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Graphic: Bullying, Rape
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Animal death, Cancer, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Islamophobia, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Alcohol
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Sexism, Sexual assault
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Suicide
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Child abuse
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Rape
Minor: Addiction, Child death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia
Graphic: Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Classism
Graphic: Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Homophobia
It's certainly a well-written (and, dare I say, all too realistic) commentary on toxic masculinity, patriarchy, and misogyny. Although I knew that going in, I guess I didn't know the extent to which these pages would detail the numerous ways to hurt & hate all sorts of people, including but not limited to women. This is so far removed from everything else I've read from Backman – usually his are stories that make me cry, but ultimately have some uplifting or poignant through line. This was not that, and I'd be lying if I said I had a good time reading it.
I appreciate what the author was doing and commenting on. His ability to create a wide cast of characters which each felt incredibly round and substantial is more than commendable. The noxious culture of this remote hockey town pollutes everything and everyone it touches, and it was great to see the town become a character of its own in a sense. I didn't enjoy my experience not because it's a poorly-written book or anything like that, but because it felt like being punched over and over and over and over again with no reprieve. I'm sure that's partly what Backman wanted when he chose to tackle this subject in this manner. In its own way, it's rather effective. It mirrors what living through misogyny is really like: unrelenting ignorance with no end in sight. But I didn't relish spending my free time in such a hostile environment not unlike what I've actually experienced, and although it made it more realistic of an ending (sadly),
All of that to say: my feelings about Beartown are complicated. The writing & craft of it? The author's intent to write a book about toxic masculinity, patriarchy, and misogyny? Easily in the 4-5 star range. My enjoyment? Considerably less so. Boiled down, it's about misaligned expectations and the style of the concept's execution not working for me. I'm glad it has resonated with so many others, but I am unfortunately not in their number.
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Violence, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Child death, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Homophobia, Rape
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Vomit, Murder, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail