Beartown

Now an HBO Original Series

“You’ll love this engrossing novel.” —People

Named a Best Book of the Year by LibraryReads, BookBrowse, and Goodreads

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Anxious People, a dazzling and profound novel about a small town with a big dream—and the price required to make it come true.

By the lake in Beartown is an old ice rink, and in that ice rink Kevin, Amat, Benji, and the rest of the town’s junior ice hockey team are 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.

Under that heavy burden, the match becomes the catalyst for a violent act that will leave a young girl traumatized and a town in turmoil. Accusations are made and, like ripples on a pond, they travel through all of Beartown.

This is a story about a town and a game, but even more about loyalty, commitment, and the responsibilities of friendship; the people we disappoint even though we love them; and the decisions we make every day that come to define us. In this story of a small forest town, Fredrik Backman has found the entire world.

Could Not Put this One Away

Would you listen to Beartown again? Why?

Yes. This is such a great story on multiple levels - small town relationships, the incredible dedication of athletes, the craziness of sport parents and of course an explosive subject matter. Backman's character development is excellent as always.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Beartown?

I would say in the end, how a girl takes matters into her own hands. ( I don't want to spoil the ending)

What does Marin Ireland bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Great narration and voices.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It did all of the above. It made me laugh, made me angry, made me sad, made me apprehensive and in the end somewhat satisfied.

Five Stars in every conceivable way!

First of all, let me say that this is an exceptional story and certainly worthwhile reading.

There are times you may absolutely hate this book, these characters and the plot. If you have a heart, tears will well up in your eyes and it will be times it is hard to continue on. You will find parts very funny and perhaps even recall having been in a similar situation. In the end, if you appreciate a story well told, the roller coaster ride that is Beartown is an experience you deserve.

Without revealing too much, a certainly not doing the author any justice in my synopsis, Beartown is on the edge of the forest and oblivion. Hockey, ice hockey that is, holds hope for a championship season and an economic infusion for Beartown's salvation. The story involves the returned local hockey celebrity who is the General Manager of the hockey club, his family and their lives both in Beartown and before. Several other locals play prominently in the story, include the GM's old hockey coach and mentor, the arena's cleaning lady and her son, several prominent local business men and, of course, the stars of the town's Junior Hockey Team.

Backman mixes the politics of sports, patronage. and the brutality of teens in high school and hockey (although I imagine any sport could be substituted instead).

Marin Ireland's narration of the audio book is fabulous

A brilliant & cruel coming of age story

Any additional comments?

I have read and loved all of Backman's books but came to this one with trepidation since it is centered on ice hockey, a sport of which I know nothing. His ability to portray the human heart in all its dimensions quickly allayed my fears. My favorite Backman character heretofore was Britt-Marie but now Benjie will haunt me forever. In previous books the characters are quirky, ornery, mysterious but almost always lovable. The people in Beartown are a more real bunch with shortcomings, cruelty, shortsightedness, hidden pain and amazing bravery. I have "read" this twice just to savor the depth of each one.

so much more than just hockey...

terrific book! would be great for a book club because you want to talk about this book and the themes. highly relevant to today's dialogue.

A great book!

Omg, such a great book. He’s such a smart writer. Great w/ male and female characters. Now one of my favorite authors. Great audible reader as well.