Take a photo of a barcode or cover
jennyatesfoley 's review for:
Beartown
by Fredrik Backman
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was an infuriating book to read. It is full of misogyny, and toxic masculinity, and a "boys will be boys" mindset. Boys are taught that violence can solve anything, women only exist for one thing, and consequences don't exist if you're good at hockey.
I do understand that making the reader uncomfortable may be the point of this book, to present a commentary on these very real dynamics that exist in real life. However, I also think that it's possible to write about social issues and also tell a compelling story that is enjoyable and digestible to the reader. Reading is a hobby, and hobbies are meant to be enjoyable, after all.
Also, something about the writing style didn't jibe with me. Maybe it was just lost in translation, I don't know, but I felt it was odd that many characters didn't get names. It was just "the bass player" or "David's girlfriend". And often when the POV changed, the new paragraph would start with "a mother and daughter" or "a boy" instead of just saying the characters name. It just felt clunky and unnecessary to me.
I do understand that making the reader uncomfortable may be the point of this book, to present a commentary on these very real dynamics that exist in real life. However, I also think that it's possible to write about social issues and also tell a compelling story that is enjoyable and digestible to the reader. Reading is a hobby, and hobbies are meant to be enjoyable, after all.
Also, something about the writing style didn't jibe with me. Maybe it was just lost in translation, I don't know, but I felt it was odd that many characters didn't get names. It was just "the bass player" or "David's girlfriend". And often when the POV changed, the new paragraph would start with "a mother and daughter" or "a boy" instead of just saying the characters name. It just felt clunky and unnecessary to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Gaslighting
Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Suicidal thoughts