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Beartown #3
The Winners
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Fiction (2022)Two years have passed since the events that no one wants to think about. Everyone has tried to move on, but there’s something about this place that prevents it. The residents continue to grapple with life’s big questions: What is a family? What is a community? And what, if anything, are we willing to sacrifice in order to protect them?
As the locals of Beartown struggle to overcome the past, great change is on the horizon. Someone is coming home after a long time away. Someone will be laid to rest. Someone will fall in love, someone will try to fix their marriage, and someone will do anything to save their children. Someone will submit to hate, someone will fight, and someone will grab a gun and walk towards the ice rink.
So what are the residents of Beartown willing to sacrifice for their home?
As the locals of Beartown struggle to overcome the past, great change is on the horizon. Someone is coming home after a long time away. Someone will be laid to rest. Someone will fall in love, someone will try to fix their marriage, and someone will do anything to save their children. Someone will submit to hate, someone will fight, and someone will grab a gun and walk towards the ice rink.
So what are the residents of Beartown willing to sacrifice for their home?
671 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2022
About the author
Fredrik Backman
35 books70.4k followersFredrik Backman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove (soon to be a major motion picture starring Tom Hanks), My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, Britt-Marie Was Here, Beartown, Us Against You, as well as two novellas, And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer and The Deal of a Lifetime. Things My Son Needs to Know About the World, his first work of non-fiction, will be released in the US in May 2019. His books are published in more than forty countries. He lives in Stockholm, Sweden, with his wife and two children. Connect with him on Twitter @BackmanLand or on Instagram @backmansk.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 15,598 reviews
March 7, 2024
This book is an all-time winner!
Fredrik Backman ruined every other book for me by creating this extraordinary masterpiece that left me speechless! It's a dreamy reading journey for bookworms who love to lose themselves in a well-written story.
This book shattered me. It awakened so many different feelings in me that I didn’t know I had. But one thing is for sure: I haven't cried so hard in a long time! The characters Backman created will hold a special place in my heart forever!
Now I can hardly enjoy any other books in comparison to "We are Winners"! I don't have enough words to describe how much I love this book!
I was surprised when I found out the third book in the Beartown series was coming out! I thought all my favorite characters' stories had concluded, including Peter, Ramona, Maya, Anna, Benji, Amat, Bobo, and Kira… I couldn't have been more wrong!
There was more to tell, especially with that ominous opening that warned us that something extremely ominous would rip our hearts apart! I just read the words and started to scream, "No!!" Those words were about the fate of one of my favorite characters in this book. Tears had already started to drip down my face, my fists clenched. This was shocking, this was sad, but I couldn't stop reading! I owed it to my favorite characters to go on!
I kept reading because this book is not only about loss and grief; it's about the power of darkness, how it takes control of ordinary people, how grudges and anger can force people to do things beyond their control. It's about how good people can be capable of great evil, and how evil people can be capable of great good.
This book is about corruption, abuse, rape, politics, power, money, hypocrisy, and pure rage! But it's also about the eternal flame of friendship, doing wrong things to do the right thing, love, parenthood, community, hockey, second chances, and, most importantly, forgiveness, paying your dues, and embracing your community, family, and loved ones!
We thought it was a chivalrous move when Peter left his position at the hockey club to work with his wife, Kira. We couldn't have been more wrong! Peter struggles. He bakes bread to feed the emptiness growing inside of him. He misses being someone, the plays, the manager. He even misses being a father after Maya left the house. Kira struggles too. She works more, has financial problems, and keeps secrets from her husband.
We thought Maya saved her soul with her music. Yes, she left the town two years ago, just like her rapist did. Leaving town and memories behind to find a new home and studying music didn't fix Maya! She still suffers, still lives with the haunted night, still feels the pain Kevin gave her over and over again.
We thought Amat was over the moon after becoming the star of the hockey team. Nope! He's suffering. There are rumors that he failed at NFL meetings, he's faking his injury, and he's not going to be a member of the team anymore. He's a useless drunk who hates himself.
And Benji… he left town for good like Maya did. But is he having the time of his life? He escaped to Asia because Asian people weren't interested in hockey. So he aimed to be a nobody, getting skinnier, running away from attachments, drifting apart.
Bobo became the assistant coach, still hopeful for Amat's return to the rinks, trying to woo a Hed girl with his cooking skills.
As the story unfolds, we see the characters facing their own demons and struggles while also dealing with the new challenges that arise. The plot twists and turns, leaving the reader constantly guessing what will happen next.
One of the most powerful themes of the book is the idea of redemption and forgiveness. Many of the characters have made mistakes in the past, but they are given a chance to make amends and start fresh. Backman shows us that even the most broken people can find a way to heal and move forward.
Another important theme is the idea of community and the power of coming together to support one another. The characters in the book may have their differences, but when they are faced with a crisis, they all come together to help each other out. It's a powerful message about the importance of putting aside our differences and working towards a common goal.
Overall, "We Are the Winners" is a powerful and moving book that will stay with readers long after they've finished reading it. Backman's writing is masterful, and he creates characters that are so real and relatable that it's impossible not to feel for them. This is a book that will make you laugh, cry, and ultimately leave you feeling inspired.
Millions of thanks to Ariele Fredman, NetGalley and Atria Books for sharing this AMAZING digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
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Fredrik Backman ruined every other book for me by creating this extraordinary masterpiece that left me speechless! It's a dreamy reading journey for bookworms who love to lose themselves in a well-written story.
This book shattered me. It awakened so many different feelings in me that I didn’t know I had. But one thing is for sure: I haven't cried so hard in a long time! The characters Backman created will hold a special place in my heart forever!
Now I can hardly enjoy any other books in comparison to "We are Winners"! I don't have enough words to describe how much I love this book!
I was surprised when I found out the third book in the Beartown series was coming out! I thought all my favorite characters' stories had concluded, including Peter, Ramona, Maya, Anna, Benji, Amat, Bobo, and Kira… I couldn't have been more wrong!
There was more to tell, especially with that ominous opening that warned us that something extremely ominous would rip our hearts apart! I just read the words and started to scream, "No!!" Those words were about the fate of one of my favorite characters in this book. Tears had already started to drip down my face, my fists clenched. This was shocking, this was sad, but I couldn't stop reading! I owed it to my favorite characters to go on!
I kept reading because this book is not only about loss and grief; it's about the power of darkness, how it takes control of ordinary people, how grudges and anger can force people to do things beyond their control. It's about how good people can be capable of great evil, and how evil people can be capable of great good.
This book is about corruption, abuse, rape, politics, power, money, hypocrisy, and pure rage! But it's also about the eternal flame of friendship, doing wrong things to do the right thing, love, parenthood, community, hockey, second chances, and, most importantly, forgiveness, paying your dues, and embracing your community, family, and loved ones!
We thought it was a chivalrous move when Peter left his position at the hockey club to work with his wife, Kira. We couldn't have been more wrong! Peter struggles. He bakes bread to feed the emptiness growing inside of him. He misses being someone, the plays, the manager. He even misses being a father after Maya left the house. Kira struggles too. She works more, has financial problems, and keeps secrets from her husband.
We thought Maya saved her soul with her music. Yes, she left the town two years ago, just like her rapist did. Leaving town and memories behind to find a new home and studying music didn't fix Maya! She still suffers, still lives with the haunted night, still feels the pain Kevin gave her over and over again.
We thought Amat was over the moon after becoming the star of the hockey team. Nope! He's suffering. There are rumors that he failed at NFL meetings, he's faking his injury, and he's not going to be a member of the team anymore. He's a useless drunk who hates himself.
And Benji… he left town for good like Maya did. But is he having the time of his life? He escaped to Asia because Asian people weren't interested in hockey. So he aimed to be a nobody, getting skinnier, running away from attachments, drifting apart.
Bobo became the assistant coach, still hopeful for Amat's return to the rinks, trying to woo a Hed girl with his cooking skills.
As the story unfolds, we see the characters facing their own demons and struggles while also dealing with the new challenges that arise. The plot twists and turns, leaving the reader constantly guessing what will happen next.
One of the most powerful themes of the book is the idea of redemption and forgiveness. Many of the characters have made mistakes in the past, but they are given a chance to make amends and start fresh. Backman shows us that even the most broken people can find a way to heal and move forward.
Another important theme is the idea of community and the power of coming together to support one another. The characters in the book may have their differences, but when they are faced with a crisis, they all come together to help each other out. It's a powerful message about the importance of putting aside our differences and working towards a common goal.
Overall, "We Are the Winners" is a powerful and moving book that will stay with readers long after they've finished reading it. Backman's writing is masterful, and he creates characters that are so real and relatable that it's impossible not to feel for them. This is a book that will make you laugh, cry, and ultimately leave you feeling inspired.
Millions of thanks to Ariele Fredman, NetGalley and Atria Books for sharing this AMAZING digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
medium blog
October 17, 2022
there are stories that make you feel everything. and then there are stories that leave you empty.
this story is both.
and its all because of benji.
if you have read the previous two books in the beartown series, your heart will already belong to him. you will know the boy with the sad eyes and the wild heart. you will know the kind of person he is.
i really wish this book had kept its original title ‘those who run towards fire,’ because thats benji. hes the sort of person who runs toward a fire. no hesitation, no questions, he just runs. people like that are rare, but you know who they are when you see them. and those of you who know benji probably knew deep down that he was never the sort of person who would get a happy ending.
obviously we still hoped. oh, how we hoped.
this final book, this ending, benjis ending, hurts too much to touch with words.
but thank you, fredrik backman, for giving it to us all the same.
my endless gratitude for the ARC, atria books.
↠ 5 stars
this story is both.
and its all because of benji.
if you have read the previous two books in the beartown series, your heart will already belong to him. you will know the boy with the sad eyes and the wild heart. you will know the kind of person he is.
i really wish this book had kept its original title ‘those who run towards fire,’ because thats benji. hes the sort of person who runs toward a fire. no hesitation, no questions, he just runs. people like that are rare, but you know who they are when you see them. and those of you who know benji probably knew deep down that he was never the sort of person who would get a happy ending.
obviously we still hoped. oh, how we hoped.
this final book, this ending, benjis ending, hurts too much to touch with words.
but thank you, fredrik backman, for giving it to us all the same.
my endless gratitude for the ARC, atria books.
↠ 5 stars
Want to read
June 6, 2022i'm prepared to sell half of my soul to the devil just for a confirmation that this book will be about benji
November 17, 2022
I love Fredrik Backman and have read everything he has written!! I loved “Beartown” and enjoyed it immensely, I thought it was a complete book on its own. Then I read “Us Against You'' and it was just alright for me, there were some new highlights and I was good with it.
When I saw that Mr. Backman had a third book out, of course I grabbed it. I wish I would have checked the length of the book first, at 688 pages this is a LOT of book to get through.
I’m going to do a Pros and Cons on this one because my thoughts are all over the place and if you love this book – don’t read on, and please don’t hate me.
PROS:
The characters are wonderful and I loved seeing them again.
I really enjoyed the storm and liked that it started with a bang!! I wish he would have played with this tension and kept it going because I didn’t feel it.
The setting is so well described it actually made me feel claustrophobic, but I could relate to the snowstorm. I enjoyed watching everyone coming together to help each other – this is the side of the town that I always loved.
CONS:
Seriously I don’t think we needed a book #3. Instead of feeling all excited to see what was coming next, the book is bogged down in repetition. Repetition of what the characters went through before – which I already knew. Repetition of how the two towns HATED EACH OTHER!!
I’m going to just say it – THE BOOK WAS TOO LONG!! These characters must be so special to Mr. Backman that he felt he needed to tie everything up. He is a master storyteller, but at almost 700 pages I was definitely skimming pages to get to the end.
I was incredibly tired of the politics, the scheming, the money involved in building the new club, etc etc etc. I’m calling it BEARTOWN BURNOUT!!
I know small towns, we have so many in my state. I know they love their local baseball, basketball or whatever teams – it’s fun. However I didn’t feel much fun here, either being had by the players, their families or those watching the games. Surely they must have other things in their life?? I just didn’t buy it, I’m probably wrong and there is a town just like this somewhere in Sweden. If there is, I hope that they learn to love other things besides hockey – because that’s a pretty narrow life, isn’t it??
I will always be a Fredrik Backman fan, this one just didn’t move me as his others have.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiiss. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.
When I saw that Mr. Backman had a third book out, of course I grabbed it. I wish I would have checked the length of the book first, at 688 pages this is a LOT of book to get through.
I’m going to do a Pros and Cons on this one because my thoughts are all over the place and if you love this book – don’t read on, and please don’t hate me.
PROS:
The characters are wonderful and I loved seeing them again.
I really enjoyed the storm and liked that it started with a bang!! I wish he would have played with this tension and kept it going because I didn’t feel it.
The setting is so well described it actually made me feel claustrophobic, but I could relate to the snowstorm. I enjoyed watching everyone coming together to help each other – this is the side of the town that I always loved.
CONS:
Seriously I don’t think we needed a book #3. Instead of feeling all excited to see what was coming next, the book is bogged down in repetition. Repetition of what the characters went through before – which I already knew. Repetition of how the two towns HATED EACH OTHER!!
I’m going to just say it – THE BOOK WAS TOO LONG!! These characters must be so special to Mr. Backman that he felt he needed to tie everything up. He is a master storyteller, but at almost 700 pages I was definitely skimming pages to get to the end.
I was incredibly tired of the politics, the scheming, the money involved in building the new club, etc etc etc. I’m calling it BEARTOWN BURNOUT!!
I know small towns, we have so many in my state. I know they love their local baseball, basketball or whatever teams – it’s fun. However I didn’t feel much fun here, either being had by the players, their families or those watching the games. Surely they must have other things in their life?? I just didn’t buy it, I’m probably wrong and there is a town just like this somewhere in Sweden. If there is, I hope that they learn to love other things besides hockey – because that’s a pretty narrow life, isn’t it??
I will always be a Fredrik Backman fan, this one just didn’t move me as his others have.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiiss. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.
April 25, 2022
It took me a while to catch my breath in the end, to absorb all that happened in this third and final book of the Beartown series. If you are a fan of the first two books, I suspect you will want to know what happened now that two years have passed since what happened to Maya, what happened in this town, to these families, to these characters - Benji, Ana, Ramona, Maya, Bobo, Peter, Amat, Sune and others and you will welcome the new characters. I had to know and for me this is the best of the three.
I lived in the Swedish forest towns of Beartown and Hed once again. These are hockey towns and I’m not even a hockey fan, but these stories are about so much more than hockey . These stories are about family, friendships, community, about people’s flaws and strengths. They are about tragedies, about loss, about the ties that bind people during hard times, about tough politics, about some bad actors, too . They are a slice of life in small Swedish towns, near the forest, where hockey reigns and shapes daily life. But the things that happen here can happen anywhere - drugs, alcohol , deaths, rape and sexual violence, dysfunctional families, troubled marriages. This is not an easy book to read. I was gutted at times. Thankfully, there are genuine friendships, and love and even though that doesn’t erase the pain, it somehow makes it a little easier to bear.
I can’t say that the book was perfect. The parts about the corruption, the politics, the sponsors, the schemes to save the teams, the towns was a bit much at times and honestly confusing. Having said that, the strength of this story lies in Backman’s keen observation of human nature, his empathy for the human condition and in creating characters that I loved. I was grateful to know what happens to them and how their lives will be in the future. I didn’t realize how much I missed these characters until I started reading this book . Now that the Beartown trilogy has ended I miss them even more. It’s hard to say goodbye to characters that you love, but it won’t be goodbye because they will be with me for a long time. That in itself is worthy of all the stars.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Atria Books through NetGalley.
I lived in the Swedish forest towns of Beartown and Hed once again. These are hockey towns and I’m not even a hockey fan, but these stories are about so much more than hockey . These stories are about family, friendships, community, about people’s flaws and strengths. They are about tragedies, about loss, about the ties that bind people during hard times, about tough politics, about some bad actors, too . They are a slice of life in small Swedish towns, near the forest, where hockey reigns and shapes daily life. But the things that happen here can happen anywhere - drugs, alcohol , deaths, rape and sexual violence, dysfunctional families, troubled marriages. This is not an easy book to read. I was gutted at times. Thankfully, there are genuine friendships, and love and even though that doesn’t erase the pain, it somehow makes it a little easier to bear.
I can’t say that the book was perfect. The parts about the corruption, the politics, the sponsors, the schemes to save the teams, the towns was a bit much at times and honestly confusing. Having said that, the strength of this story lies in Backman’s keen observation of human nature, his empathy for the human condition and in creating characters that I loved. I was grateful to know what happens to them and how their lives will be in the future. I didn’t realize how much I missed these characters until I started reading this book . Now that the Beartown trilogy has ended I miss them even more. It’s hard to say goodbye to characters that you love, but it won’t be goodbye because they will be with me for a long time. That in itself is worthy of all the stars.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Atria Books through NetGalley.
Read
March 16, 2020THERE'S ANOTHER ONE??? GIMME
September 28, 2022
5 stars for the characters, 3 stars for the plot
“This hurts too much to touch with words.”
The Winners is the conclusion to the Beartown saga. In this installment, someone dies, a celebrated hero returns, and a little girl becomes the symbol of hope for a town devastated by a violent act.
There is no point in reading The Winners if you haven’t read Beartownand Us Against You.
This wasn’t a lovefest for me. Coming in at a little under 700 pages, this book was too long-- parts were repetitive, and some of the storylines were dragged out, whereas others were not given enough attention. It is an understatement to say that the narrative was uneven.
Similar to books one and two, the narrative alternated between characters, with many allusions to the past and future. Backman likes to highlight connections, from the obvious to the minute, which made this a slow and tedious read.
I didn’t love the first half, and there were even times that I had to force myself to continue reading. While I loved reuniting with the characters, it was a long ride to get to the end.
But my love for the characters kept me reading. They are the best part of this series. I think I love them a little too much!
The last 20% filled me with dread. I knew what was coming, but I refused to believe it. This part of the book is also the heart of the book, as readers have to say goodbye. After finishing this book, I am an emotional mess. Saying goodbye to these characters was harder than I thought.
The journey to get there was long and harrowing but worth it in the end. This series has touched my heart, and the characters have made a mark. As hard as the ending was to read, it was, in essence, perfect.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Atria Books in exchange for an honest review.
“This hurts too much to touch with words.”
The Winners is the conclusion to the Beartown saga. In this installment, someone dies, a celebrated hero returns, and a little girl becomes the symbol of hope for a town devastated by a violent act.
There is no point in reading The Winners if you haven’t read Beartownand Us Against You.
This wasn’t a lovefest for me. Coming in at a little under 700 pages, this book was too long-- parts were repetitive, and some of the storylines were dragged out, whereas others were not given enough attention. It is an understatement to say that the narrative was uneven.
Similar to books one and two, the narrative alternated between characters, with many allusions to the past and future. Backman likes to highlight connections, from the obvious to the minute, which made this a slow and tedious read.
I didn’t love the first half, and there were even times that I had to force myself to continue reading. While I loved reuniting with the characters, it was a long ride to get to the end.
But my love for the characters kept me reading. They are the best part of this series. I think I love them a little too much!
The last 20% filled me with dread. I knew what was coming, but I refused to believe it. This part of the book is also the heart of the book, as readers have to say goodbye. After finishing this book, I am an emotional mess. Saying goodbye to these characters was harder than I thought.
The journey to get there was long and harrowing but worth it in the end. This series has touched my heart, and the characters have made a mark. As hard as the ending was to read, it was, in essence, perfect.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Atria Books in exchange for an honest review.
September 24, 2022
"Live on"
"What is life, other than moments? What is laughter, other than a small victory over sorrow? A single moment, just one, when everything inside us isn't broken."
I'm not sure what I can say that will adequately express my feelings about this book. Backman's writing isn't for everyone, but it sure resonates with me.
If you would have told me when I first picked up Beartown that I would love a book about hockey, I would have looked at you like you had a hole in your head. But this trilogy has wormed its way into my heart and is about so much more than hockey.
This is a series about family, friendship, belonging, fighting for yourself and what is right, learning how to compromise, loving and leaving and losing. And ultimately winning.
This book is long, and it is like sitting back and listening to someone tell you a story. You aren't right in the middle of the action most of the time, but that's Backman's writing style. The characters will annoy you and you will also love them. And they will break your heart.
I spent the last 15% of this book mostly in tears. And I knew I would because the story was leading up to it. I approached it with a sense of dread that I've never felt while reading. That's how much these characters mean to me.
I read this one in print because I didn't get access to an early audiobook, but if you get the chance, you should listen to it because Marin Ireland's voice was the one I heard in my head while I was reading. I had listened to the previous two novels as audiobooks and they are amazing that way.
Just go read this series, but prepare yourself equally for tragedy and triumph.
"We are a people who tell stories, who try to use stories to put what we have experienced into some sort of context, to explain what we have been fighting about in the hope that it will excuse what we have done. But stories reveal both the very best of us and the very worst, and can one ever outweigh the other? "
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
"What is life, other than moments? What is laughter, other than a small victory over sorrow? A single moment, just one, when everything inside us isn't broken."
I'm not sure what I can say that will adequately express my feelings about this book. Backman's writing isn't for everyone, but it sure resonates with me.
If you would have told me when I first picked up Beartown that I would love a book about hockey, I would have looked at you like you had a hole in your head. But this trilogy has wormed its way into my heart and is about so much more than hockey.
This is a series about family, friendship, belonging, fighting for yourself and what is right, learning how to compromise, loving and leaving and losing. And ultimately winning.
This book is long, and it is like sitting back and listening to someone tell you a story. You aren't right in the middle of the action most of the time, but that's Backman's writing style. The characters will annoy you and you will also love them. And they will break your heart.
I spent the last 15% of this book mostly in tears. And I knew I would because the story was leading up to it. I approached it with a sense of dread that I've never felt while reading. That's how much these characters mean to me.
I read this one in print because I didn't get access to an early audiobook, but if you get the chance, you should listen to it because Marin Ireland's voice was the one I heard in my head while I was reading. I had listened to the previous two novels as audiobooks and they are amazing that way.
Just go read this series, but prepare yourself equally for tragedy and triumph.
"We are a people who tell stories, who try to use stories to put what we have experienced into some sort of context, to explain what we have been fighting about in the hope that it will excuse what we have done. But stories reveal both the very best of us and the very worst, and can one ever outweigh the other? "
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
November 21, 2022
I am a huge fan of Frederick Backman. And I loved the first two books in this trilogy. At first, I was worried I wasn’t going to love this as much. It started off a little slow and took a bit to get me invested. But once it did, boy, oh, boy. If I was initially worried that 688 pages was going to be too much, I needn’t have worried.
The book starts with a colossal storm with fierce winds causing trees to fall and power to be cut. We learn early on that someone dies but not who it was. This is one of Backman’s typical ploys, teasing the reader with hints of what’s to come. In fact, as the book progresses, there are multiple sources of suspense, even after we learn who has initially died. Backman uses an anonymous omniscient narrator - if we had known, we had hoped, etc.
Backman peppers his stories with folksy wisdom that under other situations might irritate me if he wasn’t so darn spot on. So, instead, I found myself highlighting multiple passages. And oh, he does have a way with words. “The atmosphere in the locker room gradually became more jovial, because all muscles relax there, especially tongues.” He also has such an understanding of human nature.
We are privy to everyone’s life and so many just seemed tired. Everyone is keeping secrets to spare their loved ones. People who are hurting badly act out and the dominoes start to fall. The story is a tragedy in the true sense of the word.
My thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for an advance copy of this book.
The book starts with a colossal storm with fierce winds causing trees to fall and power to be cut. We learn early on that someone dies but not who it was. This is one of Backman’s typical ploys, teasing the reader with hints of what’s to come. In fact, as the book progresses, there are multiple sources of suspense, even after we learn who has initially died. Backman uses an anonymous omniscient narrator - if we had known, we had hoped, etc.
Backman peppers his stories with folksy wisdom that under other situations might irritate me if he wasn’t so darn spot on. So, instead, I found myself highlighting multiple passages. And oh, he does have a way with words. “The atmosphere in the locker room gradually became more jovial, because all muscles relax there, especially tongues.” He also has such an understanding of human nature.
We are privy to everyone’s life and so many just seemed tired. Everyone is keeping secrets to spare their loved ones. People who are hurting badly act out and the dominoes start to fall. The story is a tragedy in the true sense of the word.
My thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for an advance copy of this book.
September 27, 2022
The Winners by Fredrik Backman
(Beartown #3)
How could I stay away? My favorite characters are back and I wanted all things to be right with the world. But I knew they wouldn't be because Backman has foreshadowed so much over the three books. Still, I can't look away. I think I can live with there not being another book. That if I stop looking at the lives of these people, maybe they can go on living in some kind of peace.
A death brings Maya and Benji back to Beartown. Both are embraced, both have been missed so much. Neither of them had been doing very well away from Beartown. But they both had to leave for their own reasons and maybe the leaving is what showed them what they were missing when they came home.
Beartown and Hed are still at it but fortunes have changed. Hurts that have been simmering for a very long time are about to to boil over and break our hearts. Some will be punished, others will punish themselves, and those who don't deserve it will pay for the pain caused by others. A whole lot of pain is packed into this story but we also get glimpses of how some things will work out for a few. How the good parts of Beartown might continue, maybe differently than before and helped by those who you'd least expect to make a good difference. It's going to take me a while to work through this story and let my thoughts and feelings settle but I enjoyed the story even if I wish I could stop some of it from happening.
Published Sept 27, 2022
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
(Beartown #3)
How could I stay away? My favorite characters are back and I wanted all things to be right with the world. But I knew they wouldn't be because Backman has foreshadowed so much over the three books. Still, I can't look away. I think I can live with there not being another book. That if I stop looking at the lives of these people, maybe they can go on living in some kind of peace.
A death brings Maya and Benji back to Beartown. Both are embraced, both have been missed so much. Neither of them had been doing very well away from Beartown. But they both had to leave for their own reasons and maybe the leaving is what showed them what they were missing when they came home.
Beartown and Hed are still at it but fortunes have changed. Hurts that have been simmering for a very long time are about to to boil over and break our hearts. Some will be punished, others will punish themselves, and those who don't deserve it will pay for the pain caused by others. A whole lot of pain is packed into this story but we also get glimpses of how some things will work out for a few. How the good parts of Beartown might continue, maybe differently than before and helped by those who you'd least expect to make a good difference. It's going to take me a while to work through this story and let my thoughts and feelings settle but I enjoyed the story even if I wish I could stop some of it from happening.
Published Sept 27, 2022
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
October 1, 2022
I am verklempt. Having now read The Winners twice in the last few months, I am overcome.
First and foremost, I am and always have been astounded by how incredibly well Fredrick Backman understands people, family, friendships, relationships, human emotions, human nature, tragedy, and loss and can fictionalize life through his characters so brilliantly. How he innately understands human nature so intimately and can make me feel it through every fiber of my being such that I am left crying hysterically like a puddle on the floor.
What he shows and describes so well are the realities of marriage. The good and bad, the immense love and the intense anger. How all of it is wrapped up together and sometimes you can’t tell one from the other.
The deep and abiding love for family and friends and how heartbreaking and heartwarming both can be at the same time.
The choices we make, and the decisions that are made for us, some of which are little, some big, all of which have ramifications. Some of which are huge, and entirely unknown until they are too late.
The trials and tribulations we all go through. Some of which we have to go through alone and some of which you can’t survive without those to get you through.
How sometimes you will protect those you love above all else, no matter the consequence.
How sometimes you have to realize that though you might have differences, they don’t have to drive you apart.
How sometimes, spending time with your friends and family is all there is and sometimes, laughing, joking, smiling and playing hockey is all that matters. What else is there besides friendship, two towns, two nets, two teams, everyone gets a stick? Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.
The characters I love most in this novel (and the entire trilogy) are the ones that make me feel every single one of these emotions (and more).
They broke my heart and yet I love them desperately.
To Benji, Bobo, Ana, Ann Katrin, Ramona, Teemu, Sune, Alicia, Peter, Kira, Maya, Leo, Zackell, Hannah, Johnny & Tess:
I Stand Tall, If You Stand Tall.
To Benji Ovich - I love you with my whole heart and more.
**
So glad I got to re-read this with you Kaceey. Glad you loved this series too.
***
Oh, My Heart. Do I still have one? I’m not exactly sure. It has been wrenched out of my chest more than once reading the Beartown trilogy by Fredrik Backman and it happened once again reading The Winners, the last book in this series. To know this story is over is devastating. The only consolation I have is knowing that I can go back and re-read these books over and over again and re-visit the characters whenever I want. The Winners is a brilliant end to this series and I loved every minute.
Admittedly, while reading this novel, laughter, tears, and hysterical crying ensued.
Though I read this book as soon as I got my hands on a copy, putting my thoughts down “on paper” has taken quite some time.
I love so much about the characters and the storyline, that it’s hard to get it all out, and frankly, I don’t want to give anything away.
So what can I say? This is a story about two towns, two nets, two teams, everyone gets a stick, us against you. Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.
But you know that already, and there’s more, of course.
There’s dysfunction, family, friendship, love, loss, tragedy, human nature, the human spirit, grave mistakes, apologies, fists flying, and tears, lots of tears. Many wept by me.
*
So with that out of the way, let me talk about what I love most. Hands down, it’s the characters.
First, last and always:
Benji Ovich: I love you. I just freaking love you and think of you every single day (and yes, I know that you are a fictional character). I love the fact that you have the biggest heart on the planet. That you, Benji, love with every fiber of your being, often to your detriment. That you are the most loyal of friends, and that you love your sisters desperately and would do anything for them. That you love Beartown, its residents, and Ramona so very much. Your struggles have torn me apart, and yet you, you persevere. Just like Beartown.
Bobo: What an amazing son and brother you are! Ann-Katrin raised you so well and would be very proud. Your ability to make people laugh is one of your best traits. As soon as you pose a question to your friends, I admit to smiling, then laughing out loud, and then immediately crying like a fool. There is just something so special about you, your ability to make light of dark times and your ability to make people laugh. You’re the best friend and son anyone could ask for!
Ana: Oh Ana. You do beat all girl! You’re wild, you say the darndest things, and sometimes, frankly, you do the darndest things, but your heart - it has always been in the right place.
Ramona: My oh my. I adore your snark, your wisdom, and your loyalty for everything you hold dear. Your love for Holger, Peter, Teemu, the Bearskin Pub, and of course Hockey (who could forget Hockey?) brought tears to my eyes more than once.
Teemu: Your love and loyalty for those you keep close, including Ramona, Vidar, the Pack, and Beartown were crystal clear. While I didn’t always approve of your tactics, I truly appreciate you and how much you love those around you.
Sune: Oh how lucky Peter, Alicia, and Beartown have been. You're a gift.
Alicia: Small, but mighty, I love your perseverance and your heart. Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.
*
I love all of you and so many other characters more than I can begin to exclaim (in case it wasn’t obvious), and will miss you all very much.
While I loved The Winners, and am truly amazed at what Fredrik Backman accomplished, I wish it wasn’t over. These characters are near and dear to my heart and always will be.
To Fredrik Backman, thank you for writing these incredible novels and sharing so much of yourself with us.
Huge thanks to Ariele Friedman at Atria for the e-arc via NetGalley. Thanks also to Goodreads for the galley.
First and foremost, I am and always have been astounded by how incredibly well Fredrick Backman understands people, family, friendships, relationships, human emotions, human nature, tragedy, and loss and can fictionalize life through his characters so brilliantly. How he innately understands human nature so intimately and can make me feel it through every fiber of my being such that I am left crying hysterically like a puddle on the floor.
What he shows and describes so well are the realities of marriage. The good and bad, the immense love and the intense anger. How all of it is wrapped up together and sometimes you can’t tell one from the other.
The deep and abiding love for family and friends and how heartbreaking and heartwarming both can be at the same time.
The choices we make, and the decisions that are made for us, some of which are little, some big, all of which have ramifications. Some of which are huge, and entirely unknown until they are too late.
The trials and tribulations we all go through. Some of which we have to go through alone and some of which you can’t survive without those to get you through.
How sometimes you will protect those you love above all else, no matter the consequence.
How sometimes you have to realize that though you might have differences, they don’t have to drive you apart.
How sometimes, spending time with your friends and family is all there is and sometimes, laughing, joking, smiling and playing hockey is all that matters. What else is there besides friendship, two towns, two nets, two teams, everyone gets a stick? Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.
The characters I love most in this novel (and the entire trilogy) are the ones that make me feel every single one of these emotions (and more).
They broke my heart and yet I love them desperately.
To Benji, Bobo, Ana, Ann Katrin, Ramona, Teemu, Sune, Alicia, Peter, Kira, Maya, Leo, Zackell, Hannah, Johnny & Tess:
I Stand Tall, If You Stand Tall.
To Benji Ovich - I love you with my whole heart and more.
**
So glad I got to re-read this with you Kaceey. Glad you loved this series too.
***
Oh, My Heart. Do I still have one? I’m not exactly sure. It has been wrenched out of my chest more than once reading the Beartown trilogy by Fredrik Backman and it happened once again reading The Winners, the last book in this series. To know this story is over is devastating. The only consolation I have is knowing that I can go back and re-read these books over and over again and re-visit the characters whenever I want. The Winners is a brilliant end to this series and I loved every minute.
Admittedly, while reading this novel, laughter, tears, and hysterical crying ensued.
Though I read this book as soon as I got my hands on a copy, putting my thoughts down “on paper” has taken quite some time.
I love so much about the characters and the storyline, that it’s hard to get it all out, and frankly, I don’t want to give anything away.
So what can I say? This is a story about two towns, two nets, two teams, everyone gets a stick, us against you. Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.
But you know that already, and there’s more, of course.
There’s dysfunction, family, friendship, love, loss, tragedy, human nature, the human spirit, grave mistakes, apologies, fists flying, and tears, lots of tears. Many wept by me.
*
So with that out of the way, let me talk about what I love most. Hands down, it’s the characters.
First, last and always:
Benji Ovich: I love you. I just freaking love you and think of you every single day (and yes, I know that you are a fictional character). I love the fact that you have the biggest heart on the planet. That you, Benji, love with every fiber of your being, often to your detriment. That you are the most loyal of friends, and that you love your sisters desperately and would do anything for them. That you love Beartown, its residents, and Ramona so very much. Your struggles have torn me apart, and yet you, you persevere. Just like Beartown.
Bobo: What an amazing son and brother you are! Ann-Katrin raised you so well and would be very proud. Your ability to make people laugh is one of your best traits. As soon as you pose a question to your friends, I admit to smiling, then laughing out loud, and then immediately crying like a fool. There is just something so special about you, your ability to make light of dark times and your ability to make people laugh. You’re the best friend and son anyone could ask for!
Ana: Oh Ana. You do beat all girl! You’re wild, you say the darndest things, and sometimes, frankly, you do the darndest things, but your heart - it has always been in the right place.
Ramona: My oh my. I adore your snark, your wisdom, and your loyalty for everything you hold dear. Your love for Holger, Peter, Teemu, the Bearskin Pub, and of course Hockey (who could forget Hockey?) brought tears to my eyes more than once.
Teemu: Your love and loyalty for those you keep close, including Ramona, Vidar, the Pack, and Beartown were crystal clear. While I didn’t always approve of your tactics, I truly appreciate you and how much you love those around you.
Sune: Oh how lucky Peter, Alicia, and Beartown have been. You're a gift.
Alicia: Small, but mighty, I love your perseverance and your heart. Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.
*
I love all of you and so many other characters more than I can begin to exclaim (in case it wasn’t obvious), and will miss you all very much.
While I loved The Winners, and am truly amazed at what Fredrik Backman accomplished, I wish it wasn’t over. These characters are near and dear to my heart and always will be.
To Fredrik Backman, thank you for writing these incredible novels and sharing so much of yourself with us.
Huge thanks to Ariele Friedman at Atria for the e-arc via NetGalley. Thanks also to Goodreads for the galley.
April 7, 2024
Shut up. I'm not sobbing; you're sobbing.
August 13, 2022
Fredrik Backman concludes his extraordinary trilogy with its marvellous sense of location as we are once again immersed, this time for the last time, in the hockey obsessed Swedish forest towns of Beartown and Hed, and at almost 800 pages long we are in for quite a read as we catch up with the lives both of familiar characters and new. The first page comes as a shock, it is two years on, and people are finding it hard to move on from the past. The novel opens with the worst storm in a generation, the responses to which show the best of the forest folk as they help and support each other, a storm with hard hitting repercussions. I am not a hockey fan myself, but this trilogy is really all about the characters, with all their vulnerabilities, feelings, strengths and flaws, family, small town living and community, the trials and tribulations, and the challenges that life throws at us. It is this that Backman excels in, with his humanity and his indepth understanding, compassion towards and astute observations of people.
We return to and follow the characters that have embedded themselves in my memories, such as Benji, Maya, Ramona, Ana, Amat, Bobo, Alicia, and Sune, in this riveting story of the everyday lives, hockey, the struggle to survive, problematic families, being parents, difficulties in marriages, tragedies, losses, love, violence, drugs and drink, all elements of almost any small community. This is an intensely emotional heartbreaking rollercoaster with its fast moving shifts between the characters and the many different scenarios. There is the loss of the ice hockey roof, and the dark drama of the political machinations, corruption, 'dirty money', and criminality, and the rising conflict and tensions between Beartown and Hed. Through it all, I was completely engaged in the ins and outs, ups and downs (and there were many lows) of the stories of the characters that I am now forced to say farewell to.
One of the reasons why the Beartown trilogy resonates so deeply is the universality and familiarity of the themes to be found here, so many small town communities are defined by the love of their sports teams and often plagued by similar issues. Backman's true talent lies in the dazzling array of disparate characters, the good and the bad, that he created and developed through this incredible series and which had me gripped as I follow what happened to them, for example, after all that Maya had been through, I was so caught up with and impressed by her measured response to Kevin after she accidentally bumps into him again at the end. I think many readers, particular fans of the series, will love this too, even if it did have me in tears, and whilst this is a long read, the pages simply flew by. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
We return to and follow the characters that have embedded themselves in my memories, such as Benji, Maya, Ramona, Ana, Amat, Bobo, Alicia, and Sune, in this riveting story of the everyday lives, hockey, the struggle to survive, problematic families, being parents, difficulties in marriages, tragedies, losses, love, violence, drugs and drink, all elements of almost any small community. This is an intensely emotional heartbreaking rollercoaster with its fast moving shifts between the characters and the many different scenarios. There is the loss of the ice hockey roof, and the dark drama of the political machinations, corruption, 'dirty money', and criminality, and the rising conflict and tensions between Beartown and Hed. Through it all, I was completely engaged in the ins and outs, ups and downs (and there were many lows) of the stories of the characters that I am now forced to say farewell to.
One of the reasons why the Beartown trilogy resonates so deeply is the universality and familiarity of the themes to be found here, so many small town communities are defined by the love of their sports teams and often plagued by similar issues. Backman's true talent lies in the dazzling array of disparate characters, the good and the bad, that he created and developed through this incredible series and which had me gripped as I follow what happened to them, for example, after all that Maya had been through, I was so caught up with and impressed by her measured response to Kevin after she accidentally bumps into him again at the end. I think many readers, particular fans of the series, will love this too, even if it did have me in tears, and whilst this is a long read, the pages simply flew by. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
October 3, 2023
mini review
i finally finished. i am a fucking wreck. literally actually just a WRECK.
a beautiful, beautiful finale to my most beloved series. backman is back pulling heart strings. i laughed, i cried. i spaced out my reading for three months because i didn't want this to end. while i absolutely sobbed and felt broken and hollow (the way you do after a good book), i am so so grateful that i found this series. this series is so insanely special to me.
beartown is the first book i recommend anyone when they ask for a recommendation, and i am so so glad this book did not disappoint. one of my favorite books this entire year.
⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻
mid-read update
i've been reading this book for three months because i don't want it to end
⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻
pre-read part 2
GUESS WHO GOT THE ARC GUESS WHO GOT THE ARC
screaming AND crying I DON'T HAVE TO LEARN SWEDISH
⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻��
pre-read part 1
september 2022? guess it's time to learn swedish! totally manageable.
i finally finished. i am a fucking wreck. literally actually just a WRECK.
a beautiful, beautiful finale to my most beloved series. backman is back pulling heart strings. i laughed, i cried. i spaced out my reading for three months because i didn't want this to end. while i absolutely sobbed and felt broken and hollow (the way you do after a good book), i am so so grateful that i found this series. this series is so insanely special to me.
beartown is the first book i recommend anyone when they ask for a recommendation, and i am so so glad this book did not disappoint. one of my favorite books this entire year.
⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻
mid-read update
i've been reading this book for three months because i don't want it to end
⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻
pre-read part 2
GUESS WHO GOT THE ARC GUESS WHO GOT THE ARC
screaming AND crying I DON'T HAVE TO LEARN SWEDISH
⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻��
pre-read part 1
september 2022? guess it's time to learn swedish! totally manageable.
November 17, 2022
Gut punched and heart hurting in this finale of the Beartown triology.
Backman is back!
What I adore most about him is his knack for making you feel like you are just as much a part of the community as those who live there.
We feel the excitement of the wins, the anxiety of the losses; the strong connections that pull people together; and the vastness of space that push people apart: Right down the centre of the rink; right between Beartown & Hed.
It’s a “hopelessly simple but horribly complicated” story of a forest town of people who love hockey and a community that comes together despite their differences.
This comes full circle. Bang. Bang. Bang.
4.5⭐️
It did lag in the middle but that ending brought forgiveness.
Backman is back!
What I adore most about him is his knack for making you feel like you are just as much a part of the community as those who live there.
We feel the excitement of the wins, the anxiety of the losses; the strong connections that pull people together; and the vastness of space that push people apart: Right down the centre of the rink; right between Beartown & Hed.
It’s a “hopelessly simple but horribly complicated” story of a forest town of people who love hockey and a community that comes together despite their differences.
This comes full circle. Bang. Bang. Bang.
4.5⭐️
It did lag in the middle but that ending brought forgiveness.
May 26, 2022
2.5 ⭐
Never make things more complicated than they need to be, don’t think too much, and ideally not at all.
Perhaps that ought to apply to stories like this as well, because it shouldn’t take long to tell, it starts right here and ends in less than two weeks, and how much can happen in two hockey towns during that time?
Not much, obviously.
Only everything.
This was such a hard book for me to rate. I thought about giving it 4 stars, but I could also have given it less than 2. I might even change my rating at some point.
I was so excited about this read, but honestly I think I’ve finally reached the point with Backman’s writing where I feel that enough was enough. Same old, and more of the same old. Plus, there were a couple of things that really bothered me about this book, that I can’t talk about here.
I kind of wish I didn't even read The Winners. I started to agree with people who say Beartown should have been a standalone. So... It is what it is.
Check out my full spoiler-free review on my book blog NovelOnMyMind.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Edelweiss+ for providing me with an ARC of The Winners (Beartown #3) by Fredrik Backman in exchange for an honest review.
Never make things more complicated than they need to be, don’t think too much, and ideally not at all.
Perhaps that ought to apply to stories like this as well, because it shouldn’t take long to tell, it starts right here and ends in less than two weeks, and how much can happen in two hockey towns during that time?
Not much, obviously.
Only everything.
This was such a hard book for me to rate. I thought about giving it 4 stars, but I could also have given it less than 2. I might even change my rating at some point.
I was so excited about this read, but honestly I think I’ve finally reached the point with Backman’s writing where I feel that enough was enough. Same old, and more of the same old. Plus, there were a couple of things that really bothered me about this book, that I can’t talk about here.
I kind of wish I didn't even read The Winners. I started to agree with people who say Beartown should have been a standalone. So... It is what it is.
Check out my full spoiler-free review on my book blog NovelOnMyMind.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Edelweiss+ for providing me with an ARC of The Winners (Beartown #3) by Fredrik Backman in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2022
“You want to understand this place? Then you need to understand its connections, the way everything and everyone is tied to everything and everyone else by invisible threads of relationships and loyalties and debts: the ice rink and the factory, the hockey team and the politicians, league position and money, sports and employment opportunities, childhood friends and teammates, neighbors and colleagues and families.”
I approached The Winners, having read and loved Beartown and Us Against You (both 5⭐ reads for me), with very high expectations (Fredrik Backman himself is to blame for that!). Having already fallen in love with the characters, their stories and the small town setting, there was little doubt in my mind that I would enjoy spending more time with these characters, which I did! Much of my love for The Winners stems from my love for this series. While it is difficult to separate my thoughts on this book from my feelings about the series as a whole, I have tried my best. So here goes!
The first half of The Winners takes us through much of what has transpired in the previous two books, while introducing several new characters, both from Beartown and Hed, and continuing with the stories of Maya, Ana, Peter, Kira, Teemu, Amat, Bobo, Benji, Alicia and the rest. While a few of their stories end in disappointment and tragedy, others end on a hopeful note as we get a glimpse into the future of many of the characters beyond the timeline of the events described in this book. While on one hand, old grudges and rivalries continue to cause friction, unexpected friendships and alliances are also forged and as the narrative progresses we are taken through a roller coaster ride of emotions. I love Frederick Backman’s writing. Very few contemporary authors can write about human emotions, flawed characters and human relationships in all their complexity in words so simple yet with so much depth and compassion as Backman does. Benji and Maya return home for a funeral and we get some beautiful heartwarming moments shared between them, Ana, Bobo, Amat and new friends. I enjoyed meeting new characters like Hannah and her family and loved how Alicia’s story progressed. A lot is happening in this novel with these characters - hockey is played, a storm ravages the area, corrupt politicians and scheming businessmen try to gain the upper hand, and families come together as do friends. Unfortunately, not everyone gets a happy ending. The author prepares us for this as the story progresses and though this doesn’t come as a surprise, it is no less heart-wrenching. However, I found the repeated foreshadowing unnecessary. Done in lesser doses, it would have been just as impactful, if not more.
I do not have a problem with lengthy novels per se, provided the length is justified. Unfortunately, that is not the case with The Winners. At almost 700 pages, there was much repetition and we spend too much time talking about past events. Unless you are a fan of the series and don’t mind the wait, the narrative will take time to pull you in. In no way can this book be read as a standalone novel (despite all the details from past events shared throughout the novel) and I felt that this part could have been cut short. The second half of the book is almost perfect in its pacing, bringing the characters and their stories together leading to a satisfying (heartbreaking yes, but that was expected) ending to the series! While I would definitely rate this series a solid 5⭐, my rating for The Winners would be around 4⭐ ( 3.5+⭐ for the book and 4.5⭐ for the audio narration). I combined my reading with the wonderful audio narration by Marin Ireland which made for a delightfully immersive experience.
“What is life, other than moments? What is laughter, other than a small victory over sorrow? A single moment, just one, when everything inside us isn’t broken.”
While the first book in the series remains my favorite of all three with the second coming really close, despite its flaws I did enjoy the final book. I have laughed and cried with the characters from Beartown over the last few years. This series is no doubt one of the best I have read in recent times and one I would not hesitate to recommend. With memorable characters, heart-touching dialogue and stories that you feel personally invested in, Fredrik Backman does not disappoint! I eagerly look forward to reading more from this brilliant author in the future!
“Life goes on. It doesn’t give us any other choice.”
I approached The Winners, having read and loved Beartown and Us Against You (both 5⭐ reads for me), with very high expectations (Fredrik Backman himself is to blame for that!). Having already fallen in love with the characters, their stories and the small town setting, there was little doubt in my mind that I would enjoy spending more time with these characters, which I did! Much of my love for The Winners stems from my love for this series. While it is difficult to separate my thoughts on this book from my feelings about the series as a whole, I have tried my best. So here goes!
The first half of The Winners takes us through much of what has transpired in the previous two books, while introducing several new characters, both from Beartown and Hed, and continuing with the stories of Maya, Ana, Peter, Kira, Teemu, Amat, Bobo, Benji, Alicia and the rest. While a few of their stories end in disappointment and tragedy, others end on a hopeful note as we get a glimpse into the future of many of the characters beyond the timeline of the events described in this book. While on one hand, old grudges and rivalries continue to cause friction, unexpected friendships and alliances are also forged and as the narrative progresses we are taken through a roller coaster ride of emotions. I love Frederick Backman’s writing. Very few contemporary authors can write about human emotions, flawed characters and human relationships in all their complexity in words so simple yet with so much depth and compassion as Backman does. Benji and Maya return home for a funeral and we get some beautiful heartwarming moments shared between them, Ana, Bobo, Amat and new friends. I enjoyed meeting new characters like Hannah and her family and loved how Alicia’s story progressed. A lot is happening in this novel with these characters - hockey is played, a storm ravages the area, corrupt politicians and scheming businessmen try to gain the upper hand, and families come together as do friends. Unfortunately, not everyone gets a happy ending. The author prepares us for this as the story progresses and though this doesn’t come as a surprise, it is no less heart-wrenching. However, I found the repeated foreshadowing unnecessary. Done in lesser doses, it would have been just as impactful, if not more.
I do not have a problem with lengthy novels per se, provided the length is justified. Unfortunately, that is not the case with The Winners. At almost 700 pages, there was much repetition and we spend too much time talking about past events. Unless you are a fan of the series and don’t mind the wait, the narrative will take time to pull you in. In no way can this book be read as a standalone novel (despite all the details from past events shared throughout the novel) and I felt that this part could have been cut short. The second half of the book is almost perfect in its pacing, bringing the characters and their stories together leading to a satisfying (heartbreaking yes, but that was expected) ending to the series! While I would definitely rate this series a solid 5⭐, my rating for The Winners would be around 4⭐ ( 3.5+⭐ for the book and 4.5⭐ for the audio narration). I combined my reading with the wonderful audio narration by Marin Ireland which made for a delightfully immersive experience.
“What is life, other than moments? What is laughter, other than a small victory over sorrow? A single moment, just one, when everything inside us isn’t broken.”
While the first book in the series remains my favorite of all three with the second coming really close, despite its flaws I did enjoy the final book. I have laughed and cried with the characters from Beartown over the last few years. This series is no doubt one of the best I have read in recent times and one I would not hesitate to recommend. With memorable characters, heart-touching dialogue and stories that you feel personally invested in, Fredrik Backman does not disappoint! I eagerly look forward to reading more from this brilliant author in the future!
“Life goes on. It doesn’t give us any other choice.”
August 10, 2022
In a Nutshell: A fitting finale to one of the best series of recent years. Slow paced, thought-provoking, exhilarating, depressing, brilliant. This is literary fiction at its finest. Take a bow, Mr. Backman.
“All communities are the sum of their choices and all that holds us together in the end are our stories.”
You know the communities this quote refers to – Beartown and Hed. You know the stories of their residents – the famous and the not-so-famous, the achievers and the strugglers, the hockey fanatics and the uninterested. You know the choices they made and the sides they took so far. But you also know that when there are two aspects to a coin, more often than not, only one side can be the winner. If there is a winner at all.
Two years have passed since the incidents of ‘Beartown.’ Most of the characters we met in that story are still here, trying their best to put those dark days behind them and focus on what matters most in their lives – hockey, family, community. But we all know of the butterfly effect. Someone a long time ago made a wrong choice, and the repercussions of that tiny flutter will be seen now, in Beartown and in Hed, in the stormy chaos (both natural and manmade) that will drive the communities apart as strongly as will bring them together again. Will the result of these proceedings function as a stopgap arrangement or like a more permanent kintsugi? Only time will tell.
The book is written in typical Backman style. After completing this volume, I reread my reviews of ‘Beartown’ and ‘Us Against You’ (UAY) and was stunned to find how much of my feedback applies to ‘The Winners’ too. (That ought to prove how consistent Backman has been with this series.) It begins just as slowly. Even until the halfway mark, I was not sure where Backman was going with the multitude of tracks. But once the book crosses the 60% mark, the jigsaw picture starts making an appearance, and was I blown away or what! There are so many moments when I felt like yelling, "C'mon Backman! Blurt it out already!" There were also moments when I simply stared at the screen, not wanting to go ahead, too scared to confirm what I knew was coming. I found it tough to remember that this mammoth-sized tome covers just a fortnight, but it’s a fortnight that changes things forever.
For a 688 page book, having a slow first half means you are reading more than 300 pages of build-up. But even this build-up is so beautifully written. Backman inserts his literary flourishes and his musings in such a way that you can’t help but pause and ponder over them. If I were highlighting my favourite quotes, I am sure I would have noted more than a hundred. There are some dragged scenes, but that is inevitable in a book of this length. As always, there is plenty of foreshadowing, so you get a fair cue of what’s yet to unfurl. Let me forewarn you, not all the presages in the world can help prepare you for the outcome. The very first foreshadowing is right on page one, and it is going to shock you into disbelief.
I am sure you remember the key players – Peter, Kira, Maya and Leo; Ana; Benji and his sisters; Bobo and his family; Amat and his mom; Sune; Elizabeth Zackell; Ramona; Teemu and the Pack; and dare I forget little Alicia. The characters are etched so well that more than a year after I read UAY, I still remember all of them well and didn't need any refresher before beginning this final installment of the series. Every single one of them not just appears in this book but is also given an equal focus and a fitting send-off. Whether deserving or not, I won’t tell you, but Backman makes them all “the winners” in the way only he can.
At the same time, we do meet new characters. Some of them stay nameless throughout, just like in the first two books. Of the new entrants, Johnny, Hannah and their family entrenched themselves strongly in my heart. What an amazing family!
One cannot forget the two non-human characters that created the right atmosphere throughout this series – the towns of Beartown and Hed. With the first book being named after the former, we all unwittingly aligned ourselves with the bears from Beartown. But it is through this book that we acknowledge Hed not as the villain but as the other side of the same coin. (India-Pakistan vibes, anyone?) I loved how Backman strengthened the Beartown-Hed bond without compromising on the rivalry between them. I could have done with a little less of the political elements (which were also present in UAY), but where there is money, fame, and rivalry, there is politics; wishing it away doesn’t make it disappear.
This book simply can't be read as a standalone. It is meant to be the last of a linked series, and only therein lies its purpose. If you haven't read Beartown AND Us Against You, this book won't make any sense to you. Better begin with book 1 and proceed sequentially through this amazing literary opus.
In short (hahaha, calling this review "short" has to be a joke!), this ALMOST gave me the finale I wanted for this beloved series. I am not happy with a couple of the subtracks, but I also acknowledge that they were the best possible outcomes for those characters/situations. The Backman Brain is unparalleled in plotting, and this entire trilogy proves it.
4.5 stars. Book one remains my favourite, but this is as fabulous (and ponderous) as UAY.
My heartfelt thanks to Simon and Schuster UK and NetGalley for the DRC of ���The Winners”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
“All communities are the sum of their choices and all that holds us together in the end are our stories.”
You know the communities this quote refers to – Beartown and Hed. You know the stories of their residents – the famous and the not-so-famous, the achievers and the strugglers, the hockey fanatics and the uninterested. You know the choices they made and the sides they took so far. But you also know that when there are two aspects to a coin, more often than not, only one side can be the winner. If there is a winner at all.
Two years have passed since the incidents of ‘Beartown.’ Most of the characters we met in that story are still here, trying their best to put those dark days behind them and focus on what matters most in their lives – hockey, family, community. But we all know of the butterfly effect. Someone a long time ago made a wrong choice, and the repercussions of that tiny flutter will be seen now, in Beartown and in Hed, in the stormy chaos (both natural and manmade) that will drive the communities apart as strongly as will bring them together again. Will the result of these proceedings function as a stopgap arrangement or like a more permanent kintsugi? Only time will tell.
The book is written in typical Backman style. After completing this volume, I reread my reviews of ‘Beartown’ and ‘Us Against You’ (UAY) and was stunned to find how much of my feedback applies to ‘The Winners’ too. (That ought to prove how consistent Backman has been with this series.) It begins just as slowly. Even until the halfway mark, I was not sure where Backman was going with the multitude of tracks. But once the book crosses the 60% mark, the jigsaw picture starts making an appearance, and was I blown away or what! There are so many moments when I felt like yelling, "C'mon Backman! Blurt it out already!" There were also moments when I simply stared at the screen, not wanting to go ahead, too scared to confirm what I knew was coming. I found it tough to remember that this mammoth-sized tome covers just a fortnight, but it’s a fortnight that changes things forever.
For a 688 page book, having a slow first half means you are reading more than 300 pages of build-up. But even this build-up is so beautifully written. Backman inserts his literary flourishes and his musings in such a way that you can’t help but pause and ponder over them. If I were highlighting my favourite quotes, I am sure I would have noted more than a hundred. There are some dragged scenes, but that is inevitable in a book of this length. As always, there is plenty of foreshadowing, so you get a fair cue of what’s yet to unfurl. Let me forewarn you, not all the presages in the world can help prepare you for the outcome. The very first foreshadowing is right on page one, and it is going to shock you into disbelief.
I am sure you remember the key players – Peter, Kira, Maya and Leo; Ana; Benji and his sisters; Bobo and his family; Amat and his mom; Sune; Elizabeth Zackell; Ramona; Teemu and the Pack; and dare I forget little Alicia. The characters are etched so well that more than a year after I read UAY, I still remember all of them well and didn't need any refresher before beginning this final installment of the series. Every single one of them not just appears in this book but is also given an equal focus and a fitting send-off. Whether deserving or not, I won’t tell you, but Backman makes them all “the winners” in the way only he can.
At the same time, we do meet new characters. Some of them stay nameless throughout, just like in the first two books. Of the new entrants, Johnny, Hannah and their family entrenched themselves strongly in my heart. What an amazing family!
One cannot forget the two non-human characters that created the right atmosphere throughout this series – the towns of Beartown and Hed. With the first book being named after the former, we all unwittingly aligned ourselves with the bears from Beartown. But it is through this book that we acknowledge Hed not as the villain but as the other side of the same coin. (India-Pakistan vibes, anyone?) I loved how Backman strengthened the Beartown-Hed bond without compromising on the rivalry between them. I could have done with a little less of the political elements (which were also present in UAY), but where there is money, fame, and rivalry, there is politics; wishing it away doesn’t make it disappear.
This book simply can't be read as a standalone. It is meant to be the last of a linked series, and only therein lies its purpose. If you haven't read Beartown AND Us Against You, this book won't make any sense to you. Better begin with book 1 and proceed sequentially through this amazing literary opus.
In short (hahaha, calling this review "short" has to be a joke!), this ALMOST gave me the finale I wanted for this beloved series. I am not happy with a couple of the subtracks, but I also acknowledge that they were the best possible outcomes for those characters/situations. The Backman Brain is unparalleled in plotting, and this entire trilogy proves it.
4.5 stars. Book one remains my favourite, but this is as fabulous (and ponderous) as UAY.
My heartfelt thanks to Simon and Schuster UK and NetGalley for the DRC of ���The Winners”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
March 22, 2023
Why I chose to listen to this audiobook:
1. I really like Fredrik Backman's writing style when it comes to using strong characterization;
2. I've already read Beartown and Us Against You, so I wanted to finish this trilogy; and,
3. March 2023 is my "Realistic Fiction" Month.
Praises:
1. even though the story takes place over a short time period, the reader gets a feel of how complex daily life can be in a small community;
2. once again, Backman doesn't fail to portray his characters from all angles - you hate them, then you love them. I especially liked hockey coach, Elizabeth Zakal's no-nonsense attitude, and I personally found Ruth's POV through her diary entries to be extremely powerful;
3. I agree with Amat as he muses that when it comes to hockey (or any sport, for that matter), everyone in the stands is a pro, telling the players how they should play; and,
4. a quote to live by:
"... not to talk crap about anyone, seeing as they may well turn out to be not just anyone."
Niggle:
Oh my goodness! Was this story ever long! The audiobook was 21+ hours long (the print copy is almost 700 pages!) But to tell the truth, I was invested throughout, although I felt the "corruption" angle took up a lot of time.
Overall Thoughts:
I found this story to be a fine ending about the people in two rival communities fueled with such antagonism, violence, and despair, but true to human nature, a story also about forgiveness, hope, and love.
Recommend!
1. I really like Fredrik Backman's writing style when it comes to using strong characterization;
2. I've already read Beartown and Us Against You, so I wanted to finish this trilogy; and,
3. March 2023 is my "Realistic Fiction" Month.
Praises:
1. even though the story takes place over a short time period, the reader gets a feel of how complex daily life can be in a small community;
2. once again, Backman doesn't fail to portray his characters from all angles - you hate them, then you love them. I especially liked hockey coach, Elizabeth Zakal's no-nonsense attitude, and I personally found Ruth's POV through her diary entries to be extremely powerful;
3. I agree with Amat as he muses that when it comes to hockey (or any sport, for that matter), everyone in the stands is a pro, telling the players how they should play; and,
4. a quote to live by:
"... not to talk crap about anyone, seeing as they may well turn out to be not just anyone."
Niggle:
Oh my goodness! Was this story ever long! The audiobook was 21+ hours long (the print copy is almost 700 pages!) But to tell the truth, I was invested throughout, although I felt the "corruption" angle took up a lot of time.
Overall Thoughts:
I found this story to be a fine ending about the people in two rival communities fueled with such antagonism, violence, and despair, but true to human nature, a story also about forgiveness, hope, and love.
Recommend!
Want to read
July 27, 2020This is now a trilogy?!
Give it to me now!!!!!
Give it to me now!!!!!
October 7, 2022
Phenomenal! This last visit to Beartown was the very best yet. A big storm is the catalyst for escalating the tensions between Beartown and Hed. This third book is the biggest of them all -- nearly 450 pages. The trilogy is just over 1300 pages in total. If you haven't started yet, just start with Beartown. Trust me, I am not a hockey fan--hardly understand it. It is worth it! This series is not about hockey. It is about relationships, power structures, local economies, racial diversity, family dynamics, and so much more. Backman's writing will take you into this frosty forest world and you will want to stay until the very end.
April 21, 2022
“The Winners” completes the 3-book Beartown series.
I read “Beartown” in 2017 —
“Us Against You” in 2018 —
…..and now…..the conclusion —
“The Winners” in 2022.
In “The Winners”….
“Two years have passed since the event that no one wants to think about. Everyone has tried to move on, but there’s something about this place that prevents it. The residents continue to grapple with life‘s big questions: What is a family? What is a community? And what, if anything, are we willing to sacrifice in order to protect them?
It’s been five years since I first read “Beartown”……..
I thought it was brilliant— totally PHENOMENAL [ambitious, complex, substantial depth, and wonderful characters].
I thought - at the time - it was a stand alone book.
I was very surprised when Book 2, “Us Against You” came out. It was ‘good’…..better than ‘average-good’....but not phenomenal. I remember being frustrated with the heavy repetition for the first 3/4 of the book — much too much rehashing from book 1….
I still enjoyed the characters from, “Beartown”, that returned: Maya, Ana, Benji and others from the first book……
But…..
I wasn’t crazy about the new characters, the hoodlums, the violence, and the crazy tragic-twisty events.
I felt the overall story lost some of its original ‘Wow-Ness’…..it lacked a depth of real emotion (something that was organically real in Book 1).
“The Winners”……was good. “IT STARTED WITH A STORM”……
I especially enjoyed re-connecting with the original characters from book 1: “Beartown”…..
And…..
I ‘did’ feel the ‘organic’ emotions were back - which were missing for me in book 2.
But….. where there was a little bit too much violence, corruption, and criminality in Book 2….
In Book 3, there were pages among pages about the ongoing dealings of …..
corruption, embezzlement, conjuring tricks, dirty money, taxpayers’ money of small crimes, sustainability issues, endless arguments about resources, parents trying to influence team picks, coaches whose ideas were grinding, unspecified costs, hypocrisy, a pyramid scheme: unethical business that wasn’t visible….
every decision, every contract, slipped closer and closer to being a criminal act:
”the club has debts and asks the council for more money, but the council is concerned about what voters will think. So instead the club finds a new sponsor, a consultancy firm registered abroad, which for some mysterious reason agrees to pay off all the debts. The consultancy firm is owned by a local construction company in Beartown, whose largest client by far just happens to be the council”…..
Yep…..it started with a storm…..
Backman is a terrific storyteller but it took some patience to read through club-run-business dwellings.
I can’t imagine that every reader wouldn’t also begin to think that some of the details were tedious. …..(no matter how much one loves Backman and or hockey)…
About 60% into the book….I just wanted to know the ending already…..(the climatic events closer to and including the ending ‘WERE RIVETING’) > our emotions catch fire!!!….
but the journey to resolution could have been tighter…..
The story held my interest most when I experienced intimacy ‘while’ addressing issues that our society and humanity deals with….
But….
After awhile …..I admit to feeling ‘Beartown-Fatigue-Burnout’.
That said…..
Backman’s great gift — for me — are those times he pulls at my heart strings….with warmth, sadness, humor, and love……
[hint: Go Girls, Go Elizabeth Zackell]….
and by getting to the heart of the matter….punching those intelligent-moral-powerful daggers at us…..and giving us a little victory.
“Everyone needs to feel that they won something”.:
A few small excerpts…..
“Do you want to understand people? Really understand them? Then you need to know all the best that we are capable of”.
“Home. There really ought to be more words for that. One to cover the people we have there, another with room for those we have lost”.
“The hardest thing in hockey is to change your perception. The hardest thing to change your perception about is yourself”.
Overall ….I’d rate “The Winners” …..the trilogy-conclusion-series about a 3.7 rating. Rating up: 4 stars.
I read “Beartown” in 2017 —
“Us Against You” in 2018 —
…..and now…..the conclusion —
“The Winners” in 2022.
In “The Winners”….
“Two years have passed since the event that no one wants to think about. Everyone has tried to move on, but there’s something about this place that prevents it. The residents continue to grapple with life‘s big questions: What is a family? What is a community? And what, if anything, are we willing to sacrifice in order to protect them?
It’s been five years since I first read “Beartown”……..
I thought it was brilliant— totally PHENOMENAL [ambitious, complex, substantial depth, and wonderful characters].
I thought - at the time - it was a stand alone book.
I was very surprised when Book 2, “Us Against You” came out. It was ‘good’…..better than ‘average-good’....but not phenomenal. I remember being frustrated with the heavy repetition for the first 3/4 of the book — much too much rehashing from book 1….
I still enjoyed the characters from, “Beartown”, that returned: Maya, Ana, Benji and others from the first book……
But…..
I wasn’t crazy about the new characters, the hoodlums, the violence, and the crazy tragic-twisty events.
I felt the overall story lost some of its original ‘Wow-Ness’…..it lacked a depth of real emotion (something that was organically real in Book 1).
“The Winners”……was good. “IT STARTED WITH A STORM”……
I especially enjoyed re-connecting with the original characters from book 1: “Beartown”…..
And…..
I ‘did’ feel the ‘organic’ emotions were back - which were missing for me in book 2.
But….. where there was a little bit too much violence, corruption, and criminality in Book 2….
In Book 3, there were pages among pages about the ongoing dealings of …..
corruption, embezzlement, conjuring tricks, dirty money, taxpayers’ money of small crimes, sustainability issues, endless arguments about resources, parents trying to influence team picks, coaches whose ideas were grinding, unspecified costs, hypocrisy, a pyramid scheme: unethical business that wasn’t visible….
every decision, every contract, slipped closer and closer to being a criminal act:
”the club has debts and asks the council for more money, but the council is concerned about what voters will think. So instead the club finds a new sponsor, a consultancy firm registered abroad, which for some mysterious reason agrees to pay off all the debts. The consultancy firm is owned by a local construction company in Beartown, whose largest client by far just happens to be the council”…..
Yep…..it started with a storm…..
Backman is a terrific storyteller but it took some patience to read through club-run-business dwellings.
I can’t imagine that every reader wouldn’t also begin to think that some of the details were tedious. …..(no matter how much one loves Backman and or hockey)…
About 60% into the book….I just wanted to know the ending already…..(the climatic events closer to and including the ending ‘WERE RIVETING’) > our emotions catch fire!!!….
but the journey to resolution could have been tighter…..
The story held my interest most when I experienced intimacy ‘while’ addressing issues that our society and humanity deals with….
But….
After awhile …..I admit to feeling ‘Beartown-Fatigue-Burnout’.
That said…..
Backman’s great gift — for me — are those times he pulls at my heart strings….with warmth, sadness, humor, and love……
[hint: Go Girls, Go Elizabeth Zackell]….
and by getting to the heart of the matter….punching those intelligent-moral-powerful daggers at us…..and giving us a little victory.
“Everyone needs to feel that they won something”.:
A few small excerpts…..
“Do you want to understand people? Really understand them? Then you need to know all the best that we are capable of”.
“Home. There really ought to be more words for that. One to cover the people we have there, another with room for those we have lost”.
“The hardest thing in hockey is to change your perception. The hardest thing to change your perception about is yourself”.
Overall ….I’d rate “The Winners” …..the trilogy-conclusion-series about a 3.7 rating. Rating up: 4 stars.
June 30, 2022
QUICK TAKE: You really have to be a BIG fan of Beartown and Backman to prioritize this 600-page slog. The first 200 pages is just Backman meandering around town during a windstorm and introducing the reader to a bunch of new characters. That's right, no Benji for a veeeery long time. But I adore Beartown, and at this point Backman is an auto-buy author, so even though this beast took me a month to read, I absolutely loved it. I laughed, I cried, I cheered my favorite characters on, and I am sad this is the final book of the trilogy. I will recommend this series to friends and family for years to come. Bravo.
September 28, 2022
A big thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC of this wonderful book. I was so excited when my request was accepted that I let out a scream. Thinking I had suffered an injury, my son came rushing in from the next room.
Backman presents a vivid sense of place with his atmospheric descriptions of two rival hockey-obsessed towns, Beartown and Hed, located deep in the Swedish forest. Although hockey games resonate throughout the book, the greatest emphasis is on its compelling and believable characters. Their stories are told with compassion. We understand their feelings. Even the most likeable ones have flaws, and the ones we regard as villains reveal hidden glimpses of goodness, or we can perceive reasons they became so damaged and cruel.
Having loved the previous two Beartown books, I wondered if there was any more to add to the character's stories or to the toxic rivalry between Beartown and Hed, cumulating in acts of violence. I found this to be the most enthralling, moving book in the series and an emotional rollercoaster.
Two years have passed since the conclusion of the previous book, and we are brought up to date on what has happened to our favourite characters in the intervening time. Some are struggling with painful memories, secrets, despair, a sense of failing to reach their potential, deplorable home lives, and guilt. Even with a charming love story and joyous occasions, there was a sense of ominous foreboding throughout.
I faced a whole gamut of emotions throughout the book. I rejoiced at their happy times, gasped in surprise at some startling turn of events, was spellbound by some unlikely friendships and alliances, and was in tears near the end. It is a story of parenthood, the growing independence of young people, difficult marriages, death, tragedies, personal challenges, rape, murder, the mourning for departed loved ones. It is the stories of families, the ones we are born into, or the ones we choose through friendship, trust, need, and kindness. It asks vital questions such as is forgiveness possible, and can there be redemption for wrongdoings and mistakes?
When the book was first announced, its original title was to be "Those Who Rush Towards a Fire." This was quite fitting as it describes people who hurry to save others without concern for their own safety. We observe some valiant examples of such acts.
Among the intriguing new characters are a family in Hed, the father a fireman and the mother a midwife. Two sons are aspiring hockey players and a daughter in love with a Beartown boy. We meet two new Beartown hockey players, Mumbles and Big City, and learn the tragic story of Ruth.
My favourite new character was a man named Teemu, a Beartown hoodlum, the leader of a gang of Beartown black-jacketed toughs. Beyond his fearsome exterior, he displayed acts of kindness, trust, and compassion.
I won't summarize the story but will mention that it starts out with a raging, early winter storm causing human and property damage. It showed how the people in the two communities helped each other in a spirit of brotherhood. Unfortunately, the roof was blown off the hockey rink in Hed. Financial resources went into improving the Beartown rink, resulting in Hed's home games being moved to Beartown. This further inflamed the hatred between hockey fans, easily manipulated to anger. A local newspaper uncovered years of embezzlement, political corruption, and fraudulent, complex financial activities favouring Beartown. Would this scandal be revealed?
This was a lengthy book of 688 pages, but time passed quickly. Highly recommended for its story-telling, emotional impact, location, and splendid character development.
Backman presents a vivid sense of place with his atmospheric descriptions of two rival hockey-obsessed towns, Beartown and Hed, located deep in the Swedish forest. Although hockey games resonate throughout the book, the greatest emphasis is on its compelling and believable characters. Their stories are told with compassion. We understand their feelings. Even the most likeable ones have flaws, and the ones we regard as villains reveal hidden glimpses of goodness, or we can perceive reasons they became so damaged and cruel.
Having loved the previous two Beartown books, I wondered if there was any more to add to the character's stories or to the toxic rivalry between Beartown and Hed, cumulating in acts of violence. I found this to be the most enthralling, moving book in the series and an emotional rollercoaster.
Two years have passed since the conclusion of the previous book, and we are brought up to date on what has happened to our favourite characters in the intervening time. Some are struggling with painful memories, secrets, despair, a sense of failing to reach their potential, deplorable home lives, and guilt. Even with a charming love story and joyous occasions, there was a sense of ominous foreboding throughout.
I faced a whole gamut of emotions throughout the book. I rejoiced at their happy times, gasped in surprise at some startling turn of events, was spellbound by some unlikely friendships and alliances, and was in tears near the end. It is a story of parenthood, the growing independence of young people, difficult marriages, death, tragedies, personal challenges, rape, murder, the mourning for departed loved ones. It is the stories of families, the ones we are born into, or the ones we choose through friendship, trust, need, and kindness. It asks vital questions such as is forgiveness possible, and can there be redemption for wrongdoings and mistakes?
When the book was first announced, its original title was to be "Those Who Rush Towards a Fire." This was quite fitting as it describes people who hurry to save others without concern for their own safety. We observe some valiant examples of such acts.
Among the intriguing new characters are a family in Hed, the father a fireman and the mother a midwife. Two sons are aspiring hockey players and a daughter in love with a Beartown boy. We meet two new Beartown hockey players, Mumbles and Big City, and learn the tragic story of Ruth.
My favourite new character was a man named Teemu, a Beartown hoodlum, the leader of a gang of Beartown black-jacketed toughs. Beyond his fearsome exterior, he displayed acts of kindness, trust, and compassion.
I won't summarize the story but will mention that it starts out with a raging, early winter storm causing human and property damage. It showed how the people in the two communities helped each other in a spirit of brotherhood. Unfortunately, the roof was blown off the hockey rink in Hed. Financial resources went into improving the Beartown rink, resulting in Hed's home games being moved to Beartown. This further inflamed the hatred between hockey fans, easily manipulated to anger. A local newspaper uncovered years of embezzlement, political corruption, and fraudulent, complex financial activities favouring Beartown. Would this scandal be revealed?
This was a lengthy book of 688 pages, but time passed quickly. Highly recommended for its story-telling, emotional impact, location, and splendid character development.
October 7, 2022
"This hurts too much to touch with words."
You're telling me. Whew! Fredrik Backman is such a talented and beautiful writer. I savor his words and observations of life, people, and human emotion. For some silly reason, I always forget what a brilliant writer he is and then I pick up one of his books and I am blown away. Over the course of these books, he has given us characters to fall in love with, to shake our heads at, to cry for and with, to be upset with and to root for both on the ice and off. There are some characters we feel for more than others. The characters are flawed, they are raw, they are beautiful, they feel real, and they all evoke emotion both positive and negative.
Talk about wanting a book to end and wanting a book to end so you learn all that you can. This book picks up two years after Us Against You. The town is still coming to grips with all that has happened in the last two books. People are trying to move on, some have moved on, but the one constant is hockey. The two teams are still rivals and emotions still run hot.
This one left me gutted.
My only issue with the book is its length. It did feel long at times. Having said that, I see myself reading this again - heck I might just start at the beginning with Beartown and read all of the books over again because it's hard to say goodbye.
4.5 Stars
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
You're telling me. Whew! Fredrik Backman is such a talented and beautiful writer. I savor his words and observations of life, people, and human emotion. For some silly reason, I always forget what a brilliant writer he is and then I pick up one of his books and I am blown away. Over the course of these books, he has given us characters to fall in love with, to shake our heads at, to cry for and with, to be upset with and to root for both on the ice and off. There are some characters we feel for more than others. The characters are flawed, they are raw, they are beautiful, they feel real, and they all evoke emotion both positive and negative.
Talk about wanting a book to end and wanting a book to end so you learn all that you can. This book picks up two years after Us Against You. The town is still coming to grips with all that has happened in the last two books. People are trying to move on, some have moved on, but the one constant is hockey. The two teams are still rivals and emotions still run hot.
This one left me gutted.
My only issue with the book is its length. It did feel long at times. Having said that, I see myself reading this again - heck I might just start at the beginning with Beartown and read all of the books over again because it's hard to say goodbye.
4.5 Stars
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
September 9, 2022
So, I finished this book teary eyed, not just because of what happens in this book, though there is that, but because this will be my last visit to Beartown. After three books,this final one almost 700 pages, I feel a connection to these characters. Characters I will sincerely miss. I'm not a big hockey fan but ido live in a football crazy town which has rather heated competition with the town to our North. Four of my son's played football and I can relate to the rabid fans and parents. It can be very distressing and even dangerous at times
Backman does such a great job with characterizations and the issues that come with them. Family, friendship but also the trials and tribulations. I think, though his greatest strength is his use of forwarding, which he inserts in key places and serves to let the reader know a little of what is coming and the future of these characters. While other authors sometime places these in an epilogue, he places his right in the main text. Found this very effective and it also serves to keep the reader, reading. These pages flew by and even after such a long book I wasn't ready to leave.
Well done Mr. Backman. I'm looking forward to see where you take us next.
ARC from edelweiss.
Backman does such a great job with characterizations and the issues that come with them. Family, friendship but also the trials and tribulations. I think, though his greatest strength is his use of forwarding, which he inserts in key places and serves to let the reader know a little of what is coming and the future of these characters. While other authors sometime places these in an epilogue, he places his right in the main text. Found this very effective and it also serves to keep the reader, reading. These pages flew by and even after such a long book I wasn't ready to leave.
Well done Mr. Backman. I'm looking forward to see where you take us next.
ARC from edelweiss.
January 7, 2024
Fredrik Backman is a hit and miss author for me. I loved Anxious People and And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer. I didn't care for A Man Called Ove but I enjoyed the movie very much.
I rated Beartown three stars. One of the book clubs I belong to selected The Winners which is part of a series. The three books in the series are Beartown, The Winners, and Us Against You. I am a serious reader but I am not a series reader. So I won't be reading Us Against You.
What I liked about The Winners:
* It started with a massive, destructive snowstorm that added intensity, grit, determination, and a bit of luck or unluckiness
* It's two years after the Beartown story. So the characters have evolved and changed.
* It's about hockey. I grew up in Colorado and I love hockey. Saw many Avalanche, Colorado College, and University of Denver hockey games.
What I didn't like about The Winners:
* The repetitive, redundant, duplicative, continuous, endless, unceasing, and recurrent reminders that the two hockey towns, Hed and Beartown, hate each other. Repetition occurs on many other topics as well.
* The ongoing, non-stop girlish banter between Maya and Anna.
* The length. It is a 21 hour audiobook. The repetitive parts of the storyline drag down the pace of the book. The girlish banter doesn't advance the story arc. After listening for 17 hours, I put it in the DNF pile. I lost interest in how the book would end.
I encourage readers to read many of the Goodreads reviews because many readers rated The Winners highly.
I rated Beartown three stars. One of the book clubs I belong to selected The Winners which is part of a series. The three books in the series are Beartown, The Winners, and Us Against You. I am a serious reader but I am not a series reader. So I won't be reading Us Against You.
What I liked about The Winners:
* It started with a massive, destructive snowstorm that added intensity, grit, determination, and a bit of luck or unluckiness
* It's two years after the Beartown story. So the characters have evolved and changed.
* It's about hockey. I grew up in Colorado and I love hockey. Saw many Avalanche, Colorado College, and University of Denver hockey games.
What I didn't like about The Winners:
* The repetitive, redundant, duplicative, continuous, endless, unceasing, and recurrent reminders that the two hockey towns, Hed and Beartown, hate each other. Repetition occurs on many other topics as well.
* The ongoing, non-stop girlish banter between Maya and Anna.
* The length. It is a 21 hour audiobook. The repetitive parts of the storyline drag down the pace of the book. The girlish banter doesn't advance the story arc. After listening for 17 hours, I put it in the DNF pile. I lost interest in how the book would end.
I encourage readers to read many of the Goodreads reviews because many readers rated The Winners highly.
August 5, 2022
5 stars
The Winners is book 3 of the Beartown Trilogy, and what a fitting end it is. The Beartown Trilogy takes its rightful and permanent place on my all-time Top 10 best-books-ever-read list.
I could write a 20-page review for this novel and its two companion books, but I will keep this short. Fredrik Backman has earned a place in my heart as my favorite author. I have loved all his novels and novellas, but the Beartown Trilogy is his crown jewel. I have never read another author who has such a grasp on the human spirit, who is able to tell a story of common people in such a powerful way, who can create characters whom a reader will never ever forget. These books are quiet books, yet they made a sledge-hammer-like impression on this reader.
The themes are vast and include violence, corruption, revenge, hate, death, healing, integrity, redemption, survival, and love. And through these themes the author evokes a rainbow of feelings in his readers, not the least of which is heartbreak. I became so invested in these true-to-life characters that I found myself reacting to them as if they were my own best friends. I felt grief-stricken many times throughout my reading of The Winners, yet I didn’t want the book to end. I felt I could not say goodbye forever to these people of Beartown and Hed, and I feel I will not, as they have given me much to think about over the rest of my life.
Where will Mr. Backman go from here? Maybe it’s wishful thinking on my part, but there are words at the end of the novel that make me wonder if there will be a book about Alicia’s subsequent life. If so, I’m all in. Wait. Who am I kidding? I am all in on whatever novel Mr. Backman writes next. I just hope we don’t have to wait long.
I would like to thank Net Galley, Atria Books, and Fredrik Backman for granting me an ARC of The Winners. My opinions are my own, and they are not biased in any way.
The Winners is book 3 of the Beartown Trilogy, and what a fitting end it is. The Beartown Trilogy takes its rightful and permanent place on my all-time Top 10 best-books-ever-read list.
I could write a 20-page review for this novel and its two companion books, but I will keep this short. Fredrik Backman has earned a place in my heart as my favorite author. I have loved all his novels and novellas, but the Beartown Trilogy is his crown jewel. I have never read another author who has such a grasp on the human spirit, who is able to tell a story of common people in such a powerful way, who can create characters whom a reader will never ever forget. These books are quiet books, yet they made a sledge-hammer-like impression on this reader.
The themes are vast and include violence, corruption, revenge, hate, death, healing, integrity, redemption, survival, and love. And through these themes the author evokes a rainbow of feelings in his readers, not the least of which is heartbreak. I became so invested in these true-to-life characters that I found myself reacting to them as if they were my own best friends. I felt grief-stricken many times throughout my reading of The Winners, yet I didn’t want the book to end. I felt I could not say goodbye forever to these people of Beartown and Hed, and I feel I will not, as they have given me much to think about over the rest of my life.
Where will Mr. Backman go from here? Maybe it’s wishful thinking on my part, but there are words at the end of the novel that make me wonder if there will be a book about Alicia’s subsequent life. If so, I’m all in. Wait. Who am I kidding? I am all in on whatever novel Mr. Backman writes next. I just hope we don’t have to wait long.
I would like to thank Net Galley, Atria Books, and Fredrik Backman for granting me an ARC of The Winners. My opinions are my own, and they are not biased in any way.
October 14, 2022
There’s really nothing I can add to what’s already been said. Simply put…this was a beautifully written novel that will appeal to all readers regardless of age or background.
I fell in love with these characters in book one Beartown and continued to follow their journeys through book two, Us Against You Now as the final chapter of the trilogy plays out, I’m left emotionally spent.
There is so much to take away from this series. And every reader will find an aspect of this book that relates to them. For me it was the strength and determination of the families. How no matter what was happening in the community around them their loyalty to the family core held strong.
My favorite character was Ana, so fierce and loved so deeply. Her friendship with Maya was beautiful and sincerely warmed my heart.
I listened to the audio as I did for the entire series. Marin Ireland is incredibly gifted as she unfolded the tale, taking you deep into these hockey towns bringing every character to vivid life.
Once again, I am floored that this entire trilogy was written in Swedish and so exactingly translated to English (and I’m sure many other languages). Nothing was lost in translation. Every nuance and heartfelt moment shined through.
Hands-down one of the best series I’ve read. Sad to see it come to an end but so looking forward to seeing where this author take us next.
A buddy read with Susanne that we both loved. The discussions were fascinating as we discovered what parts of the book touched us the most…and yes they were different parts!
Thank you to my local Library 🎧.
I fell in love with these characters in book one Beartown and continued to follow their journeys through book two, Us Against You Now as the final chapter of the trilogy plays out, I’m left emotionally spent.
There is so much to take away from this series. And every reader will find an aspect of this book that relates to them. For me it was the strength and determination of the families. How no matter what was happening in the community around them their loyalty to the family core held strong.
My favorite character was Ana, so fierce and loved so deeply. Her friendship with Maya was beautiful and sincerely warmed my heart.
I listened to the audio as I did for the entire series. Marin Ireland is incredibly gifted as she unfolded the tale, taking you deep into these hockey towns bringing every character to vivid life.
Once again, I am floored that this entire trilogy was written in Swedish and so exactingly translated to English (and I’m sure many other languages). Nothing was lost in translation. Every nuance and heartfelt moment shined through.
Hands-down one of the best series I’ve read. Sad to see it come to an end but so looking forward to seeing where this author take us next.
A buddy read with Susanne that we both loved. The discussions were fascinating as we discovered what parts of the book touched us the most…and yes they were different parts!
Thank you to my local Library 🎧.
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