Beartown
By Fredrik Backman
- Release Date: 2017-04-25
- Genre: Literary Fiction
Description
Now an HBO Original Series
“You’ll love this engrossing novel.” —People
Named a Best Book of the Year by LibraryReads, BookBrowse, and Goodreads
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Anxious People, a dazzling and profound novel about a small town with a big dream—and the price required to make it come true.
By the lake in Beartown is an old ice rink, and in that ice rink Kevin, Amat, Benji, and the rest of the town’s junior ice hockey team are 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.
Under that heavy burden, the match becomes 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.
This is a story about a town and a game, but even more about loyalty, commitment, and the responsibilities of friendship; the people we disappoint even though we love them; and the decisions we make every day that come to define us. In this story of a small forest town, Fredrik Backman has found the entire world.
Reviews
Emotional
5By Pretty998I read the entire book in one sitting. The plot is relatable to an extent and you can really feel for the characters.Beartown
1By MEB*Seriously depressing. And the ending isn’t good enough to justify suffering through all those pages of awful. I laughed out loud on every page of A Man Called Ove. This is the exact opposite. It makes you want to cry on every page.Bear town
5By MarianhelnAs I hockey mom this was the most honest depiction I could have imagined. I recognized many of the characters as people I knew. I recognized many of the players… my own son among them. Read this book you will hate it. You will be depressed by it, and in the end you will believe in it and in human nature and love it.Intense and heartbreaking
5By ascerichanThis book kept me awake for many nights, it’s intensity of the incident makes all the emotions so much more realAmazing!
5By JbherreraOne of the best books I have read in a long time.Intense
5By BrendaJTXI thoroughly enjoyed this book and its intensity. I am not a hockey fan but thoroughly enjoyed learning about the sport and the character development was excellent. There are some very serious topics and reading how a small town handles this is real and raw. Immediately getting the next book.Extraordinary Storytelling
5By asapr212What Louise Penny does for Three Pines, Fredrik Backman accomplishes in Beartown - the creation of a community you want to visit with people you want to get to know. The story is excellent, but at the end of the book its the characters you want more of. Looking forward to the rest of the series.Makes my heart and mind sing
5By laurapetsvetThe character development and the way he links the scenes are just amazing.An impactful story
5By Yvette Br.I loved this book. The subject matter was tough and be writing was engaging. I loved a lot of characters and hated a lot of characters. I loved Maya and Ana’s friendship. Maya’s mom was amazing. I truly felt for that entire family. I really showed how favoritism, neglect, a “pack mindset” and power can really corrupt children and adults. I loved everyone who stood up for what was right. The ending was upsetting and sadly realistic. It’s just proof that we as adults have to be better so our kids can be too.Perfect
5By Stasii23Hands down one of the best books I have ever read. I am not a hockey fan either but this book is literally perfect. 5* - can’t recommend it highly enough.Captures the Moment and Inner Spirit of a Town and it’s Residents
4By JerrmanMy second book of Backman’s (the first being the fantastic A Man Called Ove). The writing is clear, the emotions seem incredibly real and heartfelt. You are transported to a remote place, with people who can’t readily express themselves except for their love of hockey. And then, it turns into something entirely different…Awesome Read
5By MNMBTM33So well written. You don't need to be a hockey fan or know anything about hockey to love this book. I could not out it down!Outstanding
5By carocrossLove this writer’s books. A bit skeptical about a book about hockey. But it’s NOT just about hockey. Incredibly complex, simple story about people and community. This writer knows what he’s doing. He doesn’t write formula pablum as some others do. Every book different. And wonderful.My favorite book!!
5By Darla McCutcheonI absolutely loved this book, along with Us Against You. I fell in love with all the characters and truly did not want it to end. This is my bday gift go to and all my friends fall in love too!!Awesome book
5By wdc526I read this book faster than any book I have ever read.....it’s that good!Bear Town
5By 47()rafExcellent read. Love the characters and insight into life as it really is.Awesome!
5By AnthonyHoisingtonA great book! Loved it.Forever in my memory
5By TotohrisSo many lessons to learnBear Town
5By SB in MNExcellent writing! The author makes each character come alive and pulls the reader into each of their worlds and experiences. He addresses many social and moral issues bluntly and fairly. As a former hockey mom and now a hockey grandma, it offers even more insight into the reasons so many communities, parents , and young people give their all and sometimes lose their all because of the game.
