The book surrounds a terrific character study of Sophie Hegel who attends Yale Law School, which many would be proud of and brag, however she does not. She meets her boyfriend while in law school, and he hopes to help her cope with this lack of confidence about her. The novel takes place during the booming early 2001 with the Twin Towers still part of the classic New York Skyline.

The book’s title comes from a lump in Hegel’s throat. Ironically the same night her boyfriend asks her to marry him is the same night she is stricken with the horror that she can barely breath. After this night, we find out that Hegel suffers from a psychosomatic illness Globus Sensate; a condition that makes it difficult to represent her already unconfident self in a sea of trouble.

I really felt connected to the character’s feeling of being an outsider, not being able to control one says or does to appease anyone else. I have never lived in New York City, but I can get the feeling from this novel of what it might feel like. The writing style fits the outsider in a bustling New York well, and I was able to move through the prose with ease. The book read fast until I started to disconnect myself with the main character, I just wanted her to take control, but she did not. However, I believed this matched the condition that the main character was suffering from, I wanted her to do more but somehow, beyond my understanding, she did not. Ironically, the character became tough to swallow .I thought that was the most brilliant point of this novel, that the structure of the novel was creating a feeling in me as the reader that helped to bring me closer to the main character.

The book starts to explore a new area of the American experience, one that began at the highpoint of our economic bliss and ended in the rubble of post 9/11 America. I think that this book can be seen as a brilliant take of what happened to New York on a mental level post 9/11.

Reviewed on 08/23/2011 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Grant Glass

 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.

Reviewed on 11/30/2010 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Deborah Previte

Book Title: Swallow
Author: Tonya Plank
Publisher: Dark Swan Press
ISBN: 9780615280998
Reviewed by Michele Tater for Review The Book

“Gradually, I come to realize that people will readily swallow lies than truth, as if the taste of lies was homey, appetizing: a habit.”
                              -Martha Gellhorn

The above mentioned quote could descript the reason for the affection that plagues Sophie Hegel, the main character in the book “Swallow”, by Tonya Plank. Sophie is a small town girl who went to an ivy league law school, meets prince charming and moves to New York City. Everything in her life appears to be going smoothly, in her opinion, until her boyfriend Stephen pops the question of will you marry me. Since she is hiding her “Arizona” family from her “New York City” family, all will clash together with the upcoming wedding which causes her to panic.

Everything in Sophia’s life becomes too hard to accept or believe without question, protest or anger, which she tend to stifle and not come to grips with. I think as we all get older, we start to inquire about our lives. We analyze our past and how it has impacted the decisions we have made. Sophie’s past including her upbringing and her dysfunctional family: divorced parents, jealous sister, reared its ugly head, or should I say fist, and made it hard to ignore anymore. She tries to deny the existence of or the truth of who she really is. With the love and support of her friends; gay arty friend Thom, fashion suave friend Frances, lawyer friend Sami, Sophie realizes that in life some shallow people will cross your path and that they will try to manipulate how you look at yourself. We all should not allow people to lead us astray and corrupt us into seeing ourselves in a bad light.

With the all changing event of September 11th, Sophie is pushed to make decisions to save her from the fantasy life she thought she had. She begins to see things for what they are and what her goals really are. I think most of America took the time after 9/11 to revalue their lives as well.

All the characters are beautifully woven and integrated in the story which gives the reader the opportunity to relate to them. Each character has an impact, either good, bad or both, on how the main character is shaped or is being molded.

I recommend this book to adult women young and old who would like a good laugh, a good cry and a bunch of good feelings.

Reviewed on 08/27/2010 by ReviewTheBook.com Member michele tater