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A review by aqtbenz
Us Against You by Fredrik Backman
challenging
emotional
sad
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? Yes
4.0
This duology is incredible. It's hard to read at times because Backman is so blunt about humanity, loyalty, and sexism.
I think this book was a really brave choice to write. So often we get the story of a sexual assault, the sexism, the immediate hatred and aftermath. But this book shows the fallout lasts so much longer than we want to believe. The whole town of Beartown continues to be affected by their (often toxic) hockey loyalty, but there is so much going on besides an assault. That was just one spark on this tinder pile. We see more of the town in this book, and we see more of the underlying issues in Beartown and Hed.
These books are incredibly well written, and the audiobooks are really great. Though heavy, would definitely recommend these books.
I think this book was a really brave choice to write. So often we get the story of a sexual assault, the sexism, the immediate hatred and aftermath. But this book shows the fallout lasts so much longer than we want to believe. The whole town of Beartown continues to be affected by their (often toxic) hockey loyalty, but there is so much going on besides an assault. That was just one spark on this tinder pile. We see more of the town in this book, and we see more of the underlying issues in Beartown and Hed.
These books are incredibly well written, and the audiobooks are really great. Though heavy, would definitely recommend these books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Violence, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Death, and Car accident