Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Beartown by Fredrik Backman

442 reviews

bondenj's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Bullying, Violence, and Suicidal thoughts

taylorparrott99's review against another edition

emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Addiction, Pregnancy, Racism, Violence, Alcohol, Child abuse, Rape, Gun violence, Homophobia, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, and Grief

jeeprn's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The characters in this book really come to life in their descriptions. Backman does a phenomenal job of describing the characters and scenery in this book to a point where you feel like you’re not just reading but actually have a visual front row seat to the story. This book almost shadows the real life Brock Turner scenario.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence

Moderate: Rape, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, and Violence

Minor: Child death

aepop12's review against another edition

emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault and Violence

Minor: Gun violence

liaminator18's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual assault, Violence, and Bullying

"Björnstad" (Beartown) by Fredrik Backman is a gripping and emotionally charged story that revolves around a small town's junior ice hockey team and the life-changing events that unfold around it. Set in a close-knit community, the book explores the intense pressures of sports, the complexities of human relationships, and the moral dilemmas faced by its residents. The audiobook is brilliantly narrated by Marin Ireland, who captures the depth and nuances of each character, making the story even more compelling. With its medium pace, "Björnstad" offers a mix of plot and character-driven elements, ensuring that listeners remain engaged from start to finish. The character development is strong, and despite their flaws, the characters are deeply loveable and relatable. This audiobook is perfect for those looking for a story that is adventurous, challenging, dark, emotional, inspiring, mysterious, reflective, sad, and tense.

emi_momo's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Rape, Gaslighting, and Violence

Moderate: Drug use, Child death, Bullying, Sexism, Gun violence, and Cancer

Minor: Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, and Homophobia

carlymb's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Rape, and Sexual assault

sizzlesteaks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Rape

Moderate: Violence, Racial slurs, and Homophobia

jennireadsmaybe's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

Fredrik Backman is immensely talented. Everything about his writing style is consumable, but it's also haunting. I don't know if there's another author I've read from that would have been able to write something like Beartown. 

Beartown is traumatizing. Backman doesn't pull his punches. You know something horrible is going to happen. There were times when I was reading that I would step away to do things and I would be sick to my stomach. It's brutal. 

Not only is Backman a talented writer, he is phenomenal at character work and setting. All of the characters read like someone that could live down the street. I was in the run down, small, forest town the whole time. I wouldn't go so far as to recommend this to anyone unless they are looking for a horrific experience. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence

Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Child death, Child abuse, and Alcoholism

kerryem's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Violence

Moderate: Misogyny and Suicidal thoughts