Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Emma Cline’s Switzy Explores Dementia and Assisted Death in Zurich
Switzy is a novel about a man named David who has dementia.
He is traveling to Zurich because he plans to choose an assisted death.
Along the way, he is accompanied by his assistant, Cody.
David’s memories become confused, and sometimes he feels frightened or suspicious.
He also thinks about his daughter, grandson, former wife, and an old friend.
The book shows how hard it can be when someone loses control of their memories.
The reviewer found the story very moving and difficult to put down.
It also raises questions about David’s decision and what matters most in life.
Emma Cline’s novel Switzy was longlisted for the International Booker Prize but did not reach the shortlist.
The story follows David Hastings, who has dementia and plans to travel to Zurich for an assisted death.
David travels with his assistant Cody and plans to meet his daughter Rebecca and grandson during a stop in London.
The novel depicts David’s confusion, fear, paranoia, fading memories, and concern for his family.
The reviewer describes the book as sad, terrifying, and funny, and reflects on whether David’s choice is brave or an avoidance of emotion.
- Who
- David Hastings, a man with dementia, and his assistant Cody; the novel is by Emma Cline.
- What
- A review of Switzy, a novel about David’s journey toward an assisted death.
- When
- The novel was longlisted for the International Booker Prize; the article gives no publication date.
- Where
- David is traveling to Zurich, with a stop in London.
- Why
- David plans to end his life through an assisted death before his dementia progresses further.
David’s decision as agency
David’s decision as avoidance
How to interpret his planned assisted death
David’s decision as agency
The reviewer wonders whether David is brave and practical in choosing to end his life before his illness progresses further.
David’s decision as avoidance
The reviewer also wonders whether David is avoiding his emotions, noting that he does not tell anyone what he plans to do.
- Book
- Switzy
- Author
- Emma Cline
- Award recognition
- Longlisted for the International Booker Prize; it did not make the shortlist.
- Central character
- David Hastings, who is described as having Alzheimer’s or dementia, though the illness is not explicitly named in the novel.
- Planned destination
- Zurich, where David plans to have an assisted death.
- Travel companion
- Cody, David’s patient assistant.
- Reviewer’s response
- The reviewer calls the novel sad, terrifying, and funny, and says its final pages made them sob.