A review by isabella__nesh99
Beartown by Fredrik Backman

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-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

(review after 2/4/25)
i love going back and annotating books during a reread, it's so relaxing and soothing and helps me procrastinate doing homework which is like exactly what i need rn

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, and Murder

There are some pretty overt and heavy themes discussed in this book, but Backman has nothing if not a deft and compassionate hand. While the personal contexts of every character is given, even the rapist's and other people who do not-good things, Backman never gives any excuses for bad behavior, and he also doesn't tell you, the reader, how to feel. He lets you draw your own conclusions while providing context.