The book “Heidi” by Johanna Spyri tells the story of a young orphan girl sent to live with her gruff grandfather in the Swiss Alps.
As Heidi grows to love the mountains and her simple life there, she brings joy to those around her, including Peter, a goat herder, and Clara, a girl from Frankfurt confined to a wheelchair.
The book paints a vivid picture of Alpine life through Heidi’s adventures and relationships.
“The Judge and His Hangman” by Friedrich Dürrenmatt is a crime novel set in the Swiss countryside. A police detective, Commissioner Bärlach, is investigating the murder of one of his officers. As he uncovers clues, he finds himself confronting an old nemesis.
The story explores themes of justice and morality, all while unraveling the layers of a complex case with surprising twists.
The “The Magic Mountain” by Thomas Mann tells the story of Hans Castorp, a young man who visits his cousin at a Swiss sanatorium in the Alps.
What begins as a short trip stretches into years, as Hans becomes immersed in the lives, ideas, and philosophies of the people around him. The book explores time, illness, and the strange ways the cloistered environment shapes those who live there.
The novel “The Finishing School” by Muriel Spark takes place in a small, exclusive school in Switzerland where a young student named Chris is at work on a novel that attracts significant attention.
His talent stirs jealousy in Rowland, one of the school’s co-directors, whose obsession with Chris grows as the novel progresses. The story explores ambition, rivalry, and the tension between the two characters, set against the backdrop of a quiet yet charged environment.
The novel “The Gustav Sonata” by Rose Tremain explores the lives of Gustav Perle and Anton Zwiebel, two boys growing up in a small Swiss town after World War II. Gustav is quiet and practical, while Anton is a talented but anxious musician.
Their friendship carries complexities shaped by personal struggles, family secrets, and the shadow of history. The story examines themes like loyalty, sacrifice, and the longing for acceptance.
“Belle du Seigneur” by Albert Cohen is a sweeping love story set in Geneva during the 1930s. The novel follows Solal, a high-ranking official at the League of Nations, and Ariane, a young married woman.
Their passionate affair unfolds against the backdrop of political intrigue and societal expectations. The book explores their obsessive relationship, the complexities of desire, and the isolation they face as they retreat from the world to live for each other.
“Doctor Fischer of Geneva or The Bomb Party” by Graham Greene tells the story of Alfred Jones, a modest widower living in Switzerland, who becomes involved with the enigmatic Doctor Fischer.
Fischer, a wealthy and ruthless man, hosts bizarre dinner parties where his guests are subjected to humiliating tests of greed. The book explores how far people will go for money, showing the unsettling dynamics between Fischer and those who orbit him.
The novel “Suspicion” by Friedrich Dürrenmatt follows Inspector Bärlach, who is recovering from surgery when he stumbles upon a sinister mystery. He begins to suspect that a respected doctor might have performed horrific experiments in a Nazi concentration camp.
As Bärlach investigates further, he finds himself facing a dangerous and twisted figure from the past.
Rodney William Whitaker wrote “The Eiger Sanction,” a thriller about an art professor and assassin named Jonathan Hemlock. He is drawn out of retirement to carry out one last mission.
The story takes him to the Swiss Alps, where he joins a mountain-climbing team to identify and eliminate his target. The suspense builds as he scales the Eiger, one of the most dangerous peaks in the world, all while navigating trust and betrayal among the climbers.
“Hotel du Lac” by Anita Brookner follows Edith Hope, a writer who retreats to a quiet Swiss hotel after a personal scandal. The story unfolds among a group of peculiar guests, revealing their quirks and secrets.
Edith herself reflects on her choices and relationships, gradually uncovering the reasons behind her self-imposed exile. The serene Swiss setting creates a stark contrast to the emotional conflicts beneath the surface.
The book “Night Train to Lisbon” by Pascal Mercier follows a Swiss professor named Raimund Gregorius who suddenly abandons his predictable life after a chance encounter.
He becomes obsessed with the writings of a Portuguese author, Amadeu de Prado, and sets off to Lisbon to uncover the man’s mysterious life. As Raimund pieces together fragments of Amadeu’s story, he begins questioning his own choices and the nature of existence.
The journey leads him to meet people who paint a vivid picture of life in Lisbon during the Salazar dictatorship.
The book “Heidi Grows Up” by Charles Tritten continues Heidi’s story as she grows older and faces new adventures. She leaves her beloved mountains to attend school in a distant town, experiencing life away from her Alpine home.
Along the way, she forms lasting friendships and deals with challenges that test her kind heart and strong spirit. The story shows how Heidi stays true to herself while embracing the changes in her life.
Charles Tritten wrote “Heidi’s Children,” a sequel to Johanna Spyri’s “Heidi.” The book follows Heidi as an adult, now married with a family. Her cousin arrives at her home in the Alps, bringing new challenges and changes to their lives.
The story captures the warmth of Heidi’s household and the natural beauty of Switzerland, while also introducing themes of family and personal growth.
Max Frisch wrote “Homo Faber,” a novel about Walter Faber, a Swiss engineer who believes in reason and logic above all else. His life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters events and relationships that challenge his worldview.
As Faber travels through Europe and the Americas, the story touches on themes of fate, identity, and human connection. There is a striking journey through Switzerland that highlights both its beauty and its role in shaping Faber’s inner conflicts.
Henry James wrote “Daisy Miller,” a novella about a young American woman traveling in Switzerland. Daisy meets Frederick Winterbourne in Vevey, and their interactions explore cultural differences and social expectations.
The story captures Daisy’s spirited personality and how society views her behavior, which becomes a key source of tension. Through their meetings and misunderstandings, the book examines themes of individuality and judgment.
“Ich werde hier sein im Sonnenschein und im Schatten” by Christian Kracht imagines an alternate history where Switzerland has become a communist superpower locked in endless war.
The story follows a soldier traveling through bleak landscapes and experiencing the harsh realities of this dystopian world. It’s a dark tale that blends war, ideology, and human survival in a setting that feels both foreign and familiar.
The novel “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” by Ian Fleming takes James Bond to Switzerland, where he investigates a mysterious research institute atop Piz Gloria.
Posing as a genealogy expert, Bond encounters the enigmatic Blofeld, the head of SPECTRE, who is executing a dangerous plan involving biological warfare. Against the snowy Alps backdrop, Bond also meets Tracy, a woman who becomes central to the story and his life.
The tension builds as Bond uncovers Blofeld’s scheme and takes bold action to stop it.
Lisa Tetzner and Kurt Held wrote “Die schwarzen Brüder,” which tells the story of a young boy named Giorgio from a poor Swiss village. He is sold to a chimney sweep in Milan and ends up in harsh and dangerous conditions.
Giorgio joins a group of other chimney sweep boys, who call themselves the Black Brothers, and together they face struggles, friendship, and the fight for a better life.
The book “Faserland” by Christian Kracht follows a young man as he journeys through Germany and Switzerland, reflecting on his life and the emptiness of modern society.
The narrator, who remains unnamed, visits places like Zürich, meeting eccentric characters and attending high-society events. The story captures a sense of alienation and the struggle to find meaning in a materialistic world.
“Anne of Geierstein” by Sir Walter Scott tells the story of two English travelers, a father and son, who find themselves in the Swiss Alps during the late 15th century. They get involved in political intrigues between Switzerland and Burgundy.
The novel features secret councils, hidden identities, and dramatic moments. Anne, the heroine, has mysterious ties to the supernatural, and the book captures the tension of the era with vivid descriptions of Swiss landscapes and medieval conflicts.
The book “Eisenvogel” by Yangzom Brauen tells the story of a Tibetan family that flees their homeland after the Chinese invasion. It follows three generations of women—a Buddhist nun, her daughter, and her granddaughter—and their journey to safety in Switzerland.
The narrative captures their struggles with identity, exile, and adapting to a new life far from home.
Hermann Hesse’s “Klingsor’s Last Summer” follows the life of a middle-aged painter during a heat-filled season in Switzerland. Klingsor, a passionate and troubled artist, spends his days creating vibrant works, reflecting on his life, and battling inner turmoil.
Set against the backdrop of Swiss landscapes, the novel captures his craving for beauty and meaning while facing the weight of mortality and fleeting youth.
Romain Gary wrote “The Ski Bum,” a story about a drifter named Lenny who escapes to the Swiss Alps. Lenny works as a ski instructor but spends his days avoiding responsibility and chasing freedom on the slopes.
The novel explores his internal struggles and the fragile relationships he builds in a picturesque but isolating mountain world.
“Treasures of the Snow” by Patricia St. John is a touching story set in the snowy mountains of Switzerland. It follows Annette, a young girl who harbors anger after a tragic accident involving a boy named Lucien.
Over time, the story shows her journey of forgiveness and healing, intertwined with glimpses of village life and the beauty of the Swiss Alps. The descriptions of the mountains and quiet valleys paint a vivid picture of the setting.
It’s a heartfelt tale about relationships and redemption.
The book “The Fear Index” by Robert Harris is a thriller about a genius physicist turned hedge fund manager, Dr. Alex Hoffmann, who creates an algorithm for predicting financial market movements.
When a mysterious break-in occurs at his Geneva home, his life spirals out of control as secrets surface and paranoia grows. Set against the backdrop of Switzerland’s high-finance world, it weaves suspense and high-stakes drama.
The book “The English Assassin” by Daniel Silva plunges into the world of espionage, as it follows art restorer and spy Gabriel Allon. He is sent to Zurich for what seems like a straightforward assignment but finds the wealthy man he was meant to meet murdered.
This discovery leads him into a dark conspiracy tied to stolen art and hidden crimes from World War II. The story moves through Switzerland’s landscapes, blending intrigue with the shadows of history.