Deeply human characters

Fredrik Backman creates true and complex characters with meaningful relationships. I have bookmarked so many phrases that touched me and where situations were so clearly and eloquently described. A beautifully written book packed full of drama, tension, humanity and emotions. The narrator captured the emotions so well and created true personalities with unforced accents. A job well done. Here and there the sound varied as if he stood closer to the microphone or moved away - which was probably a recording glitch, but not the fault of the narrator.

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1 person found this helpful

Except for "bang, bang, bang, bang", it was great

A friend recommended the book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was uncanny to see the similarities between this book and the 1999 movie Mystery, Alaska. Both are set against a backdrop of a small rural town where ice hockey rules supreme.

The characters were very well-developed, and the book probably deserves 4.5 stars. A passage in the middle of the book was a bit slow, so I cannot rate it 5 stars. The book's ending, while executed satisfactorily, could have provided a bit more thrill. Another reason for rounding down instead of up was the repeated use of the word "bang". I realise the author wanted to emphasise the commitment of players practising, but it was repeated so often that I started comparing it to Neymar's rolling antics - it just kept going on and on. I did a quick word count, and the word was used 119 times, often in sequences of "Bang-bang-bang. Bang. Bang". This was repeated incessantly and, frankly, became extremely annoying. I also listened to the audiobook (Audible), which made it hard to gloss over. These were big enough issues for me to downgrade my rating.

Other than that, the author does a very good job of highlighting bias regarding matters close to people's hearts. It is probably nowhere near as evident regarding their favourite sports. The lengths individuals will go to to protect their stars are often as disturbing as the despicable acts these stars are accused of.

There are two more books in the series, and I will probably read them later.

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A deeply truthful fiction

This book was such a hard read in places as it shone a cold brutal light on real issues. The truth of it is painful. I’m glad I read through as you feel the healing the Maya feels. Deeply thought provoking. You may question why you picked up this book, you may wish you didn’t, but you won’t regret finishing it.

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Fiction or non-fiction?

Growing up in rural Sweden this really swept me back in both the best ways and the worst. Excellently written with great insight of the real areas described.

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An intriguing story

Well written and narrated, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who wants to listen to a story with a difference

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Gripping story

A slightly slow start but a very well told and gripping story. The narrator taking on different English accents for a story not from there was a bit irritating but otherwise well told.

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Not for everyone

Harsh, difficult, insightful,well written. Not a happy,cozy read at all. A rape is the centre. Not what U expected at all. Clipped voice of reader drove me nuts! Had to speed up so it would sound normally instead of irritating staccato.

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Brilliant

This is a great story about humanity and how hard it is to survive, but survive we do. A story about a hockey town ( although it could have been any other male dominated sport). A story about parenting, friendships, prejudices, deceit, love, humour, cruelty - it’s has it all, yet told in such a simple fashion that it is truly wonderful.

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2 people found this helpful

Backman delivers another beautiful story

Riveting story, detailed and credible characterisation., and searing emotion.
John Sackville reads it with the exact pitch of a sympathetic observer, drawing you in to Beartown in all its strength and frailty.
I loved this book.

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Gripping and sad. Worth a listen

Not an easy listen. This is a story that deals with real issues - culture, parenting, substance abuse, abuse, rape, and what we choose to see, understand and/or accept. Ultimately a gripping story.

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1 person found this helpful