I'm looking for recommended books that are either about Switzerland or set here - other than guidebooks. I started reading Beyond Chocolate but had to return it, so that is on my list, as is Living and Working in Switzerland. I'm looking for books that enhance my understanding of the country that are not aimed specifically at expats or travelers. For example, when I visited England, I enjoyed reading biographies of Elizabeth the Great, histories of various periods, and Mists of Avalon.

So, what I am looking for now are books about Switzerland - in English - that are either well-written fiction or non-fiction. If non-fiction, I prefer something that isn't so dense that it instantly puts me to sleep. I found the Essential Books thread and will definitely get a copy of 'A Visit From Voltaire', by Dinah Lee Küng. What else do people recommend? Any readable biographies or histories? Is there anything good about the geology, maybe similar to some of John McPhee's books?

Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

living and working is something to buy...the rest you can borrow - ticking along with the swiss 1-3, and there is a new book about living in geneva that might interest you paradiseapparently.com
i read them all - some more boring than others - my favourite (can't remember which one though...) was about the lady that smiled at a girl on a train and the girl asked how she knew she was american...i walk around smiling at people, and really believe that most of them smiling back just cannot be swiss!

The Black Spider, by Jeremias Gotthelf.

Who's Elizabeth the Great, btw?

Can you recommend a book on the history of Switzerland?

Try one of these (all available from Amazon)...

Switzerland - Culture Smart! The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture by Kendall Maycock

Living among the Swiss by Michael Wells Glueck

The Xenophobe's Guide to the Swiss by Paul N. Bilton

Switzerland: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette by Max Oettli ***PUBLICATION DATE NOVEMBER 2009***

Catherine's red-headed stepsister.

sounds like something I might need to read

caz

It part of the 'Culture Shock' series which I have read a couple of and have been very good.

I happen to really like Eveline Hasler as an author. She is Swiss and writes semi-biographical books, often starting from historical fact and then investigating, sometimes extrapolating (but not into wild or off-the-wall areas). I can highly recommend any of her books, but unfortunately, apart from her books for children, only one of her novels has been translated into English: Flying With Wings of Wax: The Story of Emily Kempin-Spyri.

Emily Kempin-Spyri, niece of Johanna Spyri, author of "Heidi", was the first woman in Europe to earn a law degree, from the University of Zurich in 1887 - and was prohibited from practicing law. Kempin emigrated with her family to New York City in 1888, where she established and taught the first law classes for women, but was persuaded to return in 1891 to Zurich, where her professional status remained unchanged. Frustrated and despondent, Kempin ended her life in an asylum.

So... not an easy, relaxing read - but fascinating!

Thanks! I guess I searched on "books" rather than "book" so this one did not show up...

Hi,
I just finished to read 'Paradise (Apparently)' and I really enjoyed it. It's a fun and easy read. I live now for a couple of years here but when reading the story reminded me of my first months...which were..interesting I would say.

Ciao,
Jacopo

'At Home' is a collection of short stories by Franz Hohler - a Swiss writer and performer. FH is well known/celebrated in Switzerland but this is the first time his work has been published in English (released 2009).

Published by Bergli Books. www.bergli.ch

Haven't read it but it is on my list....

Yes, Paradise was really good, made me cry!

"Swiss Watching: Inside Europe's Landlocked Island" by Diddon Bewes was an entertaining read. I bought based on some recommendations here on EF. It has a little of everything: culture, history, politics, economics etc and is a very entertaining read (its not a guidebook, its kinda hard to describe, it contains a lot of personal experience of the author since he moved to switzerland and then background on "why things are the way they are"). Its a recent book being published in 2010 so that's a benefit

I picked up 'Swiss Watching' in my local Payot this weekend, and finished it in one day. I found it an excellent - and entertaining - all round guide/history/context (or whatever it is). It certainly demystified quite a few elements of the Swiss culture for me. In fact, it was so good, I wonder if the author is English Forum regular?

I really enjoyed reading this book and It taught me a lot about 'the swiss way of life' I also realised that I have been doing lots of things very wrong ie, greeting the neighbours by their christian names etc.

I would recommend reading this book, It's written with humour too which is nice.

I totally agree...Swiss Watching is very good!

I have heard one name mentioned but I will not repeat it. If they are a member, they obviously don't want it made public. Everyone is entitled to their privacy on the internet.

The author is a member of the forum, but not a regular poster.

I enjoyed the book until he got onto cheese. I moved onto War of the Worlds and still haven't returned to it.

It started well, though.

I know! Good Queen Blah Blah. I much prefer Mary "When I'm Queen they'll all burn" Tudor.