Big Swiss by Jen Beagin Summary

Big Swiss is a darkly humorous novel about Greta, a transcriptionist for a sex therapist who becomes obsessed with one of his clients—a tall, stoic Swiss woman she nicknames "Big Swiss." When Greta engineers a real-life meeting, they begin an intense affair, with Big Swiss unaware that Greta has been listening to her therapy confessions. The novel explores trauma, obsession, identity, and the complexities of desire through Beagin's signature unconventional storytelling.

Jen Beagin is an award-winning author who holds an MFA from the University of California, Irvine, and received a 2017 Whiting Award in fiction. Known for her unconventional and darkly humorous writing style, Beagin draws from her experiences as a former cleaning lady to create authentic, quirky narratives. Her novels, including Pretend I'm Dead, Vacuum in the Dark, and Big Swiss, feature complex characters navigating trauma with sharp wit and unflinching honesty.

Big Swiss is perfect for readers who enjoy darkly comic literary fiction with unconventional protagonists and morally ambiguous situations. Fans of Melissa Broder, Ottessa Moshfegh, or authors who blend humor with psychological depth will appreciate Beagin's fearless approach. The novel appeals to those interested in LGBTQ+ relationships, explorations of trauma and identity, and stories set in quirky small-town America with sharp social commentary about gentrification and modern life.

Big Swiss has been called one of the biggest literary hits of 2023 and represents a breakthrough for Beagin after two critically acclaimed but lesser-known previous novels. Readers praise its brilliantly original premise, hilarious dark humor, and complex exploration of trauma, obsession, and desire. The novel's unique voice, morally complicated characters, and blend of psychological insight with laugh-out-loud moments make it a compelling read for literary fiction enthusiasts seeking something refreshingly unconventional.

Big Swiss examines trauma and how people process painful experiences differently—Big Swiss chooses detachment while Greta remains tortured by her past. The novel explores obsession, identity, deception, and the ethics of hidden knowledge in relationships. Additional themes include the search for authenticity, sapphic desire, small-town dynamics and gentrification in Hudson, New York, and the performance of self in therapy versus real life, all delivered through Beagin's characteristic dark humor.

The relationship between Greta and Big Swiss is built on a foundation of asymmetric knowledge and deception. Greta knows Big Swiss's deepest secrets from transcribing her therapy sessions, while Big Swiss believes they're meeting as strangers. This power imbalance creates tension and moral complexity throughout their intense affair. Despite the deception, their connection allows Greta to feel more authentically herself than ever before, raising questions about truth, intimacy, and whether genuine connection can exist alongside manipulation.

Beagin presents contrasting approaches to trauma through her two protagonists. Big Swiss maintains a "refreshing attitude toward trauma," choosing to remain unattached to her suffering and moving forward stoically. Greta, conversely, continues to be haunted and tortured by her dark history. This juxtaposition explores whether detachment or engagement with past pain is healthier, while Beagin's darkly humorous tone prevents the narrative from becoming heavy-handed, instead treating these serious themes with wit and psychological nuance.

Big Swiss is set in Hudson, New York, where Jen Beagin has lived for over a decade, lending authentic detail to the narrative. Greta lives in an unrenovated 1737 Dutch farmhouse full of bees, reflecting the book's quirky aesthetic. The small-town setting becomes integral to the plot when Greta recognizes Big Swiss's voice in town. Beagin includes sharp commentary on Hudson's gentrification throughout the novel, grounding the unusual romance in real observations about changing communities and social dynamics.

Big Swiss continues the darkly humorous style established in Beagin's previous novels Pretend I'm Dead and Vacuum in the Dark, but represents her commercial breakthrough after those critically acclaimed but lesser-read works. Like her earlier books, Big Swiss features an unconventional female protagonist with a dark past navigating complex relationships. However, Big Swiss introduces a sapphic romance and explores the unique ethical dilemma of hidden knowledge, while maintaining Beagin's signature fearless prose and exploration of trauma, loneliness, and the search for authentic connection.

Greta nicknames her obsession "Big Swiss" because the woman is tall, stoic, and originally from Switzerland. The nickname reflects Greta's voyeuristic relationship with her subject—she knows intimate details about Big Swiss's life while reducing her to physical and national characteristics. The moniker also captures Big Swiss's emotional reserve and imposing presence. Throughout the novel, this nickname serves as a reminder of the power dynamics and objectification underlying their relationship, even as genuine feelings develop between them.

Critics praise Big Swiss as "a dark party; a hilarious romp through new age pop psychology, romantic obsession, sapphic acrobatics, dogs, and the desire to end it all," according to Melissa Broder. Reviewers highlight Beagin's brilliant sentences, original premise, and ability to balance dark humor with psychological depth. The novel's exploration of morally complex situations without judgment resonates with readers. Big Swiss was shortlisted for literary prizes like Beagin's previous work, confirming her status as a fearless voice in contemporary fiction with a unique perspective on trauma and desire.

Jen Beagin revealed she typed Big Swiss with one finger into her phone's Notes app, preferring to write horizontally and finding the lack of negative space less intimidating than a laptop screen. This unconventional method reflects both Beagin's idiosyncratic creative process and perhaps the novel's themes of intimacy and confession—therapy sessions transcribed, secrets revealed through technology. While she acknowledges this isn't a recommended method and causes back problems, it demonstrates how Beagin's unconventional approaches extend beyond her narrative voice to her actual writing practice.