Big Swiss by Jen Beagin Summary
Overview of Big Swiss
In "Big Swiss," a sex therapist's transcriptionist becomes obsessed with a client's voice - sparking HBO's interest with Jodie Comer attached. This darkly hilarious sapphic romp made Time's "Must-Read Books of 2023" list. What happens when eavesdropping turns to love?
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Key takeaways
When Voices Become Obsessions
In the quiet town of Hudson, New York, Greta works as a transcriptionist for Om, a sex therapist whose sessions reveal the intimate secrets of strangers. Among these voices, one stands out-a tall, blonde Swiss woman Greta nicknames "Big Swiss." Flavia (her real name) captivates Greta with her low, distinctive voice and her refreshing resistance to therapeutic jargon. Unlike Om's other clients, Big Swiss refuses to identify as a "trauma person" despite having survived a brutal assault years earlier when a man named Keith broke her jaw and cheekbone. Her directness and lack of self-pity draw Greta in, creating an obsession that crosses professional boundaries. Meanwhile, Greta's living situation mirrors her internal chaos-an ancient, crumbling farmhouse with a massive beehive in the kitchen ceiling and a room heated only by a temperamental woodstove. This physical instability perfectly reflects Greta's emotional state: damaged, requiring constant maintenance, and perpetually on the edge of collapse. As she listens to Big Swiss's therapy sessions day after day, the line between professional ethics and personal fascination blurs dangerously, setting up an inevitable collision between her work life and deepest desires.
A Life Built on Shifting Sand
The Fateful Dog Park Encounter
Dangerous Intimacy Begins
When Truth Catches Up
Facing the Wounds Within
Finding Authentic Connection
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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