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emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Violence
I just can’t get through it. So many characters yet nothing is happening. The assault was not the conflict I was expecting nor is it a good like plot twist the book is just not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicide, Violence
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
In one word: Preachy
In many words: this was a long read. It was a tough read. It took 200 pages to get to the crux of the novel. If I took a drink every time I read “there’s a saying in Beartown” or “___’s father always said” I would be sloshed within an hour of reading this. There’s so much being said and while I should find it touching, I find it nauseating.
I don’t think I would have finished this had it not been for book club. This book did not grab my attention in the first 20, 50, even 100 pages. I think a great book does that, but I was not stirred by this one. The setup took far too long. And there were way too many people to keep track of. I counted more than 20 people’s perspectives! How am I supposed to remember who is who and who is related to who? This is a book you cannot read passively or else you risk forgetting the connections between characters.
I’ll end my review by saying this was not a horrible book. The writing style was good but it lacked in other parts. The whole other factor is that the premise of a hockey town and its residents does not appeal to me. I never let that skew my ratings, as I acknowledge I am not the target audience for all books out there. This book is an important one, but not one that I would widely recommend.
Edit: I’ve knocked it down a star after reading some other ratings and saying aloud “you know what? Yeah! Why DIDNT that female character get a name?!” And nodding my head about the cliches and aphorisms that others noted. Also, zero bear sightings :(
In many words: this was a long read. It was a tough read. It took 200 pages to get to the crux of the novel. If I took a drink every time I read “there’s a saying in Beartown” or “___’s father always said” I would be sloshed within an hour of reading this. There’s so much being said and while I should find it touching, I find it nauseating.
I don’t think I would have finished this had it not been for book club. This book did not grab my attention in the first 20, 50, even 100 pages. I think a great book does that, but I was not stirred by this one. The setup took far too long. And there were way too many people to keep track of. I counted more than 20 people’s perspectives! How am I supposed to remember who is who and who is related to who? This is a book you cannot read passively or else you risk forgetting the connections between characters.
I’ll end my review by saying this was not a horrible book. The writing style was good but it lacked in other parts. The whole other factor is that the premise of a hockey town and its residents does not appeal to me. I never let that skew my ratings, as I acknowledge I am not the target audience for all books out there. This book is an important one, but not one that I would widely recommend.
Edit: I’ve knocked it down a star after reading some other ratings and saying aloud “you know what? Yeah! Why DIDNT that female character get a name?!” And nodding my head about the cliches and aphorisms that others noted. Also, zero bear sightings :(
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Grief
Minor: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Death of parent, Alcohol
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Honestly, I think this book just wasn’t for me. It was well written, and I think it covers some very important topics, but I didn’t find it enjoyable to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Rape
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Violence
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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:
Yes
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Where: Beartown, Sweden
When: Current/contemporary
Thoughts/Reflections: It’s no secret that Fredrik Backman is one of my favorite authors. This may be my favorite of his books. And the hardest to read. A town, a community so wrapped up in a youth sports team that it loses grasp on right and wrong, but can ultimately differentiate between good and evil. Backman masters real, multidimensional characters, all of them relatable despite (or perhaps because of) their flaws. And he keeps it delightfully unpredictable through the final sentence. I loved this, and I can’t wait to see where he goes with parts two and three of the trilogy.
My favorite words:
“Hate can be a deeply stimulating emotion. The world becomes much easier to understand and much less terrifying if you divide everything and everyone into friends and enemies, we and they, good and evil. The easiest way to unite a group isn't through love, because love is hard. It makes demands. Hate is simple.”
“It doesn't take long to persuade each other to stop seeing a person as a person. And when enough people are quiet for long enough, a handful of voices can give the impression that everyone is screaming.”
“Big secrets turn us into small men.”
“Sometimes life doesn't let you choose your battles. Just the company you keep.”
“This town doesn't always know the difference between right and wrong, I'll admit that. But we know the difference between good and evil.”
“but there are a few things that are so good that they manage to shine through the crap. The people, most of all. As tough as the forest, as hard as the ice.”
“Big secrets make small men of us, especially when we're the men others have to keep secrets from.”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Violence
challenging
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence
Moderate: Drug use, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Death of parent
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Violence
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence