"Even when the rainbow seems to pass right by me....I'm still finding Gold in the clouds....."

08 December 2024

2024 Book Review #51: Beartown

 

I enjoyed the mini-series of this book that was on Netflix a few years back and didn't know it is a book trilogy by one of my  favorite Swedish authors.  

I think this is a very well done, beautifully written and somewhat haunting story involving  teens, their parents, a community and people obsessed with hockey. If I was an English teacher, I would want my older students to read this series. It's full of moral values/teachable moments and life lessons. 

STORY SUMMARY

Beartown is a tiny forest town in Sweden...a very small community set in the deep forest where hockey is the sport. Down by the lake, there's an old ice rink and it was built generations ago by the workingmen who founded the town. The people think that their ice rink will make them a better town.  

The junior hockey team is  about to compete in a national semifinal game against the town of Hed, which is the larger town nearby. They actually have a shot at winning this game. Their star player, Kevin, is the son of the wealthiest family in town.  Everyone  caters to this family and to Kevin. There are other good players on the team as well but Kevin is the star. If he wins, this could send him on to a professional hockey career in the NHL in North America. 

Amat, a 15 yr old hockey player has always been treated like an outcast except when he is on the ice. He is being raised by a single mom who happens to be the cleaning lady for the Club...the Club sponsors the hockey teams in town. Amat has just been moved up to the Junior Team and this could really open up his future in hockey with the community. 

A victory would also justify choices that Peter, a townie who moved away to be in the NHL until an injury took him away, and who now is the general manager of the Club teams and a coach, made with his wife Kira, a lawyer, and their 2 young teens, Maya and Leo. 

Being responsible for the hopes and dreams of an entire town is quite a burden for a 17 yr old......when he commits a violent act, he is led away from the bus taking the team to the semifinals and it leaves one girl traumatized. Now the town is in turmoil.  They not only lose the semi-final game, but they lose all hope in Peter and the hockey team. No one wants to believe what really happened. 

Everyone in Beartown is affected by this one single act of a 17 yr old boy. 

What will happen to Hockey in Beartown? And will justice be served?? 


MY THOUGHTS

This is a fast paced story with lots of good action, well developed characters and a whole lot of drama, metaphors, valuable lessons for teens and parents, and moral/ethical lessons as well. 

Some of the main themes in this book are: 

Good vs evil; right vs wrong; single parenthood, emotionally neglected children; sports obsession; teamwork; wealth vs poverty; drug use; date rape; loyalty; betrayal; belonging; hopelessness; revenge; courage; perseverance and several others. 

This book has so many good quotes that I'd like to share some: 

"We become what we are told we are." (pg 78, Beartown by Fredrik Backman, c. 2016)

"A simple truth, repeated as often as it is ignored, is that if you tell a child it can do absolutely anything, of that it can't do anything at all, you will in all likelihood be proven right." (pg 79) 

"Anything that grows closely enough to what it loves will eventually share the same roots." (pg 138) 

 "It's a terrible thing to have to keep a big secret from the people you love." (pg 166)

"Sometimes life  doesn't let you choose your battles. Just the company you keep." (pg 354)

"People  round here don't always know the difference between right and wrong. But we know the difference between good and evil." (pg 391). 

One of my favorite characters was Benji....a gay teen who hid his sexual identity from everyone around him. He was probably the bravest character of all. 

The relationship between best friends Ana and Maya is so special that I'm curious to see how they develop in books 2 and 3. 

And Ahmet. A boy who battled injustice and bullying but comes out a winner. Sort of. What will happen in books 2 and 3 with him? 

This is a story that will stick with you. It seems to take place over just a period of a few weeks. It's very well done. I'm looking forward to getting books 2 and 3 from the library this winter. 

Unfortunately there were many editing errors in this book but the overall plot and character development is just beautiful. He is such a talented author. 

In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 14 and older (it does have some mature content and certain scenes could be triggers for people who have dealt with bullying or date rape). 

On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 8.  It would have a higher score if the editing mistakes weren't there and if the author hadn't overused the F word. 


 



1 comment:

Deb J. in Utah said...

Hi Faith. I have heard from several people that this book is very good. I may read it. I read this same author's book, A Man Called Ove, and I really loved it. Thanks for the review!