Mimi's Reviews > Big Swiss

Big Swiss by Jen Beagin
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it was amazing

4.5 stars


I suspect that this is one of those books that will have people either building a shrine (complete with accompanying vagina sculpture), or wishing for the reinstatement of book burnings.

Fortunately, I fall into the former category.

This book is about a lot of things, but mostly about trauma and accountability.

"If everything can be explained by your trauma, then nothing is really your fault, right?"

It pitches a protagonist who has never even remotely processed her traumatic past against a character who believes that trauma shouldn't influence your life at all.

A very interesting theme, explored in sharp, observant writing.
Big Swiss can be kind of gross in its hyper-specificity, with everything, even the sex scenes, dissected under the stylistic microscope (I have never read such detailed descriptions of genitalia before).
But this obsession with detail is exactly what makes this book so great, like a hyper-realistic nightmare which, upon waking, leaves you shaken and confused about what even is reality.

The language is so witty and hilarious, I genuinely laughed out loud a few times, which doesn't usually happen to me (you are correct in that I am indeed no fun at parties).

So yeah, would highly recommend to anyone who likes their deep examinations of dark themes with a big side of weird.
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Reading Progress

July 19, 2022 – Shelved as: to-read (Kindle Edition)
July 19, 2022 – Shelved (Kindle Edition)
June 26, 2023 – Started Reading
June 27, 2023 – Finished Reading
July 4, 2023 – Shelved

Comments Showing 1-20 of 20 (20 new)

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message 1: by Berengaria (new)

Berengaria Great review! Doesn't sound like something for me...but the way you describe it makes me curious.


message 2: by Debbie Y (last edited Jul 04, 2023 06:17AM) (new) - added it

Debbie Y This sounds promising, and anything that can make me laugh is welcome, so I think I’ll add this to my list. Phew, it’s a good thing very few things can gross me out. Great review, Mimi, so well written! :)🖤


Mimi Berengaria wrote: "Great review! Doesn't sound like something for me...but the way you describe it makes me curious."

Thank you, Berengaria :) It is a very divisive book.


Mimi Debbie Y wrote: "This sounds promising, and anything that can make me laugh is welcome, so I think I’ll add this to my list. Phew, it’s a good thing very few things can gross me out. Great review, Mimi, so well wri..."

Thank you so much, Debbie :) I hope you fall into the shrine-building category, should you decide to read it 💕


message 5: by Sharon (new)

Sharon Orlopp Intriguing review!


message 6: by [deleted user] (new)

Love your review <33


John Gilbert Good one Mimi, looking forward to it.


Coco (Semi-Hiatus) This seems like an interesting read. Another book to add to my long list of TBR! lol. Wonderful review, Mimi!


Mimi Sharon wrote: "Intriguing review!"

Thanks, Sharon!


message 10: by Mimi (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mimi Sav wrote: "Love your review <33"

Thank you, Sav :) 💜


message 11: by Mimi (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mimi John wrote: "Good one Mimi, looking forward to it."

Thanks, John, curious to know what you think!


message 12: by Mimi (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mimi Coco wrote: "This seems like an interesting read. Another book to add to my long list of TBR! lol. Wonderful review, Mimi!"

Lol I feel you, Coco, my TBR is never-ending and aver-accumulating. Thank you!


message 13: by Rowan (new)

Rowan Wonderful review, Mimi! Love that it was five stars and made you laugh numerous times! Always good when a book has that effect 😊


message 14: by Mimi (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mimi Rowan wrote: "Wonderful review, Mimi! Love that it was five stars and made you laugh numerous times! Always good when a book has that effect 😊"

Thank you, Rowan! Totally 😃


message 15: by TXGAL1 (new)

TXGAL1 So glad you liked this book, Mimi; terrific review. 🙂


message 16: by Mimi (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mimi TXGAL1 wrote: "So glad you liked this book, Mimi; terrific review. 🙂"

Thank you so much! :)


Lindsay Gresham My thoughts exactly!


message 18: by Mimi (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mimi Lindsay wrote: "My thoughts exactly!"

Yay, so glad you liked it too :)


message 19: by Nick (new) - rated it 4 stars

Nick Meyer Excellent review -wish I’d written it


Nicky Great assessment of this book. You were able to articulate so well what I felt- well done.


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