This is the third book by Fredrik Backman that I’ve read and he continues to just blow me away. I don’t know if any other authors are as good at writing characters as he is. While reading Beartown, I had such strong feelings about all the characters present, whether those feelings were positive or negative. I can’t remember the last time a book made me so angry. As frustrating to read as it is, you can sort of understand why the boys on the hockey team band together around Kevin, but the fact that the adults of Beartown were spewing so much hatred made me need to put the book down a few times. Kevin’s dad and the Lyt family especially made by blood boil.
In spite of how much this book shows off the absolute worst of humanity, it also shows some of the best. Benji is becoming one of my favorite characters ever, the scene where he destroys the bathroom after Maya punches the mirror was one of my favorites. I loved when Leo sat with his sister at lunch after her first day back at school. Bobo was a complete suprise for me as it seemed they were setting him up to be the rapist, then it completley pulls the rug out from under you. I loved when he beats up the other guys on the hockey team when they’re beating up Amat. I loved the scene where Amat stands up in front of the town and confesses what he saw. I love when Ramona convinces the Pack to vote to keep Peter as GM. I loved when Zacharias removes the graffiti from Maya’s locker. I loved a lot of scenes in this book, in spite of how angry other parts made me.
One of the most compelling characters for me was David. I certainly didn’t find him to be the most likable, but I just thought his philosophy about keeping politics out of hockey was really interesting, if frustrating. I really enjoyed reading about his relationship with the players, especially Benji. I am usually someone who hates sports but this book did a great job of making me understand why people get so intense about them.
This may be my favorite Fredrik Backman book I’ve read, and now I can’t wait to get started on the sequel.
by selloboy