kellylayne's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Car accident, Outing, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Violence, and Sexism
Moderate: Suicide and Sexual violence
jessicatobinjt's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
5.0
cmackrell's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
3.75
This book was corny and sappy and tied up too neatly. But did I love it anyway? yes.
thewanderingbooknerd's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
djschnitzer's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Gun violence, Toxic friendship, Hate crime, Outing, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Violence
mjallhvit_2205's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
gonsiorc's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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
greebytime's review against another edition
5.0
My god...I can't believe how good this book is. The sequel to [b:Beartown|33413128|Beartown (Beartown, #1)|Fredrik Backman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1482108618l/33413128._SY75_.jpg|54171514] and the second in a trilogy, author Fredrik Backman does such a good job continuing the story and making it so powerful and human.
Another reviewer here compared this to Friday Night Lights and I think that's super valid - in terms of the TV show. Because that told the story of a town, and of the players on the team - but it was also so powerful it got me to tears more often than not. And being honest, so did this book. Backman has a way of writing that drops in a powerful quote that feels natural and brutal and so, so perfect that it hits exactly right, and hits you in the heart with a hammer.
The story continues from where Beartown left off, but builds more to a rivalry with nearby town Hed, and how the fallout from the rape in Beartown continues to shape how neighbors treat each other and how sports and fandom can influence some truly awful behavior. But it also shows us the good side of people and of course, this is often where I was truly moved.
Is the book perhaps a bit manipulative and unrealistic in terms of how some people act? I think so. And I don't care at all. I absolutely LOVED this book (even more than the first) and can't wait to read [b:The Winners|60318890|The Winners (Beartown, #3)|Fredrik Backman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1645483248l/60318890._SY75_.jpg|76192150], the final book in the trilogy.
Another reviewer here compared this to Friday Night Lights and I think that's super valid - in terms of the TV show. Because that told the story of a town, and of the players on the team - but it was also so powerful it got me to tears more often than not. And being honest, so did this book. Backman has a way of writing that drops in a powerful quote that feels natural and brutal and so, so perfect that it hits exactly right, and hits you in the heart with a hammer.
The story continues from where Beartown left off, but builds more to a rivalry with nearby town Hed, and how the fallout from the rape in Beartown continues to shape how neighbors treat each other and how sports and fandom can influence some truly awful behavior. But it also shows us the good side of people and of course, this is often where I was truly moved.
Is the book perhaps a bit manipulative and unrealistic in terms of how some people act? I think so. And I don't care at all. I absolutely LOVED this book (even more than the first) and can't wait to read [b:The Winners|60318890|The Winners (Beartown, #3)|Fredrik Backman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1645483248l/60318890._SY75_.jpg|76192150], the final book in the trilogy.