Scan barcode
A review by meeklovestoread
Us Against You by Fredrik Backman
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
If I'm being honest I was really scared to get into this book because although I really liked Beartown (I read it like months ago). I thought the book was very slow and took a while for me to get into, but I ended up loving it. I didn't know there would be sequels otherwise I would've read them back to back. I hadn't read a book from this author since Beartown so I was afraid that I'd be intimidated by the writing and the length of the book. I'm so glad I was worried for nothing because I ended up loving the book of course.
However, I don't what it was but it did take me a long time to finish it (about seven days). Like for the first few days, I would only read about 30 pages a day and then not have the urge to pick up the book which is weird because the book was still good, I guess I just wasn't in the right mood for those couple days.
What did help was as I was reading this book I was also watching the show that they made for the first book; that also got me into the mood to read the book so that was great.
I love the themes the book explored and how it handled the aftereffects of Maya's r@pe and how the town's people reacted. Once I got into it again I just couldn't believe but adored the way that Backman wrote in through his multiple third-person narratives. There were parts of politics in this book that I found both confusing and also intriguing. I really wish I understood politics. I was so invested in what Rochard Theo was planning and how he was able to bend everyone to do what he wanted. Loved Benji and Amat and Bobo! And also I'm really feeling for Leo, I hope we get more of him in the next book. I also like how hopeful the ending (and everything else) was without being all "happily ever after"-like. I think I would've rated it book 5 stars if it were for the fact that it just took me so long to finish it.
Ana outting Benji for being gay was the ultimate sign of disrespect for me. I did not like her character after that and personally didn't feel like she deserved to be forgiven.
However, I don't what it was but it did take me a long time to finish it (about seven days). Like for the first few days, I would only read about 30 pages a day and then not have the urge to pick up the book which is weird because the book was still good, I guess I just wasn't in the right mood for those couple days.
What did help was as I was reading this book I was also watching the show that they made for the first book; that also got me into the mood to read the book so that was great.
I love the themes the book explored and how it handled the aftereffects of Maya's r@pe and how the town's people reacted. Once I got into it again I just couldn't believe but adored the way that Backman wrote in through his multiple third-person narratives. There were parts of politics in this book that I found both confusing and also intriguing. I really wish I understood politics. I was so invested in what Rochard Theo was planning and how he was able to bend everyone to do what he wanted. Loved Benji and Amat and Bobo! And also I'm really feeling for Leo, I hope we get more of him in the next book. I also like how hopeful the ending (and everything else) was without being all "happily ever after"-like. I think I would've rated it book 5 stars if it were for the fact that it just took me so long to finish it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Violence, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Outing
Moderate: Bullying, Rape, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Gun violence, Hate crime, Blood, Dementia, and Alcohol