Reviews with content warning for Sexism - Beartown

It took a while for me to get really interested, but once the first match begins, I was drawn into the story. I liked the narration style, constantly shifting to focus on different characters. One particular moment in the first act—a tasteless joke made in a locker room—told me everything I needed to know about the big reveal (the incident) halfway through the story, and tipped me off on the rest of the book. While the story was compelling, I was constantly taken out of it by the dialogue. So many lines were too…scripted. They didn’t speak like real people, too polished and sage and poetic. That style works beautifully for in Backman’s prose describing the town, but it felt unrealistic and stilted in the dialogue. The ending also felt a little too corny—not everyone has a happy ending, but they all have grand, symbolic moments or conversations that wrap up their story in a kind of clumsy bow. The flowery writing style didn’t help matters here.

Content Warnings

gillianalice's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad 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? Yes

4.75

I have...so many thoughts. This was an uncomfortable book in so many ways, from reading the details of Maya's rape to the awful yet expected consequences of her reporting Kevin to the police. Backman handled the entire situation so well. He could have easily glossed over it or reveled in it as so many authors are wont to do, but instead he presented it as simple truth. This is what happens when someone beloved commits an atrocity. Everyone just assumes he didn't do it, because even the idea that he might have is too much to bear. It's easier to assume that girl is lying.

Final thoughts:

Ramona is the best.

Maggan Lit can go jump off a cliff.

Benji is the goodest boy and it breaks my heart that he dies apparently.

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bookswithlauren's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-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

5.0

Content Warnings

catorureads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.75

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