Reviews

The Scandal by Fredrik Backman

daisyy_reads's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

dor's review against another edition

4.0

It's very good. Tad repetitive in its lean to portentous, and I don't feel compelled to read the second, but Blackman os a great character writer.

coop_j's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

staceyd416's review against another edition

5.0

Fredrik Backman has such a talent at character development. I kept hearing about how wonderful this book was but had no interest in it's hockey theme. I read it because I joined a new book club and didn't want to miss reading the first book. The beginning was a bit slow but I am happy to have pressed on! This book covered everything, racism, homosexuality, bullying and rape. So many characters and I loved or loved to hate each! I would highly recommend this book!!

aleciatalbot's review against another edition

5.0

I really loved this book. At times it was really hard to read, and I cringed and I cried, but it was an incredibly powerful read.

I love Fredrik Backman’s writing. If you aren’t familiar, it’s usually a lot of third person perspective changes, with short passages on each character to move the story along. I loved Anxious People, so I wasn’t surprised that Beartown was also enjoyable for me.

As someone from a small town that cared way too much about sports and the athletes that played them, some parts of this hit a little too close to home. It’s a hockey book, sure, but there are many deep and dark themes explored in this book. Check trigger warnings.

One of the things I love best about Backman’s writing is his ability to make us feel like we know the characters inside and out. It takes a little while to get going in the beginning, but every single person introduced plays an important part in the story.

I loved this one a lot, and I look forward to continuing the series!

cburand's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

Amazing. 

wastingangels's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective slow-paced

• 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

3.5

rezpez15's review against another edition

challenging dark hopeful informative reflective tense fast-paced

• 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? It's complicated

5.0

abbey1s's review against another edition

challenging emotional 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? No

5.0

This was such a powerful story, with amazing curated characters. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

jillian_b96's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5