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dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Lots of trigger warnings on this one.
Us Against You is, like Carrie Soto Is Back, a book about sport that is not about sport.
Something it did well is that although it switches between a whole host of narrators, it is never difficult to keep track of whose perspective we are hearing, and because the narrative is centred more around the town than the individuals, I didn’t find myself just waiting for one or two characters stories to come back around.
This book is a real masterclass in shades of grey, no one is really portrayed in black and white (except for perhaps the rapist who leaves town early on, he doesn’t have any redeeming features).
Us Against You is, like Carrie Soto Is Back, a book about sport that is not about sport.
Something it did well is that although it switches between a whole host of narrators, it is never difficult to keep track of whose perspective we are hearing, and because the narrative is centred more around the town than the individuals, I didn’t find myself just waiting for one or two characters stories to come back around.
This book is a real masterclass in shades of grey, no one is really portrayed in black and white (except for perhaps the rapist who leaves town early on, he doesn’t have any redeeming features).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Homophobia, Suicide, Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Rape
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fredrik Backman is an incredible writer. His emotive writing and stunning characters just grab hold of my emotions and wring them out for all their worth. I haven't felt this big a book hangover since A Little Life. Thank goodness there's a third and it's a chonk!
I read Beartown almost a year ago, and I wasn't sure I'd remember a lot of the detail or character specifics. But it turns out this town and its glorious inhabitants live rent-free in my brain, and combined with Backman brilliantly spinning plot and recap together, I was soon immersed again; possibly more than last time. Now I knew history, I knew conflict, and I knew just how much there is to love in all of these beautiful, broken people.
The first half of the book is very contemplative and deals with some heavy emotion as the town comes to terms with the events of the first book. Upheaval and scandal threaten the future of the hockey club, and everyone is affected. We learn more about The Pack and its history with hockey (my goodness, I love Teemu!) as the club begins to rebuild itself.
The conflict between the teams in Hed and Beartown is incredibly tense at times, which builds throughout the book. The events that lead to the climax at the end are so clever, so intricate and often devastating. But there is genuine kindness littered throughout the town (as well as real moments of humour), and I finished so many chapters weeping at the beauty of it all.
This is such a human story, filled with survival, love and tragedy (often all hand in hand), and I completely adored it.
I read Beartown almost a year ago, and I wasn't sure I'd remember a lot of the detail or character specifics. But it turns out this town and its glorious inhabitants live rent-free in my brain, and combined with Backman brilliantly spinning plot and recap together, I was soon immersed again; possibly more than last time. Now I knew history, I knew conflict, and I knew just how much there is to love in all of these beautiful, broken people.
The first half of the book is very contemplative and deals with some heavy emotion as the town comes to terms with the events of the first book. Upheaval and scandal threaten the future of the hockey club, and everyone is affected. We learn more about The Pack and its history with hockey (my goodness, I love Teemu!) as the club begins to rebuild itself.
The conflict between the teams in Hed and Beartown is incredibly tense at times, which builds throughout the book. The events that lead to the climax at the end are so clever, so intricate and often devastating. But there is genuine kindness littered throughout the town (as well as real moments of humour), and I finished so many chapters weeping at the beauty of it all.
This is such a human story, filled with survival, love and tragedy (often all hand in hand), and I completely adored it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Rape, Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Death of parent
emotional
funny
medium-paced
A good follow up to Beartown, but nothing could ever beat the first book. I still loved this book and being able to follow the same characters throughout their lives. The end with Peter made me chuckle because what makes him think he is qualified?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was hard for me to read at times because of the violence and the knowing that something bad was going to happen!! But I LOVE the characters so I couldn’t put it down
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault, Violence
emotional
reflective
medium-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
I really enjoyed this but felt it didn't have quiet the same impact as Beartown. The storyline involving the conniving politician in particular did not engage me. Apart from that there were so many fascinating and intertwined storylines, - Benji coming to grips with his sexuality and being outed as gay, Maya struggling with the fallout from being raped and trying to protect her parents, Bono and Amat getting to grips with being in the A team while one of them struggled with a family tragedy, Peter trying to balance his love of the club with the needs of his marriage and with manipulative external forces. Just like the previous book Backman showcases the best and worst of people. I know some people dislike his writing style - the philosophical interludes by an all knowing narrator that often feature a high level of foreshadowing. I enjoy them because Its a unique style and it really draws the reader into the action, and highlights the fact that even though our lives may be a world away from small town hockey-obsessed Sweden the people and events are universal. We all are Beartown.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Violence
Moderate: Cancer, Car accident
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Violence
Minor: Rape
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
It’s blown me away a bit less than the first book. I loved spending more time with the characters I loved in Bear Town. Backman is able to continue the story and at the same time tackle new, recognizable trends we might see in our lives, too. Admirably done, because it never feels like a stretch or fan service. The one drawback is just that it didn’t feel like a necessary sequel given the wrap up of the first book in this duology. Which isn’t bad at all - still it’s one of the best sequels I’ve read - but it felt just a bit jarring to re-enter a world that seemed finished and well-rounded.
30/6/2025: reread. Agreed with the initial review. I might have opted for 4/5 stars this time - reading it straight after finishing Beartown highlighted the fact it is repetitive. But had I read it a few months later, I don’t think I would mind so much.
30/6/2025: reread. Agreed with the initial review. I might have opted for 4/5 stars this time - reading it straight after finishing Beartown highlighted the fact it is repetitive. But had I read it a few months later, I don’t think I would mind so much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Mental illness, Transphobia, Violence, Grief, Outing, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicide
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, Death of parent
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Violence, Death of parent