, this was one hell of a ride.
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