Switzy

 

Switzy by Emma Cline
9/8/26; 352 pages
Random House 

Switzy by Emma Cline is an exceptional, very highly recommended literary novel following a man with Alzheimer’s disease on his final destination. This novel has been rightfully longlisted for the 2026 Booker Prize and will be on my list of best books of the year.

"Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

                                                        - Dylan Thomas 

The narrative follows the scattered, thoughts in the mind of David Hastings. He is in his 70's and has amyloid plaques in his brain, the primary markers of Alzheimer’s. David hears this as Amy Lloyd, and hates her. His former boss loaned him his private plane to fly to Switzerland for his assisted death. Traveling with David is his assistant, Cody, who has all the schedules and papers needed. "The boy" keeps track of David. In David's pocket is his notebook, with notes he can no longer read. The two will stopover in London to see David's daughter and meet an estranged friend in France. Then they will meet Anna Gould, called Ghoul by David, for his final destination.

Switzy is an incredible, masterful novel and the writing is absolutely perfect as it captures the interior dialogue in David's mind, as well as the situations he tries to traverse during his final trip. He mishears words, has bursts of anger, loses himself in past memories, can be suspicious of Cody, and forgets... Oh, how he forgets as his mind is unraveling, while at the same time he is trying to remember and unable to grasp what he once had. Is he likeable, no, not at all, nor is he relatable, but he is a sympathetic character because in the final sum of a man's life, death comes to all. 

Switzy is an excellent choice for everyone who appreciates literary novels covering hard topics. Thanks to Random House for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.