Emma Cline’s third novel, "Switzy," delves into the complex experience of aging with Alzheimer’s disease through the story of David Hastings, a man in his seventies confronting memory loss and the prospect of assisted suicide. Set in the early 21st century, the narrative follows Hastings as he prepares for a planned death with a Dignitas-like organization in Zurich, a choice reflecting his desire for control amid declining mental faculties.
David Hastings is portrayed as a former chief financial officer who spent much of his career exposing corporate fraud but ultimately fell from grace after costly budgeting errors. Now grappling with paranoia and forgetfulness, Hastings observes the imperfections in those around him—suspecting theft and dishonesty—with moments of candor about human flaws emerging during his fragmented recollections. The novel’s structure mimics Hastings’s cognitive state, presenting his thoughts in uneven bursts that highlight his struggle to maintain coherence.
The story also explores Hastings’s strained family relationships. Divorced from his wife, Annabel, and largely alienated from his adult daughter Rebecca, the novel captures the distance that dementia can impose on loved ones. Hastings’s visit to Rebecca in London is marked by unspoken truths; she remains unaware of his terminal plans, focusing instead on his health through articles on gut biome and probiotic treatments.
A pivotal element of Hastings’s journey is his desire to reconcile with a former boarding-school friend, Tom, who lives near Zurich. Their shared past, including a youthful homosexual encounter and a traumatic episode resembling "Lord of the Flies," weighs heavily on Hastings’s conscience. The novel probes themes of regret and suppressed identity as Hastings seeks closure before his death.
"Switzy," longlisted for the Booker Prize, marks a notable departure from Cline’s earlier work by centering on an older male protagonist and tackling themes of memory loss and mortality. The title refers to slang used by a friend of Hastings, Bill Stearns, a flamboyant reformed libertine who provided financial support and transportation for Hastings’s final journey. The novel captures the residue of modern life—forgotten objects, accumulated miles, and unwashed windows—as metaphors for the fragments of memory and life left behind.
While praised for its evocative portrayal of Alzheimer’s and the disjointed nature of Hastings’s consciousness, the novel has drawn some skepticism regarding the medical accuracy of its depiction of memory lapses and cognitive decline. The protagonist’s dismissive attitude toward animals and music, often considered sources of comfort in illness, has also raised questions about character consistency.
Overall, "Switzy" offers a nuanced, if at times challenging, meditation on aging, identity, and the desire for dignity in the face of dementia.