As much as I loved Beartown, this sequel started off disappointing. I found the method of writing intolerable. A narrater was telling the story of the story ....what?
The anti-gay prejudice in the book troubled me; would people really shout and scream
horrendous slurs as spectators in a sports arena?
However I loved the friends I met in Beartown. They were all there; Benji, Vidar, Amat, and all the rest. This is not an easy book to read. It was heartbreaking and painfully sad. Too bad it took a sweet young love along with a tragedy to bring people together. (less)
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The anti-gay prejudice in the book troubled me; would people really shout and scream
horrendous slurs as spectators in a sports arena?
However I loved the friends I met in Beartown. They were all there; Benji, Vidar, Amat, and all the rest. This is not an easy book to read. It was heartbreaking and painfully sad. Too bad it took a sweet young love along with a tragedy to bring people together. (less)
flagcomment · see review
When I first started reading this book I wasn't sure I wanted to keep reading due to the amount of conflict and bad things happening. But then I read the description again and liked the way it sounded, so continued to read it and was soon wrapped up in all the characters and all that was going on with the occupants of Bartown and couldn't put it down.
Loved, loved, loved this book. It is the follow up to Beartown and its one of his best books yet.
Every character is damaged in some way and their stories are so beautifully portrayed for all the good and bad.
If you loved Beartown this is a must read, and if you haven't make sure you read them in order for the full effect.
Every character is damaged in some way and their stories are so beautifully portrayed for all the good and bad.
If you loved Beartown this is a must read, and if you haven't make sure you read them in order for the full effect.
Us Against You by Fredrik Backman is a sequel to Beartown. A broader approach and the introduction of politics and economics pull the book away from the intensity of the personal emotional connection of the first book. In some ways, this book is completely not what I expected. Other Frederick Backman books have been so focused on the emotions of individual stories that completely envelop you into the tale. This one still has moments in which it speaks to me, just less so than the others.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2019/02/us-against-you.html
Reviewed for NetGalley.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2019/02/us-against-you.html
Reviewed for NetGalley.
Backman once again shows his talent as a master storyteller. Even though the novel is about hockey, Backman gives us insights into the human experiences of the residents of Beartown. Us Against You picks up where Beartown left off. He allows us to feel everything his characters are feeling. He shows us their flaws and strengths. His scenes bring tears to our eyes, cause us despair and then moments of humor that give us a smile. This is a powerful and moving sequel and I highly recommend reading Us Against You.
