Title: Beartown
Publication Year: 2016
Plot: "Beartown" is a gripping novel by Fredrik Backman set in a small, hockey-obsessed town. When a violent act shatters the community, tensions rise, revealing the dark underbelly of the beloved sport. Through rich characters and emotional depth, the story explores themes of loyalty, morality, and the power of community in the face of adversity.
Trivia: In 2020, a five-episode miniseries adaptation called Björnstad was added to HBO Nordic. The series premiered as Beartown on HBO in North America on February 22, 2021.
Alright, we’re back! After the holidays and a longer-than-expected break in January, the Lone Peak Book Club is in full swing. This week, we discussed our first book: Fredrik Backman’s Beartown. Every reader in the group really enjoyed this one. Our discussion leader said how much he appreciated getting multiple perspectives. The group talked about how much they liked getting to know different characters, from hockey coaches to barkeeps to parents to bass players. It did not weigh the book down, but added layers to the story.
The readers all noted things they liked about different characters. “Each character had a chance to shine…to be redeemed in our eyes.” Some characters needed more of that than others. But the readers loved that we spent time with the characters, allowing them to breathe a little bit. They said this helped build a really strong sense of community. Community is an important theme in the novel, and the cast of characters are the reason for that.
Within the community, the readers talked about how class plays a role. On one hand, we have a star hockey player in Kevin. He can do no wrong (even when he does) and he has the respect and adoration of everyone. Then there is a character like Amat, who lives on the “wrong side” of town. His mother does not have a lot of influence and Amat relies on a lot of people in the community to get access to various aspects of their small society.
One reader found the character of David to be really interesting. His relationship with his coach, his homosexuality, and his nascent relationship with the bass player added another layer! “The coach feels betrayed at first, when he sees David kiss another male. And as I read that, I thought ‘How typical.’ But then we read on and the coach reflects on it, and knows he could have done more for David. We get inside of his head and understand him a little more. The coach, like many characters, don’t just serve one purpose or role in this novel.”
Towards the end of the discussion, the readers all agreed that Backman has an acute understanding of human nature. The actions and reactions of characters seemed more natural than not. He did not appear to be strong-arming or forcing events in the story. It is highly readable. The readers thought it was a great book to start out book club off with.
That’s it for this week. Next week, we’ll be discussing Murakami’s After Dark. We hope you’re reading something good.
And if you’d like to help students in the Utah State Prison, UPEP has an Amazon wishlist, here.
Until next time,
E.
If you would like to read Beartown, here are some links:
Amat supremacy, tbh