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katturkey's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.75
Loved the different perspectives and the setting.
Benji 💖
Benji 💖
throughthechapters's review against another edition
5.0
I will start off by saying it is extremely slow to create all of the character building. There are two main topics throughout the whole story; hockey and rape. Some points I did feel like it was dragging and other parts I was like wait, what just happened?! And had to go back. The ending even had me question what was happening how some of it bounced between different time periods. However, I got so choked up at some moments that were written so well. And all of the character building was so worth it. I believe this is a series and am looking forward to seeing how it continues in book 2. If you can handle a slow story with sensitive subjects and hockey, I would absolutely recommend this book.
sheeptracks's review against another edition
5.0
Simply put--loved, loved, LOVED it! Read it! I have no other words right now.
dblakolmer's review against another edition
3.0
Was just OK. Was expecting more. Too much hockey talk...
elleninkansas's review against another edition
4.0
A beautifully written novel that explores both the worst and the best that human nature has to offer, told through the eyes of people in a forest town that lives and breathes ice hockey. The town's economy is dying, and the townspeople have pinned all their hopes on the junior team; winning the championship would bring some prosperity and breathe life back into the town. The novel tugs hard at the emotions and hits you over the head with the main theme: the hockey players are seen more as products than people – a means to an end. But they are treated like kings as long as they are winning, and they can do no wrong. The woman who read the audiobook did an excellent job. I'm looking forward to continuing on with the story in Beartown #2.
honeyville's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! I have loved all of the books from Fredrik Backman, but Beartown is unforgettable. This story was so moving, so heart wrenching and so so so good. Beartown is a story about a small town and its obsession with hockey. The Beartown hockey program is such an integral part of this community that the highly successful team provides a source of hope and identity, but its star player makes a choice that will divide the community and threaten to tear apart the hockey program itself. Bachman tackles so many important topics with subtlety and authentic emotion. The characters are so well developed and the story is compelling but the writing itself is what makes this book so special. Bachman has a gift for using very few words to make a big impact. This book is the kind of story that will keep you awake reading far into the night. Yes this is a story about hockey, but it is so much more than that. Bachman shows us the best and worst part about sports and it impact upon all of us. I highly recommend this book, you don't need to love hockey to love this book. Put Beartown on your to-read list.
nevadajesse's review against another edition
5.0
At first I almost didn’t finish it because it was such a slow burn. I was about 4 hours into it when it finally picked up, and I’m so glad I stuck with it. Those first four hours too were essential because the author’s world building and attention to detail make this story truly special. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.
shannoncary's review against another edition
3.0
This book manages to be a page turner even though I think the writing is pretty clumsy. There are a lot of cliches and sometimes the characters are pretty flat. But the plotting is good, and there are plenty of characters to root for. I just wish there had been a lot of editing and maybe more depth to some of the characters, instead of introducing so many different characters.
zwrobertson's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Strong writing that does well to juggle dozens of distinct characters. An emotional, layered story that touches on seemingly every intimate human (and inhuman) attribute. Easy to get drawn in and love the characters, despite a few too many truisms.