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A review by lakeofstars
Big Swiss by Jen Beagin
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
i enjoyed the writing style but was iffy with the storytelling at times. i was fascinated with the way everything was described and how strong the characterization was. also a very good use of the unreliable narrator. however, there were a lot of details that could definitely have been cut, and most of the humor fell flat for me (though i usually don't find books funny so it is def more of a me problem).
as an unlikeable character enjoyer, it's always refreshing to see a book with characters that are realistically flawed without being cartoonish or shallow. almost every character is depicted in a negative light at some point, and this is only partly due to the MC's jaded nature. but they are not unlikeable for edginess's sake, rather in a very human way. for example: big swiss herself had an insensitive and problematic view about trauma and those who have it (one that greta shared), and this is clearly due to her own mental issues and how she compartmentalized the horrific things that happened to her. these characters were unhinged and insufferable, but you Will be invested in their stories.
a cw i dont see used often for this book that should be considered is that the mc makes multiple comments that are racist against asians, as well as a biphobic one. none of these are important to the story or really addressed at all, just kinda there to remind us that the narrator is unlikeable and problematic.
as an unlikeable character enjoyer, it's always refreshing to see a book with characters that are realistically flawed without being cartoonish or shallow. almost every character is depicted in a negative light at some point, and this is only partly due to the MC's jaded nature. but they are not unlikeable for edginess's sake, rather in a very human way. for example: big swiss herself had an insensitive and problematic view about trauma and those who have it (one that greta shared), and this is clearly due to her own mental issues and how she compartmentalized the horrific things that happened to her. these characters were unhinged and insufferable, but you Will be invested in their stories.
a cw i dont see used often for this book that should be considered is that the mc makes multiple comments that are racist against asians, as well as a biphobic one. none of these are important to the story or really addressed at all, just kinda there to remind us that the narrator is unlikeable and problematic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Biphobia