Premise
The novel follows Greta, a 45-year-old woman who has recently moved to Hudson, New York. Residing in a centuries-old dilapidated farmhouse with her friend Sabine, Greta finds work transcribing therapy sessions for a local sex therapist named Om. At night, Greta secretly writes letters to her mother, who died by suicide when Greta was a teenager. One of Om's clients, whom Greta refers to as "Big Swiss" for her height and Swiss origins, is a 28-year-old gynecologist who has never had an orgasm. Though she was beaten nearly to death years ago, Big Swiss refuses to define herself by her trauma, which fascinates Greta. While at the dog park one day, Greta meets Big Swiss, whose real name is Flavia, and introduces herself under a fake name. The two decide to become "dog park friends," a relationship which quickly turns sexual despite Flavia being married.Adaptation
''Big Swiss'' has been picked up for a limited television series on HBO. In March 2022, it was announced that Jodie Comer will star in and produce a limited series adaptation of Jen Beagin’s novel ''Big Swiss'' forCover art
The book cover was designed by Jaya Miceli and features a painting by Anna Weyant of a woman falling down a flight of stairs. The painting, titled ''Falling Woman'', sold for US$1.62 million at Sotheby’s in New York.Reception
''Big Swiss'' was positively received by critics, with Bindu Bansinath of ''The Cut'' calling it a "refreshingly anti-trauma-plot novel." ''References
{{Reflist Simon & Schuster books 2023 American novels Novels set in New York (state) 2020s LGBT novels