Review: Beartown
Title: BeartownSeries: Beartown #1
Genre(s): Contemporary, LGBTQ+
Pages: 432
Source: Library
For: Book Club
Rating:
Sexual Content:
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Goodreads Synopsis
People say Beartown is finished. A tiny community nestled deep in the forest, it is slowly losing ground to the ever encroaching trees. But down by the lake stands an old ice rink, built generations ago by the working men who founded this town. Their junior ice hockey team is about to compete in the national semi-finals, and they actually have a shot at winning. All the hopes and dreams of this place now rest on the shoulders of a handful of teenage boys. Being responsible for the hopes of an entire town is a heavy burden, and the semi-final match is the catalyst for a violent act that will leave a young girl traumatized and a town in turmoil. Accusations are made and, like ripples on a pond, they travel through all of Beartown, leaving no resident unaffected.
My Thoughts
My IRL book club chose to read BEARTOWN for our March book and it’s my second Fredrik Backman book. I’m glad we chose to read it because it’s a thought-provoking story that deals with hard subjects like toxic masculinity, winning at all costs, and consent.
BEARTOWN was a very hard emotional read. The story’s sad but hopeful, and extremely maddening. At times, it was difficult to keep reading. Even though my heart hurts, it was worth the pain and sorrow. I absolutely had no idea that a book about hockey (but not really) would make me feel the way I did.
Humanity has many shortcomings, but none is stronger than pride.
If you’ve ever read one of Backman’s books, then you know his stories are as good as they are because of his characters. Not only is he a master at writing emotionally charged stories, he’s also a master at writing a whole cast of round, complicated characters. The characters in BEARTOWN are no exception. These characters were so easy to connect with because they felt like real people with real lives.
BEARTOWN is the first book in a trilogy. I totally get why Backman wrote another two novels about these characters. The story’s so complex that this first installment could only focus on so much. Backman did a great job of picking and choosing what’s most important so much so that I don’t need to rush and read US AGAINST YOU and THE WINNERS.
Ever since I finished reading BEARTOWN, I’ve been trying to decide if I want to give it 4 or 5 stars. I’m honestly still torn about it. For now, I’ve given it 4.5 stars, but I may change it to 5.
Have you read BEARTOWN? If so, what did you think about it?
Trigger Warning
There is a trigger warning for suicide, suicidal ideation, rape, loss of a parent, loss of a child, bullying, and abuse.
I read Beartown and thought it was excellent. My book group had mixed feelings, but I think some of them couldn’t get past the hockey (which to me was secondary). The rest of us loved it.
I have read the second one which is also very good. And at some point, I’ll read #3.
I think my book club will have mixed feelings too. It will definitely be an interesting discussion tonight.
I read ” A Man Called Ove” for Book Club and didn’t like it that much, so I haven’t tried any of his other books. I have heard positive reviews of this book though. Do you have to understand hockey to enjoy it? 🙂
I haven’t read A MAN CALLED OVE yet. I did love the movie with Tom Hanks, though, so I suspect I’ll love the book too.
You don’t need to know anything about hockey. I’m very sports illiterate, lol.
I tried reading Anxious People by him (on audio) and I just didn’t click with it. This one sounds like something I’d like more so I might give it a go.
ANXIOUS PEOPLE is the other Backman that I’ve read. I adored it, but I get that it’s not for everyone. I hope you do like this one more. 😀
Sounds like a challenging but very good read. I’m happy to hear you enjoyed it. Will you continue the rest of the series?
Thanks for a great review, Jenni!
Yes, it was definitely emotionally challenging to read. Worth it, though. I think I will read the rest of the series as some point, but not right now.
“I absolutely had no idea that a book about hockey (but not really) would make me feel the way I did.”
I’m like you…”very sports illitterate”…so I guess this is a book that I could read because the hockey part is not the point…
Exactly. The story’s about hockey, but not really. It’s about human nature and how sports, finances, a small town, etc. can create chaos.
While this author is popular, they don’t really grab me from the synopsis. Although I do think maybe I’d watch the movie made from the one book. Glad you enjoyed this. Great review!
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2024/03/27/arc-review-hearts-still-beating-by-brooke-archer/
I get it. I had no desire to read Backman. I did read ANXIOUS PEOPLE for a reading challenge, though, and I adored it. I’m glad the reading challenge pushed me out of my comfort zone. 😀