Title: Us Against You
Author: Fredrik Backman
Published: 2018
Genre: Contemporary
Grade Level: Adult
-Trigger Warning: Suicidal thoughts and hazing
-Movie Rating: PG-13 vulgar/triggering language
Audiobook:
Narrated by: Marin Ireland
Length: 14hrs and 17min (it so did not feel like 14hrs!)
Recommend: The narrator does a fantastic job, but the pacing of the novel is so fast it probably would be easier to follow on paper.
Blurb (from goodreads):
After everything that the citizens of Beartown have gone through, they are struck yet another blow when they hear that their beloved local hockey team will soon be disbanded. What makes it worse is the obvious satisfaction that all the former Beartown players, who now play for a rival team in Hed, take in that fact.
Amidst the mounting tension between the two rivals, a surprising newcomer is handpicked to be Beartown’s new hockey coach.
Soon a new team starts to take shape around Amat, the fastest player you’ll ever see; Benji, the intense lone wolf; and Vidar, a born-to-be-bad troublemaker. But bringing this team together proves to be a challenge as old bonds are broken, new ones are formed, and the enmity with Hed grows more and more acute.
As the big match approaches, the not-so-innocent pranks and incidents between the communities pile up and their mutual contempt grows deeper.
By the time the last game is finally played, a resident of Beartown will be dead, and the people of both towns will be forced to wonder if, after all they’ve been through, the game they love can ever return to something simple and innocent.
My Scores:
Writing Style: Top Notch
The writing style is exactly the same as in Beartown. If you loved it in the first novel, you will continue to love in the second.
Characters: Absolutely Amazing
The characters are presented in much the same way, in little snippets that constantly switch. The only difference in this novel is that there is a slight shift in focus from Maya’s and Kevin’s plotline to Benji’s plotline.
Plot: So Many Plot Twists
The pacing is just as fast, the foreshadowing keeps you guessing, and the plot is so intense that it hurts your heart but keeps you rooting for the reliance of the human spirit.
Overall: Totally Obsessed
I am totally obsessed with this novel! It’s fast paced, full of well-crafted characters, and impossible to put down. I was amazed at how fast I was able to finish such a long book, which of course is a sign of an amazing book.
Just
like in the first novel, some moments are very intense and hard to digest.
Messaging:
Pro
LGBTQ
Holds
up a mirror to sports culture, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Goodreads
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
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