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kiran_thomson's review against another edition
5.0
What a fantastic last 2 chapters. I really enjoyed the ending of this book and seeing how it all works out for each character. I was surprised to find out what happens and looking forward to reading the next 2 books of the series. Lets hope they are just as good.
Totally worth the read and with this ending I wish I finished it sooner.
Totally worth the read and with this ending I wish I finished it sooner.
jrandazzo1's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
kenz_w02's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
charmayneadams's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Heartbreaking
lululem's review against another edition
5.0
backman’s words have a way of hitting me right in the heart. he manages to make me feel in the deepest parts of my soul. i always feel so connected to his books and characters. this book was no exception. he did it again. what a masterpiece.
the way the whole town was introduced and the development of the plot was so well done. i felt like i was living in beartown with them and i understood what drove each character. their personalities were all so distinctive from one another. these character are real to me. and it’s just so realistic how some are so lovable and need to be protected and others are terrible humans that don’t deserve anyones time of day. its such a heartbreaking but honest and amazing story. beautifully written. tearstearstears.
the way the whole town was introduced and the development of the plot was so well done. i felt like i was living in beartown with them and i understood what drove each character. their personalities were all so distinctive from one another. these character are real to me. and it’s just so realistic how some are so lovable and need to be protected and others are terrible humans that don’t deserve anyones time of day. its such a heartbreaking but honest and amazing story. beautifully written. tearstearstears.
carrieannweb's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
stella_star's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-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
I love this book so much.
This book is one of the best books I've read in a long time. Perhaps it is the best. I am shocked by how this author was able to write about a whole town, a million characters and narrators so brilliantly. I have cried at least ten times, from sorrow, happiness, and rage. I don't know if I could love and hate and relate to characters more. This feels real in a way most books cannot achieve. I am horrified to have finished it and desperately want to read it for the first time again.
tabatha_shipley's review against another edition
5.0
What I Didn’t Like:
-Content Warning: This book contains description and discussion of sexual assault, crude jokes, homophobic behavior, and violence. They all are intentionally placed there in order to make the reader think and make the reader confront those things.
-I could see some people having a problem with the short sentence style. In my opinion, it worked, but it is a different style for Backman.
-There is a lot of head jumping as this story is basically about an entire town.
What I Did Like:
-That opening page. OMG what a way to hook people in. Do yourself a favor and check out this first page. It’s a masterclass in how to get the reader's attention.
-The characters. I wasn’t very far into the book before each one of these characters felt real to me. They feel like people I know and they read real. That makes what you know is coming (because of page 1) harder to deal with in the best way.
-Confront all the darkness in people. I love books that are going to jump right into a controversial topic and just swim around in it. This book takes some BIG concepts and just smacks you in the face with them. This book is not about hockey. It’s about a town with people who deal with real issues. It’s about real life.
The Verdict: 5 huge stars. The way Backman makes you think about major topics in this one is amazing. The way he makes you care about the characters is epic. This is a book worth reading.
Side note: This would be a great one to read with a book club because you’re going to want to talk this one out.
-Content Warning: This book contains description and discussion of sexual assault, crude jokes, homophobic behavior, and violence. They all are intentionally placed there in order to make the reader think and make the reader confront those things.
-I could see some people having a problem with the short sentence style. In my opinion, it worked, but it is a different style for Backman.
-There is a lot of head jumping as this story is basically about an entire town.
What I Did Like:
-That opening page. OMG what a way to hook people in. Do yourself a favor and check out this first page. It’s a masterclass in how to get the reader's attention.
-The characters. I wasn’t very far into the book before each one of these characters felt real to me. They feel like people I know and they read real. That makes what you know is coming (because of page 1) harder to deal with in the best way.
-Confront all the darkness in people. I love books that are going to jump right into a controversial topic and just swim around in it. This book takes some BIG concepts and just smacks you in the face with them. This book is not about hockey. It’s about a town with people who deal with real issues. It’s about real life.
The Verdict: 5 huge stars. The way Backman makes you think about major topics in this one is amazing. The way he makes you care about the characters is epic. This is a book worth reading.
Side note: This would be a great one to read with a book club because you’re going to want to talk this one out.
marianabmiller's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0