A review by jordanh
Beartown by Fredrik Backman

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

For absolutely no discernable reason, I have been under the impression in the last few months that Fredrik Backman would be one of my favourite authours when I eventually read his works. This is the only book of his that I've read, so one book does not yet feel like enough evidence, but this is certainly granting many points in his favour. 

This was so well-written. I don't know how to fully articulate it, but the way this was written was so real. I can't believe this was written by a man. Like. You're telling me a <i> man </i> wrote this book!?!?!?!? A man wrote these women?? A man wrote <i> that </i> scene?????? I am not the type of person that is easily triggered but this one did a little bit for the sheer realism of the rape scene. It was just so real and accurate and GOd ,,,,,,,

The first bit of the book was very slow and kind of boring, but the payoff was totally worth it. The slow development at the beginning totally immersed you in the town and connected you with all of the characters. Both the good and the bad, and all the complexities of the relationships. It wouldn't have worked near as well as it did if the beginning hadn't been what it was, with the development of the town and the many characters living in it. I find that usually this many pov's does not work and dilutes the story, but in this case it would not have worked without all of the pov's that it had. 

This was just such a phenomenal read and I am so excited to read more by Fredrik Backman. 
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