Beartown by Fredrik Backman - A Review

Beartown by Fredrik Backman is about a small town obsessed with its junior hockey team, but it’s really about so much more—community, loyalty, morality, and what it means to stand up for what’s right, even when it’s hard. The story kicks off with a shocking moment—a teenager pointing a gun at another—and from there, Backman slowly pulls you into the lives of everyone in this tiny town, where dreams, secrets, and tensions are all tied to hockey.

The town itself feels so real. You can practically see the snow, hear the ice in the rink, and feel the pressure everyone carries. I came to care about the characters so much—the people you root for, like Benji and his loving but chaotic family, and the ones you love to hate, like Kevin and his cold, controlling parents. Everyone has layers, and the way Backman shows their struggles and choices really makes you think about human nature.

This isn’t an easy read. The book deals with some heavy stuff—rape culture, toxic masculinity, peer pressure, and the silence that protects the powerful. But Backman doesn’t lecture, he just shows the messy reality of people trying to survive, protect themselves, and hold onto their town. The way the story is told jumps around a bit between characters and viewpoints, which takes some getting used to, but it’s worth it for the depth it adds.

The beginning is a slow build as you get to know the town and its people. But once you’re in, you’re hooked. The story is emotional, frustrating, heartbreaking, and hopeful all at once.

Beartown isn’t just about hockey—it’s about people, courage, and the price of doing the right thing. I’ll be thinking about it for a long time, and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

★★★★☆

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