Book Review: Beartown

Wow!

One words sums up my thoughts after reading Beartown. Very few books leave a reader hanging in a sense, wanting more, needing answers like this title did. The feeling is similar to the thoughts felt at the end of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, only definitely not as shocking.

Beartown was a book club selection and one that remained on my to-read list after reading numerous reviews. Two of my coworkers raved about it. Life happened the week of the meeting and I was unable to attend, so I missed the discussion, which disappointed me. The book was so engaging – difficult to put down yet difficult to read at the same time because of the gut-wrenching emotions it evoked.

Writing a review for this title is hard and I have been contemplating it for more than a week. There is so much to say but so much that the reader needs to experience. In a way, the title is a thriller that continues to build until the very last page. That is a lot to provide reader’s advisory of in one small review. I almost feel that the author did not want to provide much in terms of a summary. The book jacket and many of the reviews are limited, which just makes reading it so much better. I had no idea what to expect.

Therefore, here are some of my thoughts regarding the book...

Beartown is a small community in the woods where life revolves around hockey. When the junior team wins the semi-final, the town realizes the potential that awaits – business deals, a new hockey academy and more housing. The fate of the town rests on the shoulders of these young men. Boys that do not even know a world without hockey and are under constant pressure from parents, the board, the sponsors and the coaches - to succeed to become professional, to save the town, to become strong men.

At a celebratory party following the game, an alleged sexual assault happens between the team's most promising player, Kevin, and the daughter of the club’s general manager, Maya. The tragedy shatters the town…blame is analyzed, revenge is contemplated and two teenager’s lives change forever. Jobs are on the line, friendships broken and families torn apart. All prompting the questions - how important is the game to the players? To the town?

There is bullying among the boys from the very beginning but it quickly turns dangerous after the party stemming from the dichotomy of race and class on the team. The team spends as much time together as brothers but there is no equality other than that they all play for the same team. They make clear distinctions between those with money and without, those of different races, those who understand the difference between right and wrong. Some of the bullying was the hardest parts to read, breaking my heart when Lyt and some of the other boys attack Amat with a pipe. However, Bobo shows his true colors when he becomes a traitor to his team and stands up for his new friend, Amat. The bullying, regardless of if it followed the sexual assault or not, is not stopped by the parents, coaches, etc. because the team members can do know wrong and look what they are doing for the town. And what kind of example are the adults showing when they show some of the same behaviors...

The book is well written. I love books that feature different points of view from each of the characters. This is much different from the typical format though. The section might only be a sentence or a short paragraph all merged in one chapter. It was interesting, kept the story moving. In addition, I did not realize some of the moments but there is a lot of foreshadowing done by the author, some more noticeable as you read.

I both loved and hated the ending. I craved more. I had unanswered questions. The author set up many plot lines that remained open. Of the four remaining players in Beartown...who died, who was the dad an who went professional? What happened if the teams in Beartown and Hed met in future games? What happened to the club? What happened to the parents? So many questions that actually could have answers awaiting, because the sequel comes out this summer in Sweden, so shortly after in America hopefully!

I will stop rambling now. I feel like this post ended up more of ramble than a clear thought out post, which it should have been for the time I spent on it.

I would definitely recommend this novel to almost anyone. It’s a thriller, it’s a sports story, it’s a coming of age tale, it’s a lesson in parenting. It’s an easy read that is hard to put down, so go check it out today at the library! Don’t wait!

Happy Reading!

Review to wait for in March: Little Women and FDR on this Houseboat