Summary

As the big match approaches, the not-so-innocent pranks and incidents between the communities pile up and their mutual contempt grows deeper. By the time the last game is finally played, a resident of Beartown will be dead, and the people of both towns will be forced to wonder if, after all theyβve been through, the game they love can ever return to something simple and innocent.
Review
5 stars again
Honestly at the beginning of the book I did not predict 5 stars! For as mush as I adored Beartown the beginning of Us Against You was filled with exceptional writing and flat moments.
Yes I dare say that some passages irritated me as in βwhen do we get to the heart of the matter really?β. It was like a game of chess: you positioned all your pawns to play the game.
I loved it in Beartown but here I just wanted to rush some parts and I still donβt know why.
Us Against You is a character driven story like Beartown was. Because thatβs the human nature with its low and high, its generosity and its greed that IS the topic of the book.
It could be a book about hockey but hockey is simply an excuse to write a story about people triggered to love, to hate, to fight, to become monsters or heroes.
Fredrik Backmanβs penmanship is indomitable. He writes short chapters from different point of view. With an economy of word he conveys all the feelings and doubts his character carry with them.
The array of characters ensures that you will either recognize yourself, either your neighbor, your friend or your local politician in one of them.
He shows the inner working of violent men, of mobsters but also shows their childhood, their love for their families, their loyalty for their brothers and you can never hate the bad guy. Except maybe for the politician *does Fredrik Backman has a vendetta against politicians? LOL*.
I admired Peter in Beartown he will disappoint me in us Against You. I will see him as many sees him: a coward. Yet by the end heβll redeem himself.
I admired Kira the mama bear, the wolf in Beartown and Iβll do it once again here. She also got my commiseration as I know the sacrifices you have to do as a mother and wife.
You could also analyze the story as βThe Butterfly Effectβ as there will be plenty of events seemingly innocuous but triggering a chain reaction leading to some dramatic events.
This is a hate story. This is a story of a rivalry between two towns but even between the inhabitants within the same town as Mayaβs rape in Beartown and Kevinβs departure has left deep scars, dividing the inhabitants.
Some young men will go play for Hed, the rival town, following the coach David while my favorite characters Benji, Bobo and Amat chose to remain loyal to Beartown.
The whole book weβll see how you donβt go βthroughβ a rape but you live the rape. Again and again and again. Mayaβs rape has not only affected her but her parents as they are lots. They could not protect her and are drifting apart. It affected her little brother Leo who feels powerless and filled with rage and hatred. Heβll be pushed toward the wrong crowd. Heβll take risks.
The ripples of the drama grow and grow fueled by other secrets unearthed. They live in Beartown but sometimes youβd think itβs rather Wolftown as people are acting like a pack of wolves, never missing an opportunity to tear the βenemyβ apart.
But as hard as they fight they also protect their friends and families with all theyβve got.
I know I donβt speak much about the plot in this review but thatβs because you can read the synopsis and the plot is not whatβs important in the book. Itβs the people. Their feelings. Their reactions. Their joy and their pain. Their secrets. Their love. Their hate. And above all else their resilience.
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Have you read it? Or any other Backman’s book?
Thanks for reading!
Wonderful review!
I’m really excited to read this one π
Missed those characters from Beartown!
Great review Sophie, I haven’t read this author yet but I 100% agree that sometimes the plot doesn’t matter because the characters are so awesome!!
Exactly! And thank you Trisy <3
I have not read this author before, but with such a glowing review it sounds like I need to! =D
I think you’ll love him Daisy!
Great review, Sophie! This sounds like a great read! π
Thank you raven and it is!
Gaaah I’ve heard nothing but great reviews about Backman’s books, everyone seems to love them!! I need to read his book soon, great review as always Sophie!
Thank you so much Carolina!!!
I’ve not read this author before. Sounds like I need to fix that. Fabulous review!
Thank you so much Laura!
What a wonderful review, Sophie, I am so happy you enjoyed this book so much, you make it sound so good! I really like stories focused on the characters a whole lot, they tend to end up of my favorites shelf, too π
Thank you for sharing! π
You are most welcome Marie and thank you so much!
I agree, Beartown was an excellent read but this started a bit flat for me but then it overshot and became one of my favorite reads for the year! I have read all Backman’s books except for My Grandma told me to say she’s sorry!
So you experienced the book like I did Hamad? Fantastic! I was not imagining the rocky beginning then π