Book Reflections — Beartown
Title: Beartown
Author: Fredrik Backman
Medium: Audiobook
Motivation for reading: I recently read A Man Called Ove, which is also written by Fredrik Backman, and it was hands down one of my favorite books that I read in 2019! Coincidentally, and separately, a friend recommended this book to me, and I was sold because I loved A Man Called Ove so much, which gave me double the reason to read it!
Reflections & Takeaways:
After having read A Man Called Ove, I was expecting Beartown to be similar, but instead, this story strikes a more serious note. Despite the heavier topic, Fredrik Backman writes a beautiful book and develops a capturing story with his prose, writing style, and characters. I was not disappointed.
The story revolves around an “alleged” sexual assault incident that takes place in a small town where the residents live and breathe hockey. In this situation, the offender is the star hockey player on the local high school boy’s hockey team. As the story unfolds, Backman describes the collective reaction of the town as well as the individuals involved. I couldn’t help but think how elements of the story reminded me of the Rolling Stone article from 2014 about gang rape at the University of Virginia, and the death of Yeardley Love, a member of Virginia’s women’s lacrosse in 2010, and the responses to those two events. Even though Beartown is a novel, unfortunately, as an alumna of the University of Virginia, I didn’t have to look far to draw personal connections.
[As I drafted this blog post, I had an internal debate on what to call the person who raped his classmate. Should I call him “the accused,” or “alleged perpetrator,” or simply “rapist”? I hesitated to call him the “alleged” perpetrator when as the reader I was a witness to the incident and knew that there was no consent from the victim. The nature of the act was clear, yet I realized that my first instinct in describing him as “alleged” introduced doubt, despite knowing his role in the offense. The American legal system gives benefit of the doubt to the accused, and because we assume innocent until proven guilty, I saw myself defaulting to that even when I knew otherwise. It is interesting how we identify people and use terms based on what we are accustomed to hearing.]
The reactions of the different townspeople made me think of the African proverb “it takes a village to raise a child.” The adults — parents, teachers, coaches — in the community realize that they have a role to play in order to prevent similar incidences in the future by talking with their children honestly about sex, sexual desires, and consent, in order to help build a healthy and safe community. These are tough and uncomfortable conversations, but they must take place and cannot be ignored. Young people will discover their sexual desires, needs, and cravings, and we need to educate them that these feelings are okay and normal. Nonetheless, they need to understand the appropriate behaviors as well as the serious consequences of their actions.
One of the most memorable conversations, and one that offers comic relief, is the conversation between Hog and his teenage son Bobo, who is also a member of the local hockey team. Nervously, Hog decides to gives Bobo the opportunity to ask him any questions about sex. Having witnessed the serious violation and backlash from his teammate’s actions, we see the innocent and naïve queries from this young man who’s overflowing with questions. He, like so many of us, seeks a safe environment to talk poorly hidden elephant in the room that lives in the back of many of our minds — sex. Luckily, his father was able to create that space for him.
Even though this book might come across as all serious, you do have an opportunity to fall in love with some of the great characters. Backman slowly unravels and masterfully develops characters that carry you through the story. Many of the endearing characters are teenage boys who are full of genuine love for hockey, their team, and the sprit of camaraderie that unites them in their passion for this sport. They also have a deep love for the community outside the rink that supports them. (One of the debates in the book is how life on and off the ice relates and impact each other.)
One of my favorite characters was Benji. Known for being tough, hard-headed, and a force of nature on the hockey team, Benji is also best friends with Kevin, the star player who is accused of rape. Benji knows that Kevin did it as much as Kevin denies it since Kevin can never hide anything from him. As much as Benji loves hockey and all it represents for him, he doesn’t lower the bar for his friend based on Kevin’s status, and holds Kevin accountable for his actions. You also discover that he has his own secret that he keeps near and dear to his heart in fear of being judged by his teammates, and coach. That vulnerability makes you see but makes you see the sentimental side of the layered character. (Side note, he is supported by a posse of strong, badass sisters that are pretty awesome. Just saying.)
Enjoy this story on how a community, and the individuals within it, decide to move forward after a tragedy that impacts them all.
Related Reads (and books that it also made me think of): A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
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