Reviews with content warning for Sexual harassment - Beartown

Reviews tagging 'Sexual harassment'

Beartown by Fredrik Backman

76 reviews

storieswithannej's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

Beartown started slow for me. I stopped at 30% after THE INCIDENT because it pained me as a woman, to see my kind hurting that much. I needed to breathe for weeks because of that.

When I get back to Beartown, my hands can never put it down. So I tried to stay up late to finish it and failing to do so and instead wrap it up the following morning.

I was wearing a poker face at first when I went in. Good thing I brought some other masks as my expression changed from happy to sad to anger to depressed then anger again, shouting “IDIOT!” with Backman, each one louder than the last. I figured I brought the wrong head gear, or costume, in this matter. I should’ve fit myself in a whole hockey set. Because while the silent battles happen inside the victims’ heads, I want to knock my stick to every adult I pass just to put some sense in their heads. “And you dare call yourselves ‘adults’?!,” I might shout at them. I wish I have my helmet on as I fight with and for Amat inside the cafeteria and outside with Bobo as these kids try to disarm a kid who will always be the strongest warrior in the room even without his armor on. Okay, just second best, because Maya is the first. I long to have my own pucks to write messages for Maya, just to let her know that I care. I CARE SO MUCH that I wish I was there to save her.

I just want to be their friend. Even though it’s a town that stays silent, no “thank yous” or “I’m sorrys” and instead passed as “would you like a drink?” through meaningful eye contacts, I want to do the opposite. I want to hug Ramona and the men in black leather jackets, and repeat what Tails said to her: You are the strongest man in Beartown I know. I want to shout at Maggan Lyt, at the police, at everyone who’s turning a blind eye on what happened. But I think this is how the system works, in most countries, and sadly, in our society today.

I kept musing that maybe there’s a hidden meaning in all this. There’s something to study underneath this. Backman will always have my heart, mind, and soul in chokehold. His books make “souls fly” as he’d phrased. I am always grateful for the way he writes about humanity – with hearts and souls, not just with useless minds. What I love most about his works is the message that it is not too late for us. That there’s still goodness left in this world – if only we know how to “keep the right company.”

Content Warnings

thecnikroute's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

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

4.5

Content Warnings

nataliahl's review

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challenging emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

rhubarbpi3's review

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

So riveting. I have honestly really loved reading this series backwards. At first I was really made at god different Kyra and Peter were portrayed in the beginning but then I realized it was because they hadn’t yet had to deal with all the things that make them who they become. As always I love the writing style and the way that timing works as a narrative device.

Content Warnings

rhearne's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging mysterious sad 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? No

5.0

Content Warnings

audreads100's review against another edition

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dark funny reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

I enjoy Frederik Backman’s ensemble casts and how he uses each of their POVs to move the story along. This book handles some pretty tough topics though so check the trigger warnings.

Content Warnings