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Big Swiss
- Narrated by: Carlotta Brentan, Joy Osmanski, Matt Pittenger, Rebecca Lowman, Stephen Graybill
- Length: 11 hrs and 15 mins
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Big Swiss
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Summary
SOON TO BE A MAJOR HBO SERIES STARRING JODIE COMER
Greta liked knowing people's secrets. That wasn't a problem. Until she met Big Swiss.
Big Swiss. That's Greta's nickname for her - she is tall, and she is from Switzerland. Greta can see her now: dressed top to toe in white, that adorable gap between her two front teeth, her penetrating blue eyes. She's a head-turner: including the heads of infants and dogs.
Well that's how Greta imagines seeing her; they haven't actually ever met in person. Nor has Greta actually ever been to Switzerland.
Greta and Big Swiss are not in the same room, or even the same building. Greta is miles away, sitting at a desk in her own house, wearing only headphones, fingerless gloves, a kimono, and legwarmers, transcribing this disembodied voice.
What Greta doesn't know is that she's about to bump into Big Swiss in the local dog park. A new - and not entirely honest - relationship is going to be born.
A relationship that will transform both of their lives...
Critic reviews
"Big Swiss is a dark party; a hilarious romp through new age pop psychology, romantic obsession, sapphic acrobatics, dogs, and the desire to end it all... I delighted in this cynical, sexy, hopeless, hopeful, Hudson Valley jubilee. Come for the bees, stay for the donkeys!" (Melissa Broder)
"This book is such a tonic, it should be available on prescription. All hail the genius of Jen Beagin." (The Bookseller, 'Book of the Month')
"Juicy, salacious and compelling. Trauma shouldn't be this fun." (Sara Pascoe)
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What listeners say about Big Swiss
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Eleanor Harwood Todd
- 15-07-23
Absurd but brilliant in equal measure
I’ve never read a book with such a distinctive narrative voice. It was so funny, sharp and absurd in a way I’ve never read before. It reminded me in places of John Irving’s writing. When I heard it is being adapted by HBO with Jodie Comer, I was not surprised as the role of Big Swiss is perfect for her.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Dorothy
- 29-05-23
Hard work
Really wanted to love this book as it is such a different & interesting idea. Like other reviewers, nearly left it so many times. Sadly, got the most satisfaction from the achievement of listening to the end.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- meredith
- 01-09-23
Best book i’ve heard in a long time
Perfectly laid out , perfectly written , i enjoyed and devoured every single second and now i’m apprehensive to read another book because it won’t compare
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 25-06-23
Beautiful
My native language is not English so I chose this book because the story seemed intriguing and it's not a difficult read.. Or listen. I loved the story with all its jumbles and twists and turns. The storyline is a bit grimm but the end felt right and calming. As some other reviewers already mentioned the story really starts at chapter 7, but I also enjoyed the first 6 chapters as they are a much needed introduction to the main character. A well written story not extraordinary, but a refreshing concept with strong female characters. Would recommend.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Beth
- 14-02-24
Brilliant reading of a brilliant book
Such an excellent, strange and wonderful book. The narration does it justice- very glad I bought this audiobook as well as the hardback.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Ms
- 27-05-23
It does get under your skin
The narration was pretty much perfect and the story, although bewildering at times was rich,meaningful and ultimately uplifting. I loved the bees.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Sophie B
- 01-03-24
Bizarre
I actually thought the 'stream of consciousness' style suited an audiobook quite well. I enjoyed parts of this book I.e. earlier on talking about Om's cases but found the ending just bizarre and overall just unrelatable. I just didn't like, care or connect with any of the characters. Not awful but definitely wouldn't read/listen again.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Sarah
- 05-02-24
Humour, heartache, and the utterly bizarre
In the heart of Hudson, New York, within the rustic walls of a vintage Dutch farmhouse, we meet Greta. Her life revolves around transcribing the intimate sessions of a self-proclaimed sex coach known as Om. But it's Om's enigmatic client, the statuesque and composed 'Big Swiss' from Switzerland, who captivates Greta's every thought. As she listens, Greta becomes enthralled by Big Swiss's voice, her stories, and her stoic approach to her complex past—a stark contrast to Greta's own struggles with her history.
Their worlds collide unexpectedly in the ordinariness of a dog park, igniting an affair fuelled by secrets and identities shrouded in mystery. Greta, adopting a false persona, finds a surreal connection with Big Swiss, who remains oblivious to the true identity of her newfound acquaintance.
"Big Swiss" is a whirlwind of a novel, masterfully blending humour, heartache, and the utterly bizarre. It's a tale that delves deep into the realms of infidelity, mental health, and the societal molds of sexuality, all while maintaining a playful, satirical tone that captivates and amuses. Beagin's characters are a splendid mix of eccentricity and authenticity, engaging in their flaws and relatable in their quest for self-discovery. With a narrative as unpredictable as it is witty, this book is a rollercoaster ride of emotions, offering a fresh, audacious take on contemporary fiction.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 25-05-23
In the end, I really loved it!
I nearly gave up with this book down so many times before chapter 7, but the narration kept me going,.When the story finally got going, it really got going! Funny, sad, quirky, poignant, vicious all in one. Hang in there, it’s a slow burner,
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 19-11-23
Brilliant story read fabulously
Interesting complex story with vivid descriptions of the people and the place. Narration and character voices were excellent. I was gripped throughout and laughed a lot.
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