Comments (104)

Community comments are the opinions of contributing users. These comments do not represent the opinions of Strathcona County Library.
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Jan 20, 2024ShelfLove rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This book serves as a reminder that locker room talk can turn into actions. I also learned the unfortunate fact that the misogyny and homophobia steeped in sports culture is not just American, but seems to be world wide. Not only is it the…
Oct 14, 2023BeckyR21 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Not sure why I'm so late to the party, but this book was dynamite. Wow, Backman can write. His societal insights are bang on. This is the type of book that you want to reread to write down all the amazing quotes and observations of society…
Sep 10, 2023bettymck rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Loved this series. So well written and thoroughly entertaining
Aug 21, 2023d007562647 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This, and its 2 sequels, is a truly outstanding story. Read and you will not be disappointed.
May 17, 2023GillianAlice rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
------spoilers ahead!!----------- I have...so many thoughts. This was an uncomfortable book in so many ways, from reading the details of Maya's rape to the awful yet expected consequences of her reporting Kevin to the police. Backman…
Mar 13, 2023AlteredStaite rated this title 1.5 out of 5 stars
I started this because I remember reading "A Man Called Ove" and liking it very much. I can't find my review (guess it was too long ago) so I'm going to go back and read it again. I got half way through this book (entirely based on the…
Feb 16, 2023Anita_Dickey rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I read this book for the 52 books in 52 weeks reading challenge. I used the February 2023 mini challenge prompt read a book set in winter (prompt chosen by the groundhog). The book was well written. I hated it. period. It was aweful. You…
Feb 02, 2023Erinlarson2006 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A great book! The characters are well developed and the number of themes subtly woven together is impressive.
Dec 20, 2022RJD53 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Beartown and Us Against you by Fredrik Backman are both deep captivating books. They are stories about a sport, hockey, and its "hold" on the people of the community -- and the real life / drama stories that unfold. The author has a keen…
Nov 17, 2022jasnadzinic rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Absolutely loved this novel!
Nov 07, 2022alburke47 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
After reading the (mostly) cute A Man Called Ove, I followed it quickly with the much darker Beartown. This was set in small-town Sweden, but this could have been in any small sports town around the world. It's mostly about covering up a…
Oct 04, 2022Bududo rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
The scope of this book seems to have been too ambitious for this author to skillfully execute. There are parts that are quite good but then there are too many PC moments and cardboard characters to spoil it. The author weaves hockey and…
Sep 25, 2022crazycatladyreads rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I loved this book. Backman has a knack for getting to the heart of things without beating the reader over the head, while at the same time maintaining a sense of humor.
Sep 25, 2022green_alligator_8810 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This one received high praise from our book club members. Fredrick Backman's writing style is engaging and leads the reader along an amazing journey.
Aug 29, 2022jaxtitan22 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, it displays Backman's signature ability to showcase interesting, complex characters throughout the story. On the other hand, it is a notable departure from the lighthearted tone of…
Aug 16, 2022__jacs rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
One of my favourite books of all time. The series on Crave is excellent as well.
Apr 11, 2022mtn_05 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Age rating: 14+ TW: several mentions of rape and sexual assault In his novel Beartown, Frederik Backman talks about rape and how a community allows for the rapist to get away with their crime while simultaneously denying the victim…
Aug 14, 2021baldand rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Another reader noted how odd it is that the goaltenders on the Beartown teams seem to go completely unmentioned. Perhaps just as strange is just to what extent Bachmann seems to describe Sweden, or at least Beartown, as a post-Christian…
bookpusher
Jul 28, 2021bookpusher rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Absolutely loved this book. Really enjoyed David and loved Benjamin!
Jul 09, 2021MrsRedbeard rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This was a good book. The story was a tough one, but it was well written and engrossing. Not disappointed, Fredrik Backman is a strong storyteller with guts and tenacity to tell a bad story in this excellent book.
Jun 20, 2021mnack_0 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This is the first novel I've read by Fredrik Backman. I plan to read more of him! I find him to be an adroit story teller. I love how in-depth he draws his characters. Also how he leaves these little 'easter eggs' about what's going to…
May 27, 2021xiaojunbpl12 rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Bang! on hockey, eye on puck? not a book I'd pluck. in Beartown I were stuck, of the world awestruck. Hang... Sturm und Drang. Slick craft, dualities heap; Stock characters go deep. Social issues grew steep; Culture sway, values…
Feb 27, 2021jbpHCLIB rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
I have enjoyed all of Mr Backman’s stories—they are thought-provoking esp about human nature. But I didn’t enjoy the writing of this one—so repetitive, down to exact word choice, that I found myself thinking, didn’t I read that somewhere…
Feb 20, 2021maipenrai rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
I have read 5 books by Fredrik Backman and loved every one of them until Beartown. I do not like the culture of sports with winning as the ultimate goal as opposed to learning teamwork and personal growth. Until the violent event that…
Jan 08, 2021
Beartown is a fictional novel that centers around a small town whose citizens live for hockey. The story follows the perspective of different people throughout the town, and their thoughts and actions when a shockingly tragic event strikes…