A review by brynnalys
Beartown by Fredrik Backman

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

I fell in love with Fredrick Backman’s writing from the first few pages. He gets you in a grip and holds you there, ending every chapter in a way that makes you pause and say “well now I have to keep going” every time you think just one more chapter for now. The story was absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking and outraging at times, and Backman handles difficult, horrible topics and circumstances with such empathy and understanding. I was nervous that the topics which deal with women specifically wouldn’t be understood or written well by a man, but he blew me away, and it is evident that he has researched and discussed these things with real women to gain understanding. The way he blends a dozen character narratives with each other seamlessly had me floored. This is a book that will always have a place in the 5 star shelf for me and I will never forget the way it made me feel.
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