Beartown
Ratings276
Average rating4.3
This was a good book but was also frustrating. The first quarter was just introducing people and the setting. There were so many POV's that it was hard to keep track for awhile. The adults in the book were what was frustrating. Why would anyone ever feel okay with acting the way they did? I know it's just a book, but dang.
This was my first Backman book and I've heard people say that his prose are something to behold. I would wholeheartedly agree that his writing style is beautiful. So credit for him and for the translator as well.
When I started reading this book, I thought it was just going to be a book about hockey. But that's not quite right at all. Hockey is just the backdrop to a much larger story that asks questions about loyalty, tribalism, community, passion, morality, idolization and so on. It's a heart breaking tale in part because of how well written it is, but also because we've all heard this story in similar contexts in real life and I know it will be told countless times in my lifetime.
I can't do justice to the emotional roller coaster I felt during this novel. I was legitimately angry with characters and/or circumstances at points, incredibly frustrated to see how some things unfolded, disappointed in some of the action's characters took, saddened over what some have to overcome, heartbroken over what others have to carry, and laughed along with some jokers.
I have always cherished books that illicit a strong emotional response from me and this novel is the epitome of that. That being said because it deals with rather serious topics, it can be uncomfortable to read at times, so it's hard to throw a blanket recommendation out there. Something each individual will have to investigate on their own.
Frederik Backman is a master of storytelling and is currently one of my favourite authors.
In this book we are introduced to Beartown, a small town in the forest with a passion for hockey. The junior ice hockey team is competing in the national semi-finals and have an opportunity to win, which brings hope of a brighter future to the community.
We are introduced to a different set of characters, each one of them facing their fears and demons. Through their eyes we also learn about the community and, ultimately, humanity.
This book includes difficult topics and felt heavier than other Frederik's books but I loved it.
4.5/5– A beautiful and emotional story trapped inside a book about hockey. I absolutely love where the story of Beartown goes. Like other Backman books, every character is complex and interesting; it's hard to not imagine the residents having their discussions right in front of you, as though you were a fly on the wall. However, Beartown took me a while to complete. I found a few sections of the first half of the book too slow. I'm not a huge sports fan, and I was assured that you didn't have to be interested in hockey to appreciate this book, but there are a lot of passages about hockey– players practicing hockey, competing in hockey games, discussing careers in hockey, raising sponsor money for hockey, fans watching hockey– it's a lot of hockey. “Beartown is a hockey town,” could not be more true, and I appreciate how important the sport is in this fictional town, but it's a place I just know I would not fit in. I was glad to see that much of the conflict of the story involves an issue that I think many people need to reflect on: victim blaming. Just like in so many real-life cases, much of the conflict could be avoided by remaining calm, listening to the victim, and trying to help them heal. Sometimes there isn't enough evidence to prove a victim's case, and that's always going to be a possibility, but no one is helped by making the life of an already suffering person worse through harassment and scare tactics. A passage that will continue to stick with me is: “She will always be this to them now: at best the girl who got raped, at worst the girl who lied. They will never let her be anyone but that. In every room, on every street, in the supermarket and at the rink, she will walk in like an explosive device. They will be scared to touch her, even the ones who believe her, because they don't want to risk getting hit by shrapnel when she detonates. They will back away in silence, turn in a different direction. They will wish that she would just disappear, that she had never been here. Not because they hate her, because they don't, not all of them: they don't all scrawl BITCH on her locker, they don't all rape her, they aren't all evil. But they're all silent. Because that's easier.”I think there is a lot to learn from this situation and it reminds us that we just need to have compassion. People who have experienced trauma are not landmines, they do not need to be avoided at all costs. Just like everyone else, they need to be cared for. I didn't think I would finish this novel, and I certainly didn't think I would read its sequels, but I absolutely plan on doing so now. After this, [b:Anxious People 53799686 Anxious People Fredrik Backman https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1594234890l/53799686.SX50.jpg 67840009], and [b:A Man Called Ove 18774964 A Man Called Ove Fredrik Backman https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1405259930l/18774964.SY75.jpg 21619954], Frederik Backman is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors!
So impactful that I can pardon the odd overwrought moment and the occasional overly-blunt line - if anything is the major flaw here I'd wager that a few moments seem too... simple, I suppose? As if they're being spoon-fed? But that's a pretty small complaint considering that this had me holding back tears a few times
A few other notes:
-A whole lot less about hockey itself than the town's mentality surrounding the sport, which made for a truly interesting read
-Love the characters! Benji, Maya, Amat, and Ana have a very special place in my heart
-Looking forward to books 2 and 3, though I don't enjoy a certain implication...
-The ending is incredible, simply
Bit of a slow start but once it got going I had to keep reading to find out how it ended. The characters were likeable - except for a handful of them. Learned a bit about ice hockey too!
einfach nur ein geniales Buch.
Ich musste zuerst in den Schreibstil reinkommen, am ende habe ich es dann geliebt und kann nicht erwarten mehr von ihm zu lesen
4.25
The writing is soo good and I really enjoyed this book. I love how it comments on society through hockey. The only thing I didn't like about this book are the insults and jokes - they made me too uncomfortable.
Never have I ever read a book where so many aspects can be considered a protagonist. Hockey and Beartown are just as much characters as the people in the story.
The Washington Times is quoted on the cover stating “Packed with wise insights into the human experience,” and this could not be more true. Every single character is deeply examined despite their role in the events that occur throughout the story. For this reason, the book may feel slightly slow in the beginning as we jump from perspec
I can't believe I'm saying this about a contemporary novel, but this is absolutely one of my favorite books of all time. Top 10 if not Top 5.
I did not know what this book was about, other than a small town that loves hockey, and I honestly believe that was the perfect way to go into it. The way Fredrik Backman handled every aspect of this story, from the big moments to the most subtle, is superb.
I can't adequately express my thoughts about this book. For now, I'll just say I loved it and you should read it.
I love how this book explores the double edged nature of loyalty. How such an admirable trait can also cause so much destruction. Backman is one of my favourite authors and this book is another reason why. Looking forward to getting my hands on the sequel.
I don't have words to describe how good this book was. It brings up all the right emotions about a lot of things that need to be talked about.
I've really enjoyed other books by Fredrik Backman and his writing never fails to speak to me. I wasn't super into the plot of this one not being a hockey fan (or sports fan in general), but there were a lot of passages and moments I really liked. I did go into this thinking my heart was going to shatter completely... I think I made it more devastating in my mind than it turned out to be.
Sharing a name with one of the characters in a Fredrik Backman book is a blessing and a curse. What a read.
2.5/5 stars
Dnfed around chapter 24. I was frustrated at the character development of some of the characters.
What happens when one night of secrets pours out into a town that is fierce with competition and loyalties? Where hockey players aren't seen as young men who should be raised well morally, but seen as commodities that will bring money and glory to a dying town?
What a well written and heart-hitting story. My heart was all over the place feeling the full spectrum of emotions. This is the first book I've read by this author and all I can think is what in the world took me so long.
I love Backman. This novel is more plot-driven than character-driven and makes sense they would pick it up for TV. I prefer A Man Called Ove and Anxious People as beautiful deep character studies, but found his delicate treatment of a difficult topic well done. His descriptions of a hockey town really resonated, as did the town people's reactions to the conflict. It felt real.
Having read his character novels first, it disappointed me that some characters weren't richer or deeper but he had a lot of characters to navigate (I couldn't distinguish David from Peter for a lot of the book.)
All of that to say this book is another great Backman novel. He's still my favourite :)
Late one evening toward the end of March, a teenager picked up a double-barreled shotgun, walked into the forest, put the gun to someone else's forehead, and pulled the trigger.This is the story of how we got there.I love reading and I love books. I rarely take them personally, though. Mostly, I forget their contents soon after having read the final page. This is part of why I've started writing reviews in 2019. A few rare and precious books, though, stay with me, unforgettable. One of those is “[b:Beartown 33413128 Beartown (Beartown, #1) Fredrik Backman https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1482108618l/33413128.SY75.jpg 54171514]” by [a:Fredrik Backman 6485178 Fredrik Backman https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1493098924p2/6485178.jpg]. I read it in 2018 and while I've forgotten some details, I vividly remember the story which to this day, five years later, makes me tear up. There's also a very personal aspect to this because I gave this novel as a present to my mother for her 81st birthday, joking that if she had time for one more book, she should read this one. She died three days later.So, this review, which I felt unfit to write at the time, comes five year “late” but it will never be too late for “Beartown” because I still believe that this novel is such a unique* masterpiece that everyone should read it.“Beartown” is a beautifully written novel that captivates the reader with its raw emotional depth and stunning prose. Backman has crafted a masterpiece that explores the complexities of human nature and the power of community, all within the context of a small, remote town where hockey reigns supreme. Don't be discouraged, though: Yes, hockey plays a role in this but “Beartown” is very much not about hockey...At the heart of the story is a group of young hockey players who dream of making it to the big leagues. Their passion for the game is palpable and contagious, and Backman expertly captures the intensity of their training and the thrill of their victories. But beneath the surface, there are darker currents at play, as the town's obsession with hockey and its players leads to a culture of toxic masculinity and entitlement.When one of the team's star players is accused of a heinous crime, the town is torn apart by conflicting emotions and loyalties. Backman masterfully navigates the moral complexities of the situation, exploring themes of loyalty, justice, and forgiveness with nuance and sensitivity.But what makes “Beartown” truly special is its portrayal of community: Backman has created a cast of characters that are richly drawn and deeply flawed, but ultimately bound together by their love for their town and each other. Through their interconnected stories, Backman illustrates the power of community to both heal and harm, and the importance of standing up for what is right, even when it is difficult.One of the most important relationships in “Beartown” is the friendship between Maya and her best friend, Ana. Maya is a strong and determined young woman, with a fierce loyalty to her family and her town. Ana, on the other hand, is more reserved and introspective, but no less passionate about her beliefs.Through Maya's and Ana's friendship, Backman illustrates the importance of empathy and compassion, and the power of human connection to bridge differences and create understanding. Their relationship is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for healing and reconciliation through the strength of our bonds with one another.Another character at the heart of this fantastic novel is Benji, a character who struggles with his identity and his place in the world. He is a talented hockey player but he is not a star on the team. Benji is also grappling with his sexuality and the fear of being rejected by his peers and the community at large. His journey in the novel is both heartbreaking and heartwarming, as he comes to terms with who he is and finds the courage to be true to himself.One of the most touching aspects of the novel is the friendship between Benji and Maya. They have known each other since childhood and have a bond that is deep and unbreakable. Maya accepts Benji for who he is, and their friendship becomes a source of strength and support for both of them. Benji's loyalty to Maya is unwavering, even when he faces pressure from his teammates and others in the community to betray her.Throughout the novel, Benji's story is a reminder of the importance of acceptance and love in a world that can be harsh and unforgiving. Backman handles his character with utmost sensitivity and empathy, and the reader can't help but root for him as Benji navigates his way through the challenges he faces. By the end of the novel, Benji's journey is one of the most powerful and inspiring in the book, and his growth and transformation are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.Another of the novel's standout characters is Peter Andersson, the team's general manager and a former hockey star himself. Peter is a complex and nuanced character, haunted by the mistakes of his past and struggling to balance his loyalty to his team with his responsibility to his family and the town. Backman's portrayal of Peter is both heartbreaking and inspiring.Another amazing character is Kira, Peter's wife, Maya's mother, who is fiercely protective but also a deeply compassionate and empathetic person. Backman's depiction of her journey through grief, anger, and forgiveness is both moving and thought-provoking, challenging readers to examine their own beliefs about justice and mercy.Not only these few characters are brilliantly, empathetically and masterfully portrayed, though, but actually every single character makes sense, is believable and plausible in their respective actions. Not just the “hotshots” matter but everyone, including the local hooligans and the cleaner.Overall, “Beartown” is a truly remarkable novel that deserves all the praise it has received and now I finally added my voice to it to go with the five out of five stars it easily deserves. *: I'm well aware and have read its two sequels (and liked them) but despite their respective successes, personally, I believe “Beartown” should have remained the solitary triumph of literature it is.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam
Certainly didn't have “tearing up over a hockey novel” in my plans for today, but here we are.
Bachman writes regular people beautifully - we all know these people, they might be our relative, and they absolutely inhabit his novels. This is a book about sports but only barely - it's actually a book about what happens when the right thing isn't the popular thing; when the right thing has a cost; when knowing the right thing and doing the right thing are two very different choices. It's a book about choices and consequences, and all those two things entail. Powerful and hard to forget.
Fredrik Backman knows just how to rip my heart out. This was really intense for me, because I didn't just read this book, I LIVED in this book. I know that because several times Matt had to ask me if I was okay, and I was not, because I was busy shaking with rage or sobbing with the weight of all the things we're expected to put up with — as women, as a town, as a community, as a team — and what happens when you can't live with that weight anymore.
I don't even like hockey, but I loved this book. I loved Ramona, and Ana, and Benji for loving so fiercely even when it was against their best interests. The first time Ramona talked about Holger and her watching hockey together before he died, it socked me in the chest and it was all I could do to not start crying at work. And ugh, Backman is so good at describing shame. So so so so good.
An amazing story that keeps you turning pages. It will infuriate you, make you smile, and make you sad. The way the Backman links his characters and seamless intertwines his characters is almost unmatched.
Great read. Revenant plot and a story that all of our children should read!