A review by calamari
Beartown by Fredrik Backman

challenging dark emotional inspiring tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

fredrik blackman manages to capture the beauty and brokenness of being human in this story. it’s a book about hockey in a small town but it’s not. it’s about the choices we make as individuals, the stories those choices stem from and the ones they leave in their wake. it’s about darkness and pain and injustice, but it’s more about family and loyalty and love. it shows us we are all flawed, biased, selfish, for different reasons at different times, but it shows us that deep down, if we have the courage to look, we may find we have the strength to do what is good and what is right despite all that stands against us. chock full of tears and laughter. my favorite novel.
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