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A review by znvisser
Us Against You by Fredrik Backman
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Reading this directly after Beartown #1, I once again flew through the pages and enjoyed the story. Simply because I was still immersed in Beartown and its citizens. However, this book didn't hit me as hard as the first part, and I think that's because this sequel shifted much of its focus from characters to plot.
In Beartown #1, a lot of time was taken to construct the characters and their relationships on and off the ice, both when everything is still 'normal' and when it no longer is. This time, that space is given to smaller incidents, whereby the characters are treated as plot devices instead of feeling humans. Previously we had already learned that hockey can't be without politics, and now we were shown more of the politics instead of the training and matches. Consequently, I couldn't get the picture clear of how all the players formed a team on the ice, and how they could still achieve without their best players even showing up at training or during the games. It was treated as if it didn't really matter to the story, while us readers had previously been taught to know better than that.
While we still joined some our favourite characters - Kira, Benji, Amat, Ramona - they felt more distant than they did before. New characters were introduced, attempting to offer an alternative, but we never get as close to them either. So when all incidents pile up and collide towards the end, I didn't feel as invested as I did before: it granted some tears but I was nowhere close to the sobbing that was caused by #1.
Nevertheless, I was involved in the story and curious what would happen next, because the first book made me care enough already and Backman is just a very skilled writer. I just hope that the next sequel coming up brings more of what made me fall in love with Beartown in the first place.
In Beartown #1, a lot of time was taken to construct the characters and their relationships on and off the ice, both when everything is still 'normal' and when it no longer is. This time, that space is given to smaller incidents, whereby the characters are treated as plot devices instead of feeling humans. Previously we had already learned that hockey can't be without politics, and now we were shown more of the politics instead of the training and matches. Consequently, I couldn't get the picture clear of how all the players formed a team on the ice, and how they could still achieve without their best players even showing up at training or during the games. It was treated as if it didn't really matter to the story, while us readers had previously been taught to know better than that.
While we still joined some our favourite characters - Kira, Benji, Amat, Ramona - they felt more distant than they did before. New characters were introduced, attempting to offer an alternative, but we never get as close to them either. So when all incidents pile up and collide towards the end, I didn't feel as invested as I did before: it granted some tears but I was nowhere close to the sobbing that was caused by #1.
Nevertheless, I was involved in the story and curious what would happen next, because the first book made me care enough already and Backman is just a very skilled writer. I just hope that the next sequel coming up brings more of what made me fall in love with Beartown in the first place.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Grief, Homophobia, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Rape