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sweetdee27's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bookatarian97's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I remember the ending very differently the first time I read this.
misshockey71's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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
5.0
vegankitkat8's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
c_alexander's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Bullying, Sexual assault, Rape, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Abandonment, Sexism, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, and Grief
Moderate: Suicide, Homophobia, Domestic abuse, Child death, Child abuse, Gun violence, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Racism, and Self harm
nora_sm's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
alyssav20's review against another edition
It was really slow and how they talked about hockey culture felt inauthentic. Didn’t want to get sucked into a series about it
samanthatmiller's review against another edition
3.0
Unpopular opinion, but I wasn’t impressed with this book. Once the story sped up, it was easier for me to continue reading, but I found myself skipping sentences in the beginning because when hockey would be explained, it was so wordy. I did enjoy the ending & the meaning behind the story. I just had a hard time getting there.
ericaswonger's review against another edition
1.0
TLDR: this book is way too long & has a totally disappointing ending.
I think if you removed like 100-200 pages of this book, it could potentially be better.
The idea of it had so much potential but the ending was not satisfying (and also not interesting enough to justify finish out this series)
I understand that the point of drawing out the aftermath of the incident is to make it seem realistic. Cases of rape & sexual assault can take this long to get to & often have the same dissatisfying result.
The only interesting part about this book is the rage of Maya’s parents. That anger towards Kevin was palpable. I know what it feels like to want someone who has abused your loved one to suffer. It would have been more satisfying if he DID suffer.
I am actually pissed that Kevin got to have a somewhat happy ending. Even if he does tell his wife TEN YEARS LATER about what he did to Maya.
Also, none of the “heroes” in this story were actually heroes. I understand it’s supposed to show that people are not black & white but holy shit.
You dispose of evidence & then when you realize you were wrong you cry to the victim?
The parents who let their kids continue playing hockey w a rapist bc “they just want to play hockey!” GET OVER YOURSELF
and lastly DAVID. Imagine bringing a child into this world & turning a blind eye to a RAPIST.
All of the adults in this book are emotionally immature & pissed me off. This book actually made me temporarily hate hockey. & the longer I sit here typing out this review, the less stars I wanna give it. I LOVED A Man Called Ove, but this was a real disappointment. Not sure if I would read another book by Backman after this
I think if you removed like 100-200 pages of this book, it could potentially be better.
The idea of it had so much potential but the ending was not satisfying (and also not interesting enough to justify finish out this series)
I understand that the point of drawing out the aftermath of the incident is to make it seem realistic. Cases of rape & sexual assault can take this long to get to & often have the same dissatisfying result.
The only interesting part about this book is the rage of Maya’s parents. That anger towards Kevin was palpable. I know what it feels like to want someone who has abused your loved one to suffer. It would have been more satisfying if he DID suffer.
I am actually pissed that Kevin got to have a somewhat happy ending. Even if he does tell his wife TEN YEARS LATER about what he did to Maya.
Also, none of the “heroes” in this story were actually heroes. I understand it’s supposed to show that people are not black & white but holy shit.
You dispose of evidence & then when you realize you were wrong you cry to the victim?
The parents who let their kids continue playing hockey w a rapist bc “they just want to play hockey!” GET OVER YOURSELF
and lastly DAVID. Imagine bringing a child into this world & turning a blind eye to a RAPIST.
All of the adults in this book are emotionally immature & pissed me off. This book actually made me temporarily hate hockey. & the longer I sit here typing out this review, the less stars I wanna give it. I LOVED A Man Called Ove, but this was a real disappointment. Not sure if I would read another book by Backman after this
birks_reads_books's review against another edition
emotional
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
5.0