Flashback Reviews: Beartown & Us Against You
“Beartown” and “Us Against You” represented two of my most surprising reads in 2019.
After finishing "A Man Called Ove," which lacked charm and originality (unpopular opinion acknowledged), I didn't feel the need to give Backman another try, but my husband read “Beartown” and couldn’t stop raving about it, so begrudgingly I gave it a listen; it was a damn near masterpiece.
“Beartown” presents a rich, complex and frustrating story that should be debated and discussed for years. It is a cautionary tale and reminder of how to treat one another at the end of the day and should become required reading/listening for those that participate in youth sports both as parents and participants.
Even as difficult as aspects of the story were to stomach, when it was over (that ending —oof!), I needed to know what happened to the characters and town next, so I was ecstatic that a sequel had already been published.
Whereas “Beartown” was layered, complex and presented many ambiguous scenarios — especially once the central story started to unfold — in “Us Against You” the stakes just aren't that high, but you're still led to believe they are in acts of emotional manipulation by Backman.
There was too much time dedicated to new characters that you're expected to care for before given a reason, which detracted from the carryover characters, which in my case, were the ones I really wanted to read about, specifically Benji Ovich (#16).
For me, Benji is one of the main reasons to read the series. He is a complex LGBTQ+ teen with a narrative that was instantly relatable. I also spent my youth involved in team sports, sometimes at an elite level, and remember the fear, shame and desire to outperform all of my teammates to offset any questions that might arise about my masculinity or sexuality as I was trying to figure those things out myself.
And while these are sports stories, you certainly don’t need to be a sports lover to enjoy them. More than anything they are about community, and the need to look out for one another even if you disagree. A lesson that’s even more relevant in 2020.
2022 Update: Check out my review of the series’ conclusion “The Winners”
Beartown
100-Word (or Less) Synopsis: In Beartown, hockey is king and after years of let downs a team is assembled that can finally bring glory back. When the coaches’ daughter is assaulted by the star player, the town takes sides and humanity is exposed at its worst – and best.
Expectation: A slow-burn, quasi-intellectual exploration of life in a small town.
Reality: A damn near masterpiece with many strong characters, thoroughly explored moral dilemmas and an ending that will stop your heart.
Recommended For: Fans of stories told from multiple points of view. Also readers that enjoy stories about sports and/or small town gossip.
Why I Read It: My husband couldn’t stop talking about it.
Original review:
It is difficult to summarize the scope and emotional pull of "Beartown," because the story is simple and straightforward, but the characters that inhabit Beartown — a proxy for any sports-obsessed small town in the world — are proud, complex, imperfect and real.
You cannot read "Beartown" without thinking about your own experiences and that's the genius in what Backman does with the many (sometimes too many) characters that alternate viewpoints.
There are heroes and villains, but like real-life, the side you fall on depends on your own ambitions. This is a story for the Me Too age, and it illustrates, frustratingly so, the double-standards that exist when it comes to boys and girls.
I'm glad there is a sequel, because as difficult as this story was to swallow at certain points, I need to know what happens next. Also, who wants to join the #16 fan club with me?
One of my recommended reads for Pride 2020.
Rating (story): 5/5 stars
Rating (narration): 5/5 stars
Format: Audiobook (library loan); book later purchased or personal library
Dates read: February 12 – 17, 2019
Multi-tasking: Okay at points. You’ll want to pay close attention to the last third.
Us Against You
100-Word (or Less) Synopsis: Beartown is still recovering from the incident in the first book when they learn their beloved hockey club is at risk for closing since most of star players now play for the competing town. But, a new “unconventional” coach and some fresh blood show the “Bears from Beartown” won’t go down without a fight.
Expectation: A continuation of the “Beartown” narrative with some new points of view.
Reality: An almost completely new cast of characters and few references to the original characters and plot.
Recommended For: Fans of the original but temper your expectations.
Why I Read It: Because “Beartown” became one of my favorite reads of all time.
Original review:
Sequels are inherently difficulty to pull-off in any medium but even more so in literature, where an author needs to match or exceed the connection readers already have with the characters. While there are times "Us Against You" meets that goal, there are more times it doesn't. I still enjoyed the next chapter in the Beartown saga mainly because I loved "Beartown" so much.
There is too much time dedicated to new characters that you're expected to care for before given a reason, and I noticed a few nitpicky inconsistencies in Backman's storytelling that an editor could have easily corrected.
What started to annoy me the most was Backman's repeated use of profound statements to introduce situations (e.g. “Sons want their fathers' attention until the precise moment when fathers want their sons'.”) A little of this can go a long way, but "Us" becomes bloated with them (much like Markus Zusak's horrible "Bridge of Clay") and it dulls the true impact of the narrative.
Still, I'd go for a third visit to Beartown if given the opportunity. Oh, and my #16 fan club membership is still firmly in place.
Rating (story): 3.5/5 stars
Rating (narration): 5/5 stars
Format: Audiobook (library loan); book later purchased or personal library
Dates read: May 29 – June 9, 2019
Multi-tasking: Good to go.
