eljarvo'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
4.5
Graphic: Rape and Gun violence
Moderate: Drug use, Alcoholism, Animal death, Child death, Mental illness, and Blood
Minor: Suicide
annakh16'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
Backman brings each character to life beautifully - and there are a lot of them -, showing the many depths of their motivations and creating an ever more complex web of relationships. The writing is straightforward but stunning - philosophical at times, when discussing concepts such as loyalty, love, friendship, family, community and more, but also full of vivid descriptions and images that really help bring the stories to life. The book makes clever use of flashbacks and flashforwards, which are revealing enough for the reader to make their own guesses about what will happen, but obscure enough to allow the story to unfold at its own pace. In fact, the book is full of small plot twists along the way, which are really aided by these small hints, that are often subverted at the last minute.
The only thing I‘d say is that it‘s a little bit slow to get into, as it starts with a lot of character description before the plot gets moving. But (as Backman always manages), soon both characters and places are laced with depth, so that you can’t help but root for them (or despise them, alternatively). As the plot picks up, so does the pace and by the end of the book, tension is running thick.
This is no doubt my favourite of Backman’s books so far. I loved this and would really recommend (even if you‘re not even slightly interested in hockey).
Spoiler
I especially appreciated Backman‘s almost sociological study of the dynamics and events surrounding Maya‘s rape. Backman explains, without justifying, the many factors which encouraged complicity and silence surrounding the event. His descriptions of the impact of the events on Maya‘s life and that of her family are devastating and moving.Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Gaslighting, Misogyny, Bullying, and Physical abuse
Minor: Gun violence, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Body shaming, Classism, Drug use, Child death, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
krimor's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child death, Sexual assault, and Homophobia
devowynn'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
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, Child death, Gaslighting, Grief, and Gun violence
marslotus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Spoiler
sexual assault of young girls.If I were to complain about anything, I understand the purpose of so many different point of views since the book is quite literally about Beartown and how it's citizens react to drastic events but that doesn't make it less frustrating when I can't remember the name of characters that have 5 or so paragraphs total dedicated to their presence within the entire book. That and having new characters on top of those being introduced when you're already halfway through can just be a bit tiring. It also confuses me what worthiness it requires to be a named character vs being only referred to as something you do (the girlfriend, the president, etc). Maybe there's a real reason for it, but I haven't figured it out.
Regardless, this was a good read and I appreciate the way a lot of topics were handled.
Graphic: Violence, Bullying, Sexual assault, Rape, Misogyny, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Grief, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Physical abuse
Minor: Gun violence, Child death, and Alcohol
te_ss_i'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Gaslighting, Rape, Homophobia, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Classism, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Child death, Alcohol, Transphobia, Bullying, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship
milliemillz'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
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Child death, Homophobia, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Minor: Child abuse
homealone2's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Hate crime, Blood, Rape, Death, Mental illness, Bullying, Suicide, Violence, Homophobia, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Gun violence, Alcohol, and Lesbophobia
bluebear1'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
4.25
Graphic: Rape and Child death
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Eating disorder, Death of parent, Homophobia, Violence, and Child abuse
thebookpirahna'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
4.25
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Homophobia and Misogyny
Minor: Child death