Us Against You: A Novel (Beartown)

In true Backman style, it’ll draw you in, lead you astray, and tear you apart. I read Beartown, the first book in this series, in May last year. I took a chance on a book about hockey, only to fear its sequel wouldn’t live up to the small town’s original magic. I’ve never been happier to be so wrong. Backman’s writing isn’t overly complex. But it still has an enthralling and addictive quality that makes it difficult to resist. And it’ll leave you with a book hangover. His tone of voice is so realistic, so frank, and so straightforward. That quality, mixed with Backman’s natural storytelling ability and intricate web of characters is what makes this series of books so special. It has the captivating feature of a good story, with the poignant touch of pragmatic reality. In a similar essence to Beartown, this book’s atmosphere is somehow both nostalgic and claustrophobic at the same time – like living in a small town. This story takes place only three months after the last, but the number of characters increases and so does the level of heart. While it was easy to have one favourite in Beartown, I really struggled to single out just one character in Us Against You. The storylines in the book are richer, with deeper roots and even heftier consequences. I absolutely love how layered and nuanced the characters in this book feel. They’re not just elements of fiction, they’re personalities that you get to know and understand. They have quirks and habits that you come to know so well you can almost predict, which is why it’s so easy to get lost in their lives. Plus, the interlinking relationships and storylines gives the book and even stronger pull. There are chapters in Us Against You that are like peering into a pack mentality. It's truly fascinating, but understandable perplexing. Allegiance and loyalty play major roles in packs and teams, but this book questions how far we can be carried without genuine respect, honesty, and trust. I also loved the exploration of masculinity and respect in this book. Some characters chase and crave it, while others barely acknowledge it. It’s insignificant to some, and so crucial it could break bones for others. Following the events of Beartown, this book also dives deeper into anxiety, specifically guilt and paranoia. Although Backman has a humour to his writing, can write with sarcasm, and effortlessly deliver deadpan expressions, the milder and warmer tone of voice when exploring such topics was very refreshing. Still, I love that the author doesn’t shy away from honesty in his writing. There are some sentences that are hard to read. So despite the sensitive storylines, the perspective feels balanced. Us Against You highlights the best and worst in humans, and the strengths and flaws in love. It’s a story of devotion and redemption, and like many of Backman’s books, leaves plenty of room for poignant and deep discussions. There are some moments that are full of tranquillity and quiet, and others that are so tense you’re holding your breath. And while it may not have the same tight grip on me Beartown had, it’s still just as spectacular. After loving A Man Called Ove, Beartown, and Anxious People, I can’t wait to see what Backman gives us next. The third book, Those Who Run Towards Fire, is already on my pre-order list.

I suspect my main issue with this book is that it isn't Beartown. Beartown won a special place in my heart and little if anything was ever going to be able to rival it for my affections. Us Against You makes a reasonable attempt, but falls just that little bit short of the target set by its predecessor. This is undoubtedly beautifully written and stunningly translated, but it didn't quite hold me in the same way that Beartown did. It can't be the characters, for although all of the previous favourites return for this sequel there are some new characters that take your breath away. Aspects of the last book that were touched on are developed and expanded, with the black jackets being of particular importance, but by no means are they the only ones. As with his previous novel however, Backman touches on so many issues that are hidden within a commmunity; both the large and the small, the good and the bad. He has a way with words and sometimes his words really do just take your breath away. Sometimes I found myself re-reading a paragraph for exactly that reason. And at the finale, he knows how to use those same words to break your heart into a thousand pieces. Backman's writing makes most other authors look clumsy in comparison and his characterisations can make you weep. But it still didn't quite hit the pinacle of Beartown and there's possibly a couple of reasons for that. Firstly, the tone is far less innocent I suppose. Whereas Beartown is all surrounded by individuals actions and the way they can spiral a situation out of control, Us Against You is just as heavily based on one mans ability to manipulate a series of situations and a variety of people. All of the events were far more calculated and whilst that made for a good read, it didn't make for the spell-binding read that Beartown was. Beartown didn't need a single individual's meddling fingers to keep the events spiralling... this did, and that detracted from the tone of the novel quite a bit for me. I also found the constant active foretelling of something dark on the horizon to be somewhat tedious after a while, particularly when everything is so slowly paced. Whereas with Beartown you get build up and repurcussions in almost equal proportion with the events spiralling out of control somewhere in the middle, here it is nearly all build up. It's well written build up and it showcases the characters beautifully, but it's missing something. And when I hit the finale, I won't deny that I cried, but somehow I can't help but feel that the book wasn't quite balanced as perfectly as Beartown. But at the same time, this still reflects some of the greatest lights within humanity at the same time as it shines a glow on some of the darkest. It is still beautifully written with passages that will haunt me for long to come. It is still a novel about humanity; about loss and love, marriage and belonging, community and hatred. It still has those astonishing nuances and interlinking characters, with stories that spill over unwillingly into others lives. It's still a story about ice hockey and it is still so much more than that. Is it Beartown? No, not quite. Is it worth something in and of itself however? Yes, beyond a shadow of a doubt.

I read this immediately after U finished reading Beartown. Both books absolutely gripped me and I couldn't put them down. A great storyline, beautifully told with really well developed characters. This book often made me fearful - but not always with sadness!

Insightful continuation of Beartown. Clear explanations of why characters do what they do and how none of us are completely one thing or another. The characters deal with choices between family or friends or jobs. Written as only Fredrik Backman can. Love it, even if I knew nothing about hockey!

Us Against You is sometimes moving and quite heartbreaking. At times it managed to leave a smile on my face, other times I had a massive lump in my throat. The story is always realistic, its characters believable while constantly showing the worst and the best side of mankind, making it incredibly thought-provoking and also hopeful. Fredrik Backman is a wonderful storyteller. It almost feels as if you’re sitting in a pub with someone who’s telling you the story of Beartown and I once again became utterly invested in the lives of these characters, hurting with them and rooting for them. They wormed their way into my heart from the start and I won’t be forgetting any of them in a hurry. Beautifully written and incredibly captivating, Us Against You is as much of a gem as Beartown/The Scandal is and it has caused another massive book hangover. I’m quietly hoping for a third instalment in this series. There are more stories to tell, I’m sure, but quite frankly, I’d take any excuse to return to Beartown.

I loved the Beartown book, so was confident that I would enjoy this too. Once again its so compelling and I was immediately drawn into Beartown and Backman really draws you in to the community. Once more, I felt that I lived and had grown up in this town. The writing is beautiful and there is so much heart and emotion. It really is special. This book focused less on the hockey and more on the people. I think 'Beartown' had a greater balance and ultimately a more believable story. I felt that the author wanted to develop the stories of the people of Beartown but may have been better served doing a few more books as this one has such a lot going on and it felt a bit busy at times. The writing is incredible and teh charcaters are brilliant. I can really pay the book and the author no greater compliment than to say that despite being based in the North of England that 'WE ARE THE BEARS FROM BEARTOWN

I enjoyed this book enormously! however I would suggest you read Beartown first as it puts everything into perspective It was really thought provoking and It made me think about the nature of strong relationship and community. It has stayed with me which i always think is a sign of a good book.

So after finishing book 1 I wanted to read more. However this book felt a lot slower. I found it much harder to get through. It was SOO political, which I wasn't such a fan of. I was a little disappointed because I loved the first book and how it was written but this second didn't hold up to the standard. It's still worth reading though if you like the characters.

Backman just gets better with every book! This latest, Us Against You is a sequel to Beartown and carries forward where that one left off. What I’ve grown to love most about Backman is his choice of contemporary themes. In every book he writes about the society we live in and the duality of human nature - how good people can be good in many ways and yet carry prejudice in others, and how the ‘not-so-goods’ can on occasion rise above theirs. The imperfection that characterises us as humans comes through brilliantly in his characters, without judgment or justification. He tells it like it is in our times and nowhere more than in this book, where he writes about violence, rape, friendship, loyalty, love, forgiveness, hubris and compromise among other things. As usual he uses sport as a metaphor, ice-hockey in this case. Backman is the only author who can make an utterly non-sporting gal like me read a book that is on the surface all about sport! Only on the surface though. He makes the sport and the town that depends on that sport for its very existence come alive. I can very easily imagine a town like Beartown and everything that happens there is utterly believable - the good, the bad and the ugly. In this book I particularly liked the way Backman weaves politics and politicians into the narrative. I enjoy his style as always - he builds up a scenario that initially seems random, only to make a specific point after a few pages! The narrative is as always layered and fast-paced making for a very compelling and satisfying read. I read this book in a day, like I read all his books. There’s an undercurrent of foreboding in this book right from the start that hooked me in and kept me turning the pages! I could feel that something terrible was around the corner but couldn’t quite put my finger on whom or when. When the events did take place, Backman had me so invested in these characters that it was gut-wrenching. That’s what I call great writing! This book is in many ways a mirror of the times we live in and the reflections are very often disturbing. But hope springs eternal and that’s why us humans labour on, doing what we can to make sense of this chaos that we call Life! Us Against You is ultimately about us and our indomitable human spirit and it is about the price we’re prepared to pay to survive as individuals and as a community. An excellent read 😊

Eu descobri este autor em Um Homem chamado Ove e, de lá para cá, não consegui deixar de ler nada que ele escreve. A maioria das vezes, como na série sobre Beartown, não tenho paciência de esperar pela tradução para o português (que demora muito, por sinal). Em Us Against You, que é a continuação de Beartown,, o autor volta a abordar temas sérios, mas ele o faz com tanta leveza e sensibilidade que a leitura se torna muito prazerosa. Enfim, é mais um livro do Backman que leio e, até hoje, não li nenhum que fosse menos que excelente!

Get ready to cry ugly. This isn't an easy breezy book to read.

Una novela increíble!! Y más para los seguidores de Hockey

One can not get enough of Fredrik Backman books. Loved Beartown and loved this follow up novel. Tough and heartwarming.