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hanhantap's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, and Rape
Moderate: Gun violence, Pregnancy, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, and Sexism
bookishinnj's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Beartown is a dying town with only one thing going for them, their hockey club and this year is going to be the year their junior ice hockey team puts them back on the map. It's just what the community needs, but this bright light soon has a dark shadow cast over it. The already struggling townsfolk will be come more divided than ever and the one thing that brings them together is about to tear them apart.
This is such a difficult book to review without giving too much away, there's really no middle ground. The first time I tried to read this I struggled and stopped but I know so many who loved it that I knew I had to give it another try and I'm so happy I did. The story tackles some complex and deep rooted issues that many are faced with every day by telling the story through the lives of a group characters who are very different from each other. Backman also does this by using what I found to be a really unique writing style. It's impossible not to immerse yourself in the thoughts, feelings and actions of the characters because they feel like they are people you know. While going in blind was perfect for me, I suggest checking trigger warnings for anyone who may want to steer clear of some heavy topics.
Graphic: Bullying, Racial slurs, Rape, Racism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Alcoholism, Gun violence, Addiction, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexism
samlo28's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Sexism, Death, Xenophobia, Racial slurs, Ableism, Self harm, Rape, Eating disorder, Addiction, Child death, Child abuse, and Gun violence
coybean's review
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Hate crime, Bullying, Grief, Homophobia, Child death, Cursing, Rape, Classism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual violence, Violence, and Xenophobia
Minor: Stalking, Murder, Self harm, Alcoholism, Racial slurs, Eating disorder, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
stepnic's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Rape, Violence, Sexual assault, and Hate crime
Moderate: Fatphobia, Child death, Classism, Eating disorder, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Cursing, Grief, Physical abuse, Racism, Alcoholism, Blood, Body shaming, Death, Addiction, Alcohol, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Gun violence, and Homophobia
Minor: Vomit and Murder
nataliahl's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault and Rape
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual harassment, Violence, and Misogyny
Minor: Domestic abuse, Child death, Alcoholism, Gun violence, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Eating disorder, Suicidal thoughts, Racial slurs, and Drug use
rhearne's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Homophobia, Misogyny, Rape, and Bullying
te_ss_i's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Gaslighting, Rape, Homophobia, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Classism, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Child death, Alcohol, Transphobia, Bullying, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship
kmsander4's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
This town, these people, this story, I know it. I've lived pieces of it and some of it I've even longed for. I've loved the game of hockey for as long as I can remember and I spend days and nights and weekends in freezing cold arenas, cheering until I went hoarse as boys raced around the ice.
I've seen the incredible things sport can do for a small town, and I've seen the kind of monsters the game can hide as well. Backman does such an unbelievably phenomenal job of capturing all of the depth that needs to be shown to properly tell this story, and he does it with a deft, gentle hand.
I could gush forever but all I will say is that it is a must read. For everyone. I can almost guarantee that something inside you will shift.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Homophobia and Bullying
Minor: Racial slurs, Vomit, Violence, Gun violence, and Racism
singalana's review
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
During the course of the story we get to know a cast of characters whose lives revolve around hockey in one way or another. Each of the characters have their own struggles in life, but when one of the players is accused of rape, people will have to decide who to believe and what hockey really means to them.
The story paints a vivid picture of Beartown and all its inhabitants. It does a good job shedding light to the complex motivations people have behind their actions, and also allows the reader to read between the lines when necessary.
At first, the book allows us to get to know the characters and their circumstances. Then a hockey player rapes a girl. The scene isn't described in needless detail, but is impactful nonetheless. When the events are made public, the people of Beartown react.
This book deals with shame, rape culture and culture of silence. It touches on many important topics with gentleness and respect.
The ending surprised me, and I thought it was as satisfying as it could be, considering the circumstances. I think everyone who spends time in testosterone filled environments such as a hockey team would benefit from reading this book.
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Homophobia, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Toxic relationship, and Medical content