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Per Sera's request. Discuss and enjoy!

Thanks, Robbie!

Anyone interested in reading this book is welcome to join this thread.

Yes! The more the merrier.

Hi! Have you started the book yet? I read 200 pages today. I will be back to post some initial thoughts tomorrow. I am finding it hard to put down so that I can go to bed.

I have! I'm about 60 pages in, I hope to read more tonight. Busy weekend. Post away!

I finished the book last night, I loved it! I will be back to post.

Wow! I am getting there. I have gotten to a little over 150 pages in and I will keep going tonight.

The first chapter (paragraph really) was so intense. I love Amat and his dedication and drive. I am just at the point to where Amat has just been noticed by Sune, not sure if this is a good or bad thing.

Oh good. I am dying to talk about it.

The opening was very intense. I kept thinking throughout the story, who was shot? And by whom?

Amat is one of my favorite characters in the book. There are many characters in the book, some of which aren't introduced to halfway through the book. I found that interesting, but it worked.

What do you think about the writing style? It's so simple but effective in my opinion. Backman is such a great storyteller even though he uses few words. I found his writing style to be very refreshing.

I really enjoyed all of the insight that Backman showed in regard to hockey and sports in general. Have you become caught up in a sport? Was it important to the community in which you lived?

I played sports, and we were into it, but it didn't define who I was or had a significant impact on the community in which I lived. I think that maybe it's because all that Beartown had was hockey, whereas nowadays there are so many different sports and other activities that exist so that no one sport generally becomes dominant.

I like the style, it is simple and makes the reading go by really quickly. He conveys the darkness of Beartown with such few words.

As I was reading about hockey, I kept thinking "is this what it really is like?" So hard on the players who are really just little boys.

I am caught up in a few sports, cycling and running right now. When my boys were young baseball and soccer were big but not a critical part of who they were or our community either.

I agree about Beartown only having hockey. They also seem to have no other industry there.

What do you think about Peter and Kira's marriage? They seem to love each other but keep such big secrets.

I don't know how far you are in the book so I am trying not reveal any spoilers. I will speak in generalities.

I think that Peter and Kira have a good marriage. Kira has given up a lot for her husband career-wise, but frankly, as an attorney myself, if she would working at a big firm, she would never see her family. The poor woman has enough guilt because she works that I don't think that a bigger job would have been good for her. She seems to understand that, too, since she had turned down a promotion at the firm. By the end of the book, with all that these two have gone through as a married couple, it's amazing that they are able to stay together. Most couple who suffer severe trauma within their families end up in divorce. I really liked both of these characters.

What do you think about Maya and Ana?

I am where they have just won the semi-final game. I think it is chapter 19. Loved the piece about Kira behind the scenes making sure that Amat had hockey equipment as he was growing up.

I thoroughly am enjoying Maya and Ana. They seem like one of few "normal" characters. I am scared by Kira's feeling that Maya should have never gone to the game. Luckily for Ana she has Maya's family to call home. We have had our sons' friends adopt our home as theirs. Has that ever happened to you?

I also am intrigued by the introduction of Ramona.

Great! Looking forward to hearing your comments Charly.

Same here, Charly.

MichelleCH wrote: "I am where they have just won the semi-final game. I think it is chapter 19. Loved the piece about Kira behind the scenes making sure that Amat had hockey equipment as he was growing up.

I thoroug..."

Our daughter is only 8 so there isn't too much hanging out going on yet. However, our house is the go to house with our friends when we go out to dinner, have get togethers, etc. I think that as our daughter gets older, it's likely that our house will be where the kids congregate. We just have the set up for it. I think that it's great because we can keep an eye on things. I'm sure that you appreciated that as a parent.

I thought that it was odd at first how Ana practically lived at Maya's house, keeping her clothes there, etc., but then once I had understood her background it made sense.

I also found it interesting that Backman introduced new characters throughout the course of the book. I haven't seen that done very often. Ramona is one of those characters. I really liked her and the role that she plays in Beartown.

Yes, it is always good to be the go-to house for kids. It's a safe and welcoming place and you see EVERYTHING. Not that you say anything but it is good to just know.

I love Ana, and now that I have finished the book, I think she was an amazing guardian angel.

Ramona is a strong and powerful character. Despite her physical and emotional challenges (fear of leaving the bar) she commanded respect and showed strength. She was surprisingly, to me, a true feminist.

I think that the way women are discussed in this novel is very progressive. Everything from the sisters of Benji, to the teacher, and Ramona - all were strong especially given their background. And now, a girl's team too!

I just didn't get the scene with Maya and Kevin. It read as if (view spoiler)[she shot him and he was dying, but then he was alive?... (hide spoiler)]. I also thought the ending was too optimistic.

I completely agree that Backman was very progressive when writing about women in this book. I loved Ramona - her speech about the violence of men was incredibly spot on. Even Backman's treatment of Kevin's mother and how she handled the situation made sense to me even though I didn't like what she had done.

The scene with Maya and Kevin was (view spoiler)[Maya pretending to kill Kevin but then intentionally missing him so that he will always feel the horror of knowing that he could have died at that point - there's something in the book that says that he will now know how it feels to be haunted the rest of his life (hide spoiler)]. I actually thought that Backman handled that in a clever way.

After the opening scene, I kept trying to figure out who the two people were while reading the story. I was surprised to find out who they were at the end.

I liked the ending. I think that people either move on from tragedy or they don't. I was happy to see how things turned out for the characters.

I really enjoyed reading another book with you. We should do it again soon.

Funny. I thought that is what happened with Maya and Kevin but I was a little confused.

Me too about trying to figure who it was. There were some hints in there towards the end.

Yes, let's do it again!