“So the first thing that happens in a conflict is that we choose a side, because that’s easier than trying to hold two thoughts in our heads at the same time. The second thing that happens is that we seek out facts that confirm what we want to believe-comforting facts, one that permit life to go on as normal. The third is that we dehumanize our enemy. There are many ways of doing that, but none is easier than taking her name away from her.”
As fans of Fredrik Bachman’s previous work (PLEASE read A Man Called Ove – it’s excellent), we were excited to pick up Beartown and see what it had in store. This story is nothing like Ove; it may be frustrating to read at times, but it is still incredible and will leave you with goosebumps.
This story takes us to Beartown, a small, rural town with a sluggish economy and a bleak future. The one ray of light is the junior hockey team, who get treated like gods as they play towards a national championship. Along the way, the team wins a major victory, and parties ensue. The next day, the general manager’s daughter (Maya) accuses the team’s star player of sexual assault, and now the town struggles between giving up their hopes of glory or believing the accuser. You’ll read in amazement as the community members draw lines, take sides and show their true colors.
Backman did an amazing job of creating sympathetic, complex characters. You’ll fall in love with some of the community members, like the Bartender/amateur psychologist Ramona, who had one of the best quotes from the book. When a coach comes in to talk about the accusation, and worries that everyone will blame hockey, she has a stellar response:
“Is that why you’re here? To talk about that? Sweet Jesus . . . you men. It’s never your fault, is it? When are you going to admit that it isn’t ‘hockey’ that raises these boys, it’s YOU LOT?”
The responsibilities and burdens of influencing children shines through in the parents, the coaches and other community members as you see the ripple effect missteps can create. What a coach allows to happen in the locker room, during practice, on a bus, or anywhere during a team setting tells children what is acceptable. What these kids learn, they absorb, and if certain jokes/attitudes towards women are allowed and even encouraged, how can we expect our youth to act any differently when presented with the real world?
One other quote from the book that really went to the heart of truth:
“Perhaps one day the man in black jacket will think about this too: why he only wondered if it was Kevin or Amat who was telling the truth. Why Maya’s word wasn’t enough.”
We loved this book. We loved the dynamics of the team, of the town, and of the families. It will make you think, cry and resolve to stand up and be better.
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