Author: Fredrik Backman
Format: AudiobookNarrator: Marin Ireland
Publication Date: April 25,
2017
2017
Genre: Literary Fiction
My Rating: 5
Goodreads Synopsis
The #1 New York Times
bestselling author of A Man Called Ove returns with a dazzling, profound novel
about a small town with a big dream—and the price required to make it come
true.
bestselling author of A Man Called Ove returns with a dazzling, profound novel
about a small town with a big dream—and the price required to make it come
true.
People say Beartown is
finished. A tiny community nestled deep in the forest, it is slowly losing
ground to the ever encroaching trees. But down by the lake stands an old ice
rink, built generations ago by the working men who founded this town. And in
that ice rink is the reason people in Beartown believe tomorrow will be better
than today. Their junior ice hockey team is about to compete in the national
semi-finals, and they actually have a shot at winning. All the hopes and dreams
of this place now rest on the shoulders of a handful of teenage boys.
finished. A tiny community nestled deep in the forest, it is slowly losing
ground to the ever encroaching trees. But down by the lake stands an old ice
rink, built generations ago by the working men who founded this town. And in
that ice rink is the reason people in Beartown believe tomorrow will be better
than today. Their junior ice hockey team is about to compete in the national
semi-finals, and they actually have a shot at winning. All the hopes and dreams
of this place now rest on the shoulders of a handful of teenage boys.
My Thoughts…
This
is one of those books that change your life.
The kind of book you identify with.
The kind of book that crawls under your skin and breaks your heart.
is one of those books that change your life.
The kind of book you identify with.
The kind of book that crawls under your skin and breaks your heart.
The last
book I read by Fredrik Backman was a beautiful, character driven novel named A
Man called Ove. I can’t say that
his writing style has grown, because I don’t think it can be improved, but his
storytelling has reached a whole new level.
That’s not to say that the characters aren’t compelling, they genuinely
are, but I will get to that shortly. It’s
just that this novel is a plot driven story of mystery and angst.
book I read by Fredrik Backman was a beautiful, character driven novel named A
Man called Ove. I can’t say that
his writing style has grown, because I don’t think it can be improved, but his
storytelling has reached a whole new level.
That’s not to say that the characters aren’t compelling, they genuinely
are, but I will get to that shortly. It’s
just that this novel is a plot driven story of mystery and angst.
Without
giving away any spoiler, this book is a story of the effect of people on one
another and how skewed our priorities can be without us ever realizing.
giving away any spoiler, this book is a story of the effect of people on one
another and how skewed our priorities can be without us ever realizing.
I did
not regret a second I spent reading this book and began the follow-up, Us Against You, as soon as I possibly
could. I cannot recommend this book
more.
not regret a second I spent reading this book and began the follow-up, Us Against You, as soon as I possibly
could. I cannot recommend this book
more.
The Characters…
Ther eis a cast of
characters in this novel, but honestly, I could wear I have met every single
person. They are so relatable and well
written that I can name people just like them.
There are not really main characters, as this is truly an ensemble.
characters in this novel, but honestly, I could wear I have met every single
person. They are so relatable and well
written that I can name people just like them.
There are not really main characters, as this is truly an ensemble.
Audiobook Review…
Good narration, though
an additional narrator would have been appreciated for the amount of male
characters. The narrator did a good job
with the men, there were just so many that it might have been helpful.
an additional narrator would have been appreciated for the amount of male
characters. The narrator did a good job
with the men, there were just so many that it might have been helpful.
Memorable Lines…
“Never trust people who
don’t have something in their lives that they love beyond all reason.”
don’t have something in their lives that they love beyond all reason.”
― Fredrik Backman, Beartown
“For the perpetrator,
rape lasts just a matter of minutes. For the victim, it never stops.”
rape lasts just a matter of minutes. For the victim, it never stops.”
― Fredrik Backman, Beartown
“Not a second has passed
since she had children without her feeling like a bad mother. For everything.
For not understanding, for being impatient, for not knowing everything, not
making better packed lunches, for still wanting more out of life than just
being a mother.”
since she had children without her feeling like a bad mother. For everything.
For not understanding, for being impatient, for not knowing everything, not
making better packed lunches, for still wanting more out of life than just
being a mother.”
― Fredrik Backman, Beartown
“There are two things
that are particularly good at reminding us how old we are: children and
sports.”
that are particularly good at reminding us how old we are: children and
sports.”
― Fredrik Backman, Beartown
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