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Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Grief
Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Racism, Blood, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Rape
Long rant coming up:
First half was a 1 star tbh. If you enjoy Facebook motivational quotes on random nature backgrounds this might be for you. I hated the writing style, eyerolled at every pseudo-deep chapter conclusion that were like every fucking page after we were introduced to yet another cliche character who will probably be forgotten for the rest of the book. Not that I could tell the hordes of icehockey playing teenage boys apart but whatever. The author writes like he doesn't trust his reader to understand a single word if he doesn't drive it home with several repetitions and idiotic meaningless punchlines a la "it doesn't take much to let go of your children - it just takes everything", "she doesn't tell him that she's proud of him - he doesn't tell her he already knows" and so on. Also in case you didn't get it by the fiftieth time: ICEHOCKEY IS LIKE SUPER IMPORTANT IN BEARTOWN!
The only story I was actually invested in were Benji and the bassist and the only reason this book gets two stars from me is the handling of the rape. The way this affects the victim and the way the community deals with it (or not) is written in a sensitive and imo realistic way, which not that many authors get right.
Listened on Spotify (german translation) for the popsugar reading challenge "a book about about an athlete/sport".
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Homophobia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
Minor: Death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Death of parent
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Homophobia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Drug use, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Child death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Suicide, Violence, Islamophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Outing, Toxic friendship, Classism
Graphic: Homophobia, Rape, Sexism, Violence, Toxic friendship, Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Suicidal thoughts
During the course of the story we get to know a cast of characters whose lives revolve around hockey in one way or another. Each of the characters have their own struggles in life, but when one of the players is accused of rape, people will have to decide who to believe and what hockey really means to them.
The story paints a vivid picture of Beartown and all its inhabitants. It does a good job shedding light to the complex motivations people have behind their actions, and also allows the reader to read between the lines when necessary.
At first, the book allows us to get to know the characters and their circumstances. Then a hockey player rapes a girl. The scene isn't described in needless detail, but is impactful nonetheless. When the events are made public, the people of Beartown react.
This book deals with shame, rape culture and culture of silence. It touches on many important topics with gentleness and respect.
The ending surprised me, and I thought it was as satisfying as it could be, considering the circumstances. I think everyone who spends time in testosterone filled environments such as a hockey team would benefit from reading this book.
Minor: Addiction, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Classism
Graphic: Rape, Sexism
Moderate: Child death
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Rape
Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse