Beartown - Fredrik Backman

⭐ 9.0/10

(Originally written by hoodie_logi)

A haunting tale of loss, loyalty and regret, all told through the lens of a town obsessed with their local junior hockey team.

This really was a remarkable book. I didn't read any reviews before hand, so I really wasn't expecting this to be such a heavy, emotionally invested read, but I'm so glad it was. The ability Backman holds to give such a diverse group of characters, not only any back story, but meaningful, heart-wrenching origins that inform and impact how they interact with the story is truly a marvel. I can't say I've ever read a story where this much emotional baggage is handled this well.

I won't say much to avoid spoilers, but this really is a must read in my opinion. Don't write it off because it's about hockey, the sport is just the medium through which to explore the good and the bad parts of being human. There's some beauty, but so so much loss that these characters face, and the repercussions from actions and decisions in the book ring so real because of the spectacular character building that Backman does.

In my opinion a must read, get on it!