SWITZY (2026) - Review

SWITZY
by Emma Cline
My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Available: September 8, 2026

 
As we age, we find more of our family members and friends being diagnosed with dementia. It explains their short-term memory loss and trouble with thinking skills. I chose this book to try to understand why someone would consider euthanasia and what the guidelines are.

FIRST SENTENCE: "It was always nighttime there."

THE STORY: David Hastings, a retired businessman in his 70s, has a final destination. "Switzy" seems less odd when you realize he is heading to Switzerland. Guiding him is Cody, who is his personal assistant on the trip because David's memories are disappearing more and more rapidly. This is his final journey which ends at an assisted dying clinic in Zurich.

WHAT I THOUGHT: This is a devastating novel, beautifully imagined, and written by Emma Cline. The entire story is told through David's diminishing view of the world. It's hard not to respond to David's efforts and confusion with great sadness while reading.

BOTTOM LINE: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED but not for everyone although some readers felt it would work for Book Groups. "Switzy" was longlisted for the 2026 Booker Prize.

DISCLAIMER: A copy of Switzy was provided to me by Random House / NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.