Beartown
Registered by valpete of Walnut Creek, California USA on 12/20/2018
This book is in a Controlled Release!
12 journalers for this copy...
This is, by far and away, the best book I’ve read this year. Although the story revolves around a small-town hockey team in Sweden, it is so much more. All of the characters, and there are many, have been developed with such depth that I felt I could feel their feelings. And there were so many profound thoughts sprinkled throughout the story, that I couldn’t help underlining so that I can go back and reread them. Bravo, Fredrick Backman.
Sending this along as my
Favorite book for the 2018 Roundabout. Enjoy!
Favorite book for the 2018 Roundabout. Enjoy!
Book arrived today! I see this author's name a lot, but I've not read any of his books, and to be perfectly honest I've not really felt any desire to read any of his books. Which is one of the things I love about the Roundabout - I read and enjoyed some books last year that I might not have ever picked up or discovered on my own. I'll start this as soon as I finish my current read (a Meg Cabot Princess Diaries book so it will go quickly!).
I wasn't sure in the beginning about how much I would like this book. Right off the bat I did like the author's writing style, his voice (which is also a testament to the translator!), but I wasn't very engaged or riveted. Until suddenly I was and I ended up loving it. A powerful story.
I finished it about a week ago, and then I was sick so it just sat on my desk. But it's finally headed off to the next participant.
Now I need to find the sequel!
I finished it about a week ago, and then I was sick so it just sat on my desk. But it's finally headed off to the next participant.
Now I need to find the sequel!
Journal Entry 5 by earthcaroleanne at Falkirk, Scotland United Kingdom on Thursday, February 21, 2019
Arrived today
It had me at Chapter One - I needed to know what happened. It does take a little time to get used to the hockey obsession, but this really is a book of two halves. The first half moves at a very slow pace introducing us to the cast of characters and in particular to the game of hockey that is central to Beartown. The second half moves at a faster pace but you realise that the slow introduction was necessary to help you understand the aftermath of The Incident. I though the author handled the tricky scenes very sensitively and accurately. However, I honestly could not understand the violent pack like mentality. I would have packed up and ran out of there as fast as my legs could carry me.
ETA - this also reminds me of what is currently happening in the US with a Stanford student who sexually assaulted an unconscious woman.
"Turner’s status as an elite, white young athlete at a prestigious university also factored into Perksy’s (the judge's) decision to be lenient."
ETA - this also reminds me of what is currently happening in the US with a Stanford student who sexually assaulted an unconscious woman.
"Turner’s status as an elite, white young athlete at a prestigious university also factored into Perksy’s (the judge's) decision to be lenient."
Sending on in the Favourites roundabout.
Received today - I read A Man Called Ove earlier this year and really enjoyed it, this looks like a different style so I'm interested to see what I think!
Wow, what a rollercoaster of a book! I haven't read a book in a long while that made me feel so many different emotions. The story is a lot darker than the previous book I read by this author, which took me by surprise, but the same enjoyable writing style and varied, fascinating characters.
The book dealt with these big themes about power and loyalty and loss of innocence and the impact of progress on small towns. I found myself empathising with all the characters at some point, even the ones who at other times I couldn't relate to at all, because there was a subtlety to the way they were portrayed, nothing was black and white. There was a point where you could see the set up for The Incident coming, where I did think, Why does this have to get used yet again as a plot device? But I think it was actually really well-handled by the author.
I'm really glad this book was in the Roundabout as I don't think I would have read it otherwise- I would have assumed it would be more of the same that I'd already read from the author, and would have missed out on a great read!
The book dealt with these big themes about power and loyalty and loss of innocence and the impact of progress on small towns. I found myself empathising with all the characters at some point, even the ones who at other times I couldn't relate to at all, because there was a subtlety to the way they were portrayed, nothing was black and white. There was a point where you could see the set up for The Incident coming, where I did think, Why does this have to get used yet again as a plot device? But I think it was actually really well-handled by the author.
I'm really glad this book was in the Roundabout as I don't think I would have read it otherwise- I would have assumed it would be more of the same that I'd already read from the author, and would have missed out on a great read!
Now on its way to dark-draco
Journal Entry 11 by dark-draco at Ledbury, Herefordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, April 10, 2019
I did try with this one - really tried! I even stopped reading for a bit and picked up something else, but still couldn't get into it when I returned. I've read so many reviews that say the second half is brilliant, but I just couldn't get there.
I think it was the style that put me off, which may be down to the translator rather than the author. I hated the quickly changing viewpoints, which didn't really give you a chance to get involved with any one character before it bounced off to somewhere else.
Maybe timing was an issue too and I would enjoy it if picked up elsewhen!
Not for me.
I think it was the style that put me off, which may be down to the translator rather than the author. I hated the quickly changing viewpoints, which didn't really give you a chance to get involved with any one character before it bounced off to somewhere else.
Maybe timing was an issue too and I would enjoy it if picked up elsewhen!
Not for me.
Journal Entry 13 by dark-draco at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Monday, June 3, 2019
Arrived today.
The envelope was completely shredded, but the book is fine and the 3 labels were still there :-)
Thank you!
The envelope was completely shredded, but the book is fine and the 3 labels were still there :-)
Thank you!
It sounded like some TV series by other authors from Northern Europe. They're quite good at getting you grasping for more. Although sometimes it looks like there's nothing going on, it takes you to unexpected places in your mind.
I can't wait to follow the TV series that will be made, based on this book.
Thank you for sharing.
Fifna is on holidays so I'll hold the book until she is about to return home.
I can't wait to follow the TV series that will be made, based on this book.
Thank you for sharing.
Fifna is on holidays so I'll hold the book until she is about to return home.
Sent to Fifna today.
Enjoy! :-)
Enjoy! :-)
It has arrived here, thanks Arvores! I really enjoyed A Man Called Ove, so looking forward to this one.
This starts out rather slowly, and the town's obsession with ice hockey is the main thing. But you can tell from the start this is not just about ice hockey, and then half way through something happens that sets you off on a ride with highs and lows all the way through to the end. Well written and thought-provoking. Thank you for sharing!
Journal Entry 19 by Fifna at La Chapelle-sur-Erdre, Pays de la Loire France on Sunday, September 29, 2019
Released 4 yrs ago (9/29/2019 UTC) at La Chapelle-sur-Erdre, Pays de la Loire France
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On its way to Icila.
Caught it ! Thank you Fifna !
I didn't realize at first who was the author and that I had loved the previous book I read. Ice hockey ? At first I was reluctant because it is far removed from me although we have a team here in an ice-skating place, of course it's still a confidential sport in France.
As a matter of fact I'm just back from Canada and our tour-guide was a fanatic and tell us a lot about the practice there where it's compulsory to practice it from early childhood every day after school in winter.
I understand better how he was so proud of himself and his son to have been selected by universities and won free scholarship thanks to his success.
I was hooked to the story from the beginning although the rules still elude me.
But this story wasn't about the sport but about a struggling little town and when its sole hope not to die is for the Team to win.
An "Incident" happened and everyone w'll suffer.
Thank you valpete for having chosen that book.
As a matter of fact I'm just back from Canada and our tour-guide was a fanatic and tell us a lot about the practice there where it's compulsory to practice it from early childhood every day after school in winter.
I understand better how he was so proud of himself and his son to have been selected by universities and won free scholarship thanks to his success.
I was hooked to the story from the beginning although the rules still elude me.
But this story wasn't about the sport but about a struggling little town and when its sole hope not to die is for the Team to win.
An "Incident" happened and everyone w'll suffer.
Thank you valpete for having chosen that book.
On its way to Lamilla now. Enjoy !
Arrived today
Sorry for keeping it so long! Couldn't get into it
You've found a travelling book. Hurray!
The book's journey continues by its finder's cooperation and creativity. By making a journal entry on this book, you can add to the book's story as it travels from reader to reader around the world.
Enjoy your reading!
Привет!
Спасибо, что нашли время зайти на сайт и сделать запись в журнале! Напишите, когда и где вы нашли книгу.
Перед тем, как попасть к Вам, она побывала в других уголках света. История ее путешествий записана на сайте, и теперь к ней добавился еще один пункт. Я очень рада, что она нашла нового читателя в Вашем лице.
You've found a travelling book. Hurray!
The book's journey continues by its finder's cooperation and creativity. By making a journal entry on this book, you can add to the book's story as it travels from reader to reader around the world.
Enjoy your reading!
Привет!
Спасибо, что нашли время зайти на сайт и сделать запись в журнале! Напишите, когда и где вы нашли книгу.
Перед тем, как попасть к Вам, она побывала в других уголках света. История ее путешествий записана на сайте, и теперь к ней добавился еще один пункт. Я очень рада, что она нашла нового читателя в Вашем лице.
Received from Lamilla, thanks for the stamps, too!
I already read this book about a year ago so here is my POV:
Really enjoyed this book, it had so many facets to it that I kept changing my mind on what was the best way to handle the situations! A very current read and very thought-provoking. Loved it. 10/10
I already read this book about a year ago so here is my POV:
Really enjoyed this book, it had so many facets to it that I kept changing my mind on what was the best way to handle the situations! A very current read and very thought-provoking. Loved it. 10/10
Still on its travels, going to Canada now...
Please let us know when you release it again...
Please let us know when you release it again...
This book has arrived in Canada and is with me. Looking forward to reading it!
I really enjoyed this story, which had serious themes and disturbing moments but was also uplifting and engaging at the same time. Living in a hockey-crazy country and having grown up in Montreal, home of the "Habs", I could relate to the feelings of the characters. Thank you, valpete, for contributing this book to the roundabout. I'm now eager to read the sequel and other books by Backman.
This book is on its way to mcsar now.
Arrived today. I've read and loved a few of the author's books. Looking forward to reading this one.
Loved it. It is a bit different from his other works, which I adore. This one is darker but the author just has a way with characterization that makes me love and care about all the characters. I also like the way he deals with the themes. I cannot wait to follow the stories of the characters and read the sequel. Thank you valpete for sharing this gem.
Happy Holidays! Is this author new to you? I love his works and hope you'd like it too.