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A review by macliffe
Beartown by Fredrik Backman

challenging emotional sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The whole time reading Beartown I was in complete awe of Fredrick Backman’s ability to tap into the human experience. He can say things a in such a poignant way because he says the things we know we shouldn’t think, that are too blunt or too irrational to even admit to ourselves. It’s this depth and this consistency of quality that has me looking for my next Backman book even as I know I will not continue with this series. 
This book was quite the struggle. It thumps on your chest over and over again messages like, “no one can be trusted” “you will always be afraid of the dark” and “all men are evil”. Which makes perfect sense for a book about rape. There were other things like the locker room talk that were hard to wade through at times. I am glad for this realistic treatment, but it was very crude and/or heavy.
I think this is an important book. I would recommend it to certain people. I would not read it again. 
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