Great book! At times I could totally relate to the main character. Actually, the entire cast of characters was well done. Yes, I would recommend this book to a friend. ( )

Tanya Plank is a fantastic writer of the young, priviledged, slightly disturbed and disoriented New York professionals. She's the voice of the over-educated, preppie, ivy-leagued-to-the-max, "now what do I do to one-up everyone" generation. She "gets it" and she's telling!! LOL

I thought her author's voice--her book was hilarious and riveting! It helps to know these Harvard-types she writes about, but I think anyone can understand a pompous person when they see or hear one...or read about them. Her characterizations are golden. Sophie, the swallower in question, is a loveable and genuine young woman for whom I immediately took a liking. I was on her side right away and kept by her like a glove to her hand throughout her struggles and humorous/humiliating revelations.

Tanya is right on in her dialog and descriptions; particularly in her scene at the fancy art show with Sophie's fiance's Harvard friend, Alana. Oooo, as slick and slimy as they come in a tightly wrapped ivy package. As well as with Sophie's own would-be friend, Samia, who keeps referencing herself and Sophie as "when you're young," as if to say she is now so mature and beyond it all--and that living and working in New York for even a short time has jaded and matured them like hot house roses....which it may, in fact, have done. At the very least it's caused Sophie to choke, hasn't it?

It's caused Sophie to revisit a childhood dysfunction...a fist-sized ball (FB) that blocks her esophagus and causes her to choke, actually not being able to swallow anything but tiny bits of food, drink or even her own saliva. Sophie is struck again by her swallowing FB shortly after her boyfriend proposes, and prior to a big Public Defender's Office advocacy case that she must orally present before a presumably hostile, multiple Justice panel.

Sophie is diagnosed with a psychological problem called Globus Sensate, but not before it has run amock within the strictly held confines of her fragile life. Sophie's secrets of the pornographer father, the wacky sister who pops in to humiliate and horrify...and the fiance' who can't believe his eyes, ears and understanding about the FB!!!...all make for a fun ride!!

I loved Tanya Plank's book. I loved NYC through the eyes of the Arizona girl and the Yalie mix. I loved the story through the words of a choking, swallowing dysfunctional lawyer!!! LOL What could be better than the image of a poor lawyer who can bearly talk for choking on her words! (with apologies to my sons)

This is a wild and fun romp full of satire, symbolism and insight into the lives of the educationally priviledged and spoiled vs the "real" people. It's a look into the workings of the public defender's life and the big city lawyer's mindset. It's a glance at the young bucks and brave girls who come to Town with all the credentials and hautier but missing some of the heart and raw bones of real life. And, a look at the other young "brave ones" who come hoping to make a difference against some mighty odds that aren't in their favor.

This is a book that's easy to swallow. Though, I have to admit, I suffered with Sophie when she was having problems swallowing. I felt myself closing up. I found myself putting my hand to my throat and getting a smothering feeling and practicing swallowing, myself. That's how good Tanya Plank is at writing!

You have to get this book. Ms Plank is going to be heard from again, and you're going to be listening and loving her!! Just like I do. ( )

Tanya Plank’s Swallow is currently sitting within arm’s reach, discarded after I finished the first 60 pages.

I couldn’t go any further.

But not for the reasons you might think.

Sophie Hegel is a quiet attorney who has arrived in New York City by way of a small Arizona town. Settled in a committed relationship, she’s a Yale Law grad trying to fight the good fight — but often losing, and all because of a curious ailment that seems to strike out of nowhere. Like the night her boyfriend proposes. Without warning, Sophie feels a “fist-like” sensation forming at the base of her throat, rendering her unable to speak, swallow or — in this case — act excited. About, you know, the proposal.

From the book’s description, Sophie is suffering from a psychological condition called “Globus Sensate,” and you know what?

It turns out I’m a hypochondriac.

The more I read Plank’s specific prose about a condition that seems, for all intents and purposes, to be completely in Sophie’s mind, the more I mysteriously felt like my own throat was closing. Call it engaging writing. Call me a lunatic. Whatever you’d like to say, it got to the point that I couldn’t pick up Swallow without — well . . . without feeling like I couldn’t swallow.

The rest of the novel’s description boasts “cast of characters that includes a pornographer father, a sister with a knack for getting knocked up by denizens of the town pen, a painter of male nudes, an eccentric Sing Sing-residing client, a tough-talking fashion maven and a bevy of privileged Manhattan lawyers and judges,” and I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty interesting to me. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t make it that far — which I hate, because I actually had grown to care about Sophie.

This is a great read. Kudos for the author. Sophie is a shy appeals attorney in New York City. She develops what she calls a FB (fist ball) in stressful situations. This feels to her like a fist sized ball in her throat and prevents her from talking, eating and eventually even breathing. This story alternated between narration and conversation making it very easy to follow what happens. I was hooked from page one and could barely lay the book down. When you read the book, you are right there with Sophie in the situations that brought on her stress like her self-possessed boyfriend and her porn movie making father, her mixed up sister and her angry mother. Sophie didn’t fit in with her family. She does have good friends like her very frank and self confident girl friend and her very intuitive gay friend. This is a black comedy but it will not make you depressed. There are moments of situations so funny that you can do nothing but laugh and there are times when you just wanted to hit the person who is hurting Sophie. I don’t want to tell you too much about the story because I do not want to spoil it for you. I am already looking forward to reading Tonya Plank’s next book. I recommend this book for women mostly and especially those who have to struggle with a disability, psychologically, physically or in some other way. ( )

I enjoyed this book far more than I expected. It is a good story about an accompished young woman who need to learn to quit living her life in relation to what others think of her. I really enjoyed reading it. ( )