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aprilyvonne 's review for:
Beartown
by Fredrik Backman
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Beartown” by Fredrik Backman was an emotional and gut-wrenching read. It’s also an important one when it comes down to the themes it reveals. I still feel emotionally exhausted after reading it. I plan to finish the series eventually; I’m just not sure how quickly I can jump into the next one yet.
“Beartown” might at first glance seem to merely be a hockey story, but it’s so much more than that. It’s about human nature and all the ugliness that it entails such as toxic masculinity, rape culture, discrimination, homophobia, domestic violence, alcoholism, poverty, classism, etc. Yet, somehow, the novel also offers glimpses of love, joy, happiness, pride, friendship, family, community, and standing up for what’s right. That’s what helped me continue reading. I was angry enough I needed answers, but I was anxious the entire time. If it weren’t for those heartwarming moments, I don’t know if I could’ve read it as easily.
Thankfully there are a lot of characters that made the book work, and I’ll carry a special place for Maya, Ana, Amat, and Benji especially when I think back. The tragic elements of the plot was difficult and readers should check with the triggers before pursuing it.
Overall, I’m glad I read the novel and Backman remains one of my favourite authors. I just need a happier book to read next to help repair my poor heart. ♥️📚
“Beartown” by Fredrik Backman was an emotional and gut-wrenching read. It’s also an important one when it comes down to the themes it reveals. I still feel emotionally exhausted after reading it. I plan to finish the series eventually; I’m just not sure how quickly I can jump into the next one yet.
“Beartown” might at first glance seem to merely be a hockey story, but it’s so much more than that. It’s about human nature and all the ugliness that it entails such as toxic masculinity, rape culture, discrimination, homophobia, domestic violence, alcoholism, poverty, classism, etc. Yet, somehow, the novel also offers glimpses of love, joy, happiness, pride, friendship, family, community, and standing up for what’s right. That’s what helped me continue reading. I was angry enough I needed answers, but I was anxious the entire time. If it weren’t for those heartwarming moments, I don’t know if I could’ve read it as easily.
Thankfully there are a lot of characters that made the book work, and I’ll carry a special place for Maya, Ana, Amat, and Benji especially when I think back. The tragic elements of the plot was difficult and readers should check with the triggers before pursuing it.
Overall, I’m glad I read the novel and Backman remains one of my favourite authors. I just need a happier book to read next to help repair my poor heart. ♥️📚
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment