Beartown by Fredrik Backman

Title: Beartown
Author: Fredrik Backman
Publisher: Atria Books
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Year of Publication: 2016
Date of Publication: August 25, 2016
Pages: 432
ISBN-10: 1501160761
ISBN-13: 978-1501160769

Summary of Beartown by Fredrik Backman

Beartown is a novel about a small, hockey-obsessed town facing a shocking event. 

The story centers on the junior ice hockey team, which represents the town’s pride and hope. When a violent act involving star player Kevin Erdahl shakes the community, alliances are tested and secrets are uncovered. Many individuals in the community must confront the difficult truths about loyalty, justice, and morality.

At the heart of the story is Peter Andersson, the team’s general manager and a former NHL player, who struggles with the weight of leadership and fatherhood. His daughter, Maya, finds herself at the center of the town’s turmoil. Her best friend, Ana, refuses to back down in the face of injustice.

Amat, a young player from a humble background, sees his world shift as he’s caught between personal ambition and doing what is right. Benji, Kevin’s best friend, harbors his own secrets while grappling with the pressures of the sport.

Main Themes

The novel focuses on themes of community, identity, and the weight of expectations. It also examines rage in different forms and from various characters. The novel looks at rage from the quiet anger of those seeking justice to the explosive fury of those unwilling to accept change.

It also examines the pressures placed on young athletes and the moral complexities of standing up for what is right in the face of opposition. 

Writing Style

Fredrik Backman uses multiple perspectives to give readers a full picture of the story’s narrative.

Backman writes in a way that even if you have limited knowledge of hockey as a sport, as a reader, you would still have no trouble following along.

The book is written in such a way that each character and even the community itself feels real.

Backman addresses really difficult topics in this book but he does so in such an empathetic and sensitive way. With that said, since the subject matter is heavy, you should keep that in mind before you pick it up to avoid triggers.

Impact of Beartown

The novel sparks important conversations about sports culture, ethics, and the role of community in shaping individual behavior. 

Beartown was adopted into a HBO series in 2020.

What are your thoughts on this book? Have you had a chance to read it? Let us know in the comments!