Reviews with content warning for Racial slurs - Kleine Stadt der großen Träume

Reviews tagging 'Racial slurs'

Kleine Stadt der großen Träume by Fredrik Backman

50 reviews

what_heather_loves's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

"It's only a game. It only resolves tiny, insignificant things. Such as who gets validation. Who gets listened to. It allocates power and draws boundaries and turns some people into stars and others into spectators. That's all."

I began reading this, aware of the weight of its positive reviews, which may, perhaps unfairly, account for my disappointment in it. Or it may have just been my mood at the time, particularly after having recently read what I expect may be my book of the year (any other book will have to be beyond outstanding to top it). Rivalries, competitiveness, pressure, responsibility and entrenched positions - ice hockey is everything to most residents of Beartown - signify success or failure. This small town in a large Swedish forest, is struggling with unemployment, fallen heroes and desperation to advance their junior ice hockey team's position and reputation. "There are thousands of ways to die in Beartown. Especially on the inside." There are no nuances, only winning or losing and Beartown feels maligned and lesser to the rest of the country's teams: "Bears shit in the woods and everyone shits on Beartown". Full of concise, astute observations about generations of residents, who are carrying a heavy load of responsibilities and pressure, including poverty, racism and grief for a lost child, parent and husband, between them. Those with wealth and status have power and misogyny is rife: there's notably no girls' ice hockey team in Beartown.

I read a translation and the book was written over five years ago, pre-pandemic. I can appreciate the skilful writing and complex characters, but struggled to engage with them and the multiple perspectives, which changes numerous times within chapters. The arrogance and aggression encouraged in the teenage boys in the team made for uncomfortable reading. I felt an understanding of (or interest in) ice hockey and its terms and nuances, which I lack, would have helped, found it and other elements of the storyline more expansive than necessary for the plot. The dramatic event that shocks the town happened late in the plot and was, I felt, not entirely unpredictable, as was most residents' depressing and sometimes threatening responses. A small number of characters are stronger and make positive decisions and there is plenty of nuance in the plot, but overall the tone was miserable and I didn't enjoy reading it, unfortunately.

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namelesssam_'s review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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prairieraven's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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sarahrahrah's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I went into reading this knowing nothing about it, other than having seen lots of praise and recommendations for it. It right away starts the intrigue with the short chapter one and the "this is the story of how we got there," and then goes on to develop the town and characters and explain all the various aspects of living in a "hockey town". Because of that first chapter, I assumed that the "violent act that will leave a young girl traumatized and a town in turmoil" from the back blurb was about someone killing someone else with a shotgun. Even though Backman does a phenomenal job of hinting at what's coming through the character development and locker room culture, I was still unprepared for when

Kevin rapes Maya

and emotionally had a hard time continuing to read after that moment. But all in all it was a fantastic book with lots of interesting themes and thoughts about the human experience wrapped up in an interesting story about a small hockey town.

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amariela02's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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aprilyvonne's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Beartown” by Fredrik Backman was an emotional and gut-wrenching read. It’s also an important one when it comes down to the themes it reveals. I still feel emotionally exhausted after reading it. I plan to finish the series eventually; I’m just not sure how quickly I can jump into the next one yet.

“Beartown” might at first glance seem to merely be a hockey story, but it’s so much more than that. It’s about human nature and all the ugliness that it entails such as toxic masculinity, rape culture, discrimination, homophobia, domestic violence, alcoholism, poverty, classism, etc. Yet, somehow, the novel also offers glimpses of love, joy, happiness, pride, friendship, family, community, and standing up for what’s right. That’s what helped me continue reading. I was angry enough I needed answers, but I was anxious the entire time. If it weren’t for those heartwarming moments, I don’t know if I could’ve read it as easily.

Thankfully there are a lot of characters that made the book work, and I’ll carry a special place for Maya, Ana, Amat, and Benji especially when I think back. The tragic elements of the plot was difficult and readers should check with the triggers before pursuing it.

Overall, I’m glad I read the novel and Backman remains one of my favourite authors. I just need a happier book to read next to help repair my poor heart. ♥️📚

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