Angie

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Angie is Currently Reading

Angie is currently reading

Beartown (Beartown, #1)

by Fredrik Backman (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: 2025, 5-stars, abuse, favorites, loved, made-me-cry, must-read-again, fiction, currently-reading

Reading for the 2nd time

read in February 2025

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Angie said: " 5/5 stars

This book was excellent. An emotional rollercoaster that wasn't always easy to read but so worth it. I don't know what to write because I have so much to say about what I loved.

The most distinguishable element I loved in this book is the wri 5/5 stars

This book was excellent. An emotional rollercoaster that wasn't always easy to read but so worth it. I don't know what to write because I have so much to say about what I loved.

The most distinguishable element I loved in this book is the writing. I have never read a book with this type of storytelling. To be fair, I don't often read literary fiction so I can't say if it's special for everyone or just for me but I loved Fredrik Backman's writing style. The beginning of the book demanded a lot of concentration because you meet a plethora of different characters. I had a hard time remembering who was who because the POV would change quickly. I started writing on my phone the name and a brief description of every characters we met and ended up with 28 characters, and this isn't even all of them because I stopped adding on my list once I got comfortable with these 28 characters. Having all these different POVs, seeing one single event through many different eyes made this story much more real. I can't put into words how amazing this kind of storytelling is but just know that it hits much harder and much deeper. The range of emotion you feel because you are in various perspectives showed the complexity of humans in a community. I was simultaneously frustrated, compassionate, angry, sad, happy and emotional throughout this whole book, especially the second half.

There were many quotes that that hit hard. Not simply because they were beautifully written (although some were of course), but because they made you think and reflect. It was at times hard to read because this book showed the sad reality of how people react when a traumatic event happens. The victim blaming, shaming and shunning from the community, all while justifying and defending the perpetrator simply because it is easier. Or "not taking sides" by not saying anything, which is also taking a side. Definitely check the trigger warning because it is rough.

The characters go through so much and have so much depth. All from different backgrounds, with different upbringings. I love that the strongest characters in the end are also those who are the weakest in a way.

I cannot wait to read the rest of the series but am also sacred of the emotional impact it will have on me.

*****

Would I recommend this to others? Yes if you can handle it
Would I reread this? Absolutely
Is this book forgettable? No ...more "

progress:

(44%)
"I am not ok" — Feb 15, 2025 07:15AM

Feb 18, 2025 01:53AM · see review