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lfp_reading 's review for:
Beartown
by Fredrik Backman
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was my first Fredrik Backman book and wow, what an experience.
Trust me when I say, you do not need to be interested in ice hockey to read and fall in love with this book. Beartown is a book about ice hockey, yes, but it's also a book about what it is to be human. Every page is dripping with raw emotion, and was written with such tender care.
Backman has a wonderful way of making you feel deeply connected to every one of the huge cast of characters he introduces. Whether they're one of his main characters or a nameless person with whom we spend less than two pages, each and every character is fully realized with their own stories and flaws, working together to bring Beartown to life.
I deliberated giving this 5 stars, but ultimately decided that personally, if there are any questions about whether a book is 5 stars or not, then it's not! The only reason this lost points for me was how long it took me to get hooked—the first 40% or so dragged just a touch. However, this was more than made up for in the second half, which I devoured in one sitting, ending the night staring at the wall, decompressing from everything I'd just endured.
Trust me when I say, you do not need to be interested in ice hockey to read and fall in love with this book. Beartown is a book about ice hockey, yes, but it's also a book about what it is to be human. Every page is dripping with raw emotion, and was written with such tender care.
Backman has a wonderful way of making you feel deeply connected to every one of the huge cast of characters he introduces. Whether they're one of his main characters or a nameless person with whom we spend less than two pages, each and every character is fully realized with their own stories and flaws, working together to bring Beartown to life.
I deliberated giving this 5 stars, but ultimately decided that personally, if there are any questions about whether a book is 5 stars or not, then it's not! The only reason this lost points for me was how long it took me to get hooked—the first 40% or so dragged just a touch. However, this was more than made up for in the second half, which I devoured in one sitting, ending the night staring at the wall, decompressing from everything I'd just endured.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Rape, Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death