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jadedjill's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Child death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Suicide, Violence, Islamophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Classism
singalana's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
During the course of the story we get to know a cast of characters whose lives revolve around hockey in one way or another. Each of the characters have their own struggles in life, but when one of the players is accused of rape, people will have to decide who to believe and what hockey really means to them.
The story paints a vivid picture of Beartown and all its inhabitants. It does a good job shedding light to the complex motivations people have behind their actions, and also allows the reader to read between the lines when necessary.
At first, the book allows us to get to know the characters and their circumstances. Then a hockey player rapes a girl. The scene isn't described in needless detail, but is impactful nonetheless. When the events are made public, the people of Beartown react.
This book deals with shame, rape culture and culture of silence. It touches on many important topics with gentleness and respect.
The ending surprised me, and I thought it was as satisfying as it could be, considering the circumstances. I think everyone who spends time in testosterone filled environments such as a hockey team would benefit from reading this book.
Minor: Addiction, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
amandalawrance's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, and Rape
Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse
melissa_b_67's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Stalking, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent
kananineko's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia
nalaban's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Suicide, and Death of parent
epaige37's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I didn’t expect to enjoy a book all about hockey and the boys who play, but Backman writes in such an interesting way that I did. I liked how he showed characters’ inner thoughts and their flaws. I was angry and frustrated while reading this book not appreciate the conversation surrounding sexual assault within it. This is a huge plot point and theme of this book so take care when considering to read! While tough to hear, this book did a good job of articulating how survivors of sexual assault are often dismissed and villainized. I loved the character development especially of some of the adults, parent-child relationships, and Benji and Amat. This is definitely a character and relationship focused book!! The ending scenes of this book left much ambiguity and I’m left wanting more answers. Would love to discuss if you have read this about what you think happened in a few places! I will definitely be pursuing more Backman.
Graphic: Homophobia, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, and Classism
Minor: Addiction, Child abuse, Drug use, Death of parent, and Alcohol
kassidyreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Rape, and Violence
Moderate: Body shaming, Child death, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
Minor: Racism, Self harm, Suicide, and Death of parent
edgaranjapoe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Animal death, Cancer, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Islamophobia, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Dysphoria
aleroness's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Death of parent