Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Big Swiss by Jen Beagin

36 reviews

loquaciousleon's review against another edition

challenging reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Personally did not find this book to be funny. Yes, there were maybe two times I genuinely laughed, but I found it to be much more raw. 

This book is a slow plunge into a clear lake that appears refreshingly cold, before you dive in and your breath hitches at the discomfort. 

To be succinct: this book takes the course between precontemplation and preparation. The way Jen Beagin curated these characters with such genuine humanity that I forgot I was reading fiction, and honestly divulges into those difficult stages, is art. 

I personally found my perspective focusing on the truth of how trauma and unhealthy behaviors snow-ball. 

I think it made me uncomfortable because, from an objective/reader's point of view, I was experiencing second-hand ""embarassment"" for lack of better words. 
The awareness of how such trauma operates on internal and external levels, from a healed place, was uncomfortable in the way working out or stretching is.

Utterly: this book was human and I found it to be more compelling to think than to laugh. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Violence, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Stalking, Blood, Toxic relationship, Murder, Rape, and Addiction

jam_03's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

The themes of this book are so fun to read and very unique. I did enjoy reading the transcripts that Greta was writing. 

I didn't feel very connected to any of the characters, except Piñon, which made it harder for me to want to keep reading. Maybe it just went over my head but I think it's overhyped. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Domestic abuse, Grief, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent

Moderate: Animal cruelty

Minor: Addiction

ella_bibliophile_98's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Loved this book - favourite of this year - a great mix of
Humour, emotion, wit and beautiful descriptions - I liked the mix of transcription dialogue and real dialogue, the characterisation felt very natural and the story was a good pace, it didn’t drag too much. 

I like how it explored the complicated nature of the human experience and the need to feel wanted and loved, and how our trauma follows us even when we don’t want it to, and the barriers we put up to protect ourselves. The way it dealt with sexuality, age, mental illness and self improvement was interesting too. 

I liked the quirkiness of the town and the characters 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Animal cruelty, Stalking, Mental illness, Murder, Violence, and Domestic abuse

pestosito's review against another edition

dark emotional funny fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Medical content, Suicide, Death of parent, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Blood

Moderate: Stalking

alexiscrocker's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I picked up this book knowing nothing but what was written on the back blurb. The concept was fascinating, the contents surprising, and the ending beautiful. 

All of the characters are morally grey and deeply flawed, but that only makes them that much more charming. For those who don’t like Greta, I ask you: how can you not like a woman who daydreams of dipping her tampon in a man’s tea? 

Deeply problematic, deeply human. Much like Joe from You, I can’t help but root for her whilst also condemning her behavior. 

I had no idea where this book was headed -  I just had to keep reading, and it was a delightfully dark, funny read -  maggots, bees, donkeys and all. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide and Domestic abuse

mconant's review against another edition

emotional hopeful

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I liked this more than I expected!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, and Violence

Moderate: Addiction and Drug abuse

cigarete_smoke's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Animal cruelty, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Drug use, and Violence

Moderate: Gun violence, Self harm, and Drug abuse

Minor: Eating disorder, Vomit, and Adult/minor relationship

charlereads's review against another edition

dark funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Witty and clever. Dark. Little plot.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Blood, Body horror, Death of parent, Infidelity, Death, Drug use, Grief, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Violence, Vomit, Gore, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship

tjasmz's review against another edition

dark funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Cursing, Medical trauma, Grief, Misogyny, Drug abuse, Self harm, Stalking, Blood, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping

hzwinge's review

dark emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Sexual assault