A review by youcancallmefi
Beartown by Fredrik Backman

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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? Yes

5.0



I knew I was going to love this book despite having mixed reactions and ratings for the two previous Backman’s I read. I was promised a gut wrenching, heavy read with the whimsical writing that is a brand of the author and it really was all of that and more. 

I am so happy to have picked this up on a cold rainy day in November as I think this added so much to the reading experience. I really don’t want to dwell on explaining the plot – likewise with 𝚃𝚘𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚠 𝚡 𝟹, doesn’t really matter if you’re not into games or this case, sports/hockey.  


 I am not exaggerating when I say want to read this book again and again and have my heart stomped in the cold snow of a forest in Sweden on a torturous loop. At the same time, I want to read the sequel, I want to prolong the feelings I still have after finishing ʙᴇᴀʀᴛᴏᴡɴ. 

The prologue of this has to be the most gripping one that I have ever read. I am not sure how to explain the feelings that came rushing out of me whilst reading such a succinct but powerful paragraph.  You know straight away something horrible happened from the star, so the atmosphere is charged and sinister through out the whole book but the ride…. oh, the ride. 

Despite so many characters, they are so well fleshed out and three dimensional, and all of their collective voices contribute to the plot without drowning it or making it shallow. They are also from different age gaps and I am so at awe how the author has a grip on understanding humanity and all it’s complexities and how distinct their voices are here. 

I adored the pacing of this, which I think it’s the first time you will hear me saying this. I felt very much as I was whilst reading ᴀ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ʟɪғᴇ - that aching but sweet pain of a slow pace that often makes you pause to come out for air. And then you reach to that epilogue, that astonishing powerful epilogue, jumping from character to character so masterfully done, without being confusing. 

Through this, I felt immerse in the surroundings like I was at the hockey rink, in the police station, in the woods, drowned in the blankets of my room. Being from a small town myself, I could relate to the collective hysteria when something happens, the judgement but also the uplifting side of a community itself. 

I can’t really be objective whilst reviewing this as it was so emotional and due to the heaviness of the subjects that it approaches.  I felt often sad, hopeful, sometimes happy, lost but always moved. 
 
 

This will always be the book I would love to have written myself. 


 



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