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4.42 AVERAGE
4.42 AVERAGE
emotional
sad
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
I will read every single thing Backman writes. The sequel to Beartown extends the story of small town sports mania and coming of age. Loved it.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I appreciated this book but it just wasn’t as good as beartown. Worth reading if you are a fan of backmans characters and his innate sentimentality but not as good as ove or anxious people for sure.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It took me over a year to pick up the second book in this series, not for a lack of wanting but because I knew I needed to be prepared for the emotions that Backman’s writing was sure to deliver. While I had no idea what this series would hold, it is becoming one of the most memorable reads of my life. This book was about the aftermath of a tragedy in a small town, a group of young hockey players grappling with their masculinity and identity, and about the human nature of of people who are trying to make do in whatever way they can, and the fallout from the hurt and mistakes that occur as a result. Throughout the book, I was thrown between feeling unrelenting hope to being utterly destroyed, one moment relishing in the pride of Beartown to then feeling overwhelmed by the sheer hatred and violence directed at or by characters I love. I read over 300 pages today to finish this because I simply needed to see how these stories all played out, and this complex web of characters and plots and passions and loyalties and betrayals came together beautifully. I will be finishing this series and reading more of Backman’s work, because his prose simply has struck me in a way few authors have, as I was tearing up just over the chapter titles at times. 5/5 stars, a perfect compliment to Beartown and I am excited to finish the series, even if I have to wait and fully digest this part first.
“It’s hard to care about people. Exhausting, in fact, because empathy is a complicated thing. It requires us to accept that everyone else’s lives are also going on the whole time. We have no pause button for when everything gets too much for us to deal with, but then neither does anyone else.”
“It’s hard to care about people. Exhausting, in fact, because empathy is a complicated thing. It requires us to accept that everyone else’s lives are also going on the whole time. We have no pause button for when everything gets too much for us to deal with, but then neither does anyone else.”
emotional
inspiring
sad
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:
Complicated
Another emotional gut-punch. I’m annoyed with Backman for continuing to play the evil game of “this tragic thing definitely happens but it could be any one of these beloved characters we’re focused on right now. I’ll fill you in several pages from now about which part of your heart is actually gonna break.” Screw you man.
Also, you can never convince me to like Ana.
Also, you can never convince me to like Ana.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Alcoholism, Terminal illness
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first. Still good, but I found it confusing at times (all the political subplots) and just overall very sad.
4.5
Im convinced backman was put on this earth to make people suffer
Im convinced backman was put on this earth to make people suffer