loved this book, found this review interesting. i’m also very intrigued by the fact that this book is being adapted into a HBO series starring jodie comer, will be interested to see if they can capture the oddness of the book (hopefully will be better than the terrible, also “sapphic therapy crossing the line” show gypsy)
I'm looking forward to the series too. It took me awhile to get into the book (was that your experience too?). It'll be fun to watch how the interpret it, especially with Jodie Comer in the lead--Greta is such a complex character. Absolutely loved her by the end.
I read this book last year without knowing one thing, other than the cover was cool and it was recommended by someone somewhere, so even the premise was a surprise to me. So well executed. I like what you write about having a limit on how many weird-for-weird's sake books you can take. Some of these types of books feel like they were more fun to write than to read. Keep these coming!
Yes, please, more. This was helpful to me--especially your comments on carrying through with a big idea. It bears precisely on a novel I'm writing and only released recently that I'd ditched the big idea 20 pages in, thereby making it an inconsequential lark. So this review was not only interesting but encouraging! And now I'm off to look up the book.
I had just picked up Big Swiss from the library and was slogging through the first 30 pages or so before I read this. So, perfect timing and I am now committed to getting past the slog and watching the characters unfold.
Yes, please more of these reviews-from-a-craft-point-of-view. Anything that makes me think harder while writing (or reading) is welcome.
Absolutely more of these please! I am grappling with a big idea in the manuscript I'm working on so I'd love to hear how others fare. Plus this introduces me to new books. Win-win!
Definitely keep doing these! I really enjoyed BIG SWISS and agreed with your insight, particularly the part about follow through, which Jen Beagin did so well. As you said, the set up can be surreal, but I need/want the human response to it to be real.
I loved this book too, also Vacuum in the Dark. Jen Beagin's character studies have helped me with my writing. Your review is great, particularly reminding me that the big idea must persist to the end, please continue!
Agree, 100% John! Big Swiss had a wait at the library when it first came on my radar, so I started with Pretend I’m Dead and then Vacuuming in the Dark - both about the same character (who is not the protagonist in Big Swiss). Dare I admit I found those two books even wilder than Big Swiss? I had ‘book hangover’ after Vacuuming - I kept thinking about the character and her clients after I’d finished and was reading other books.
Love your thoughts! I'm in the thinking part of the process of kind of a big swing book myself, so why it works/why it doesn't work-style posts are my jam right now.
I would definitely like to see more of these. Knowing things like driving a big idea all the way through to the end is far more effective than waving it off partway through the book is very helpful. If anything, I'm interested in even more detail about how authors achieve certain effects--like, what did Greta do/say/think in the lead-up that makes you feel her over-the-line relationship is perfectly plausible?
I see lots of MSWL's that say things like, "books that make me laugh out loud and plots that keep me up all night reading" but that's not very helpful without understanding what it is about a book that creates those effects.
Great review, but definitely not my kind of book. I am much more a plot and situation type reader. I love great characters and I want them to be interesting and funny, but I'm not into angst.
loved this book, found this review interesting. i’m also very intrigued by the fact that this book is being adapted into a HBO series starring jodie comer, will be interested to see if they can capture the oddness of the book (hopefully will be better than the terrible, also “sapphic therapy crossing the line” show gypsy)
I'm looking forward to the series too. It took me awhile to get into the book (was that your experience too?). It'll be fun to watch how the interpret it, especially with Jodie Comer in the lead--Greta is such a complex character. Absolutely loved her by the end.
Oooh, didn't know about this. Jodi Comer is *perfect* for this role. Couldn't imagine anyone better, really.
please keep doing these - I think the insights we can glean would be great.
I read this book last year without knowing one thing, other than the cover was cool and it was recommended by someone somewhere, so even the premise was a surprise to me. So well executed. I like what you write about having a limit on how many weird-for-weird's sake books you can take. Some of these types of books feel like they were more fun to write than to read. Keep these coming!
Yes, please, more. This was helpful to me--especially your comments on carrying through with a big idea. It bears precisely on a novel I'm writing and only released recently that I'd ditched the big idea 20 pages in, thereby making it an inconsequential lark. So this review was not only interesting but encouraging! And now I'm off to look up the book.
I had just picked up Big Swiss from the library and was slogging through the first 30 pages or so before I read this. So, perfect timing and I am now committed to getting past the slog and watching the characters unfold.
Yes, please more of these reviews-from-a-craft-point-of-view. Anything that makes me think harder while writing (or reading) is welcome.
Absolutely more of these please! I am grappling with a big idea in the manuscript I'm working on so I'd love to hear how others fare. Plus this introduces me to new books. Win-win!
Definitely keep doing these! I really enjoyed BIG SWISS and agreed with your insight, particularly the part about follow through, which Jen Beagin did so well. As you said, the set up can be surreal, but I need/want the human response to it to be real.
I loved this book too, also Vacuum in the Dark. Jen Beagin's character studies have helped me with my writing. Your review is great, particularly reminding me that the big idea must persist to the end, please continue!
Agree, 100% John! Big Swiss had a wait at the library when it first came on my radar, so I started with Pretend I’m Dead and then Vacuuming in the Dark - both about the same character (who is not the protagonist in Big Swiss). Dare I admit I found those two books even wilder than Big Swiss? I had ‘book hangover’ after Vacuuming - I kept thinking about the character and her clients after I’d finished and was reading other books.
Love your thoughts! I'm in the thinking part of the process of kind of a big swing book myself, so why it works/why it doesn't work-style posts are my jam right now.
Yes, I loved this! But even more of a breakdown would be incredible. I love a good case study!
Yes, please! Your inside analyses are always helpful, and I love your concept of taking the Big Swing.
Please, Ma’m, can I have some more?
More, more, more!
More please yesssssss
I would definitely like to see more of these. Knowing things like driving a big idea all the way through to the end is far more effective than waving it off partway through the book is very helpful. If anything, I'm interested in even more detail about how authors achieve certain effects--like, what did Greta do/say/think in the lead-up that makes you feel her over-the-line relationship is perfectly plausible?
I see lots of MSWL's that say things like, "books that make me laugh out loud and plots that keep me up all night reading" but that's not very helpful without understanding what it is about a book that creates those effects.
Great review, but definitely not my kind of book. I am much more a plot and situation type reader. I love great characters and I want them to be interesting and funny, but I'm not into angst.