A review by kiranev
Beartown by Fredrik Backman

emotional 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? No

5.0

They're fifteen and seventeen years old, and in ten years' time they'll remember this evening, when all the others were inside having a party, and they stood out here and became friends.

This book was so much more than I was expecting. The characters. The quotes. The suspense. The storyline. All were so great. This is my second Fredrick Backman book and both have been 5 stars for me. The way he writes is so unique and intriguing, and flows so easily. And the voice it portrays!!! Ugh. Amazing. 

The best part about this book was the characters. It’s amazing how Fredrick is able to describe characters in little bits and pieces without using many words, and you still feel like you know all about them. He was able to do this with sooo many characters throughout the book. I feel like even the characters that didn’t play a huge part I knew better than a main character in a romance book for example. I don’t know how he does it but it’s so cool. 

This is also the first book ever which there’s a character with the same name as me, and I’m so happy to share the same name as Kira. What a strong character!!!!! Benji and Ana were also two of my other favorites along with many more, but you’ll just have to read to discover them all. There are really so many people to love in this book (and also many to hate). 

It took me a little bit to get into this book. I tried reading it earlier on in the year but wasn’t in the mood. The beginning is a little slow as he builds up the town and all the characters, but you just have to hold on and enjoy the calm before the storm. The book doesn’t exactly end on a cliffhanger, but just leaves you wanting MORE. And I can’t wait to read the next one.

(you will want to check content warnings however because there are some dark topics covered)
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