really amazing plot and characters !! complex familial relations and a mystery!! but the ending was kinda bleh !! i wanted more drama!!

"You see, doing one thing differently is very often the same as doing everything differently." I bought this book because of its cover, but like the midnight library, I was moved by and in awe of what was inside. The feeling of regret is real and Haig doesn't invalidate that, but he does question what it's all for. As Nora discovers love, life, and herself, you will be forced to go on that journey with her and walk away realizing something about the way you live your life and the urge to change it in some way. Haig's personal love for Nora that bleeds through the pages is contagious and she will become one of your favorite characters ever. The novel is both incredibly satisfying, while also leaving you wanting a little bit more.

I’m speechless. This book was amazing. And so so so beautiful. It was gut wrenching in the absolute right way and I have so much love for it. The characters are perfect; the plot is perfect; the writing is perfect; the social and political commentary is perfect. I’m obsessed and everyone needs to read this right now.

4.5!!!

How beautiful and gut-wrenching and warm and introspective this story was. Backman’s writing is poetic and every line is noteworthy. It’s too easy to fumble a story like this and yet, Backman’s clear love for this town and these people and this sport seeps through the pages and makes you fall in love with every aspect of it. And his great ability to rip that love out from under you so quickly is shocking. “Beartown’s” strength is carried by the stories of people and their families- a mother’s love for her son, a daughter’s love for her parents, a boys courage ignited by his sisters and mother- in a town that loves a sport. The end is maddening and heartbreaking but also just (sorta) and inspiring and I’m still mourning having to close the book on this town where a boy’s abuse of power and a girl’s found power tears apart as many people as it does bring them together. I highly, highly recommend this one. Now, onto Benji’s story.