Us Against You

Book came in good condition. Delivery was on time. About the story, Fredrik Backman never disappoints.

It is an another amazing read from fredrik backman! Lot of details and character building and chaotic back and forth left and write narrator style from the eyes of one of ppl living in the town! So heart wrenching and so many important sensitive topics in one book! He doesn’t preach! He just points things out and let’s them be! It felt a bit slow in some places but worth every single second spend reading it!

4.5 stars!“Have you ever seen a town fall? Ours did. We'll end up saying that violence came to Beartown this summer, but that will be a lie; the violence was already here. Because sometimes hating one another is so easy that it seems incomprehensible that we ever do anything else.”I don’t know whether to be happy or sad, whether to cry or smile. Every word written by him is like a wave of feeling, crashing over me and leaving me breathless with its intensity. I feel my heart breaking and mending all at once, and I am unable to shake off the impact of his words. And that is a Backman for you - an extraordinary writer whose each and every word drips with emotions.This second book is about the aftermath of the devastation that rocked Beartown in the first book. It is how the people of Beartown react to the tragedy that occurred. We feel all the deep emotions that swirl within the town's residents - anger that boils, frustration that gnaws, guilt that consumes, and despair that threatens to swallow them whole. This is not merely a tale of hockey. It really really is not. It is about family, friendship, love, envy, unity, and.. loss.Who or what impacted me the most you may ask? I would say Beartown - the residents of Beartown - each and every sad, quirky, mad, emotional, scary, funny, loveable, angry character of Beartown. Be it Benji, Maya, Kira, Amat, Bobo, Peter, Elisabeth, Ana, Teemu, Ramona, Vidar. Ah, my heart.. Just like the first book, this story exposes the raw and flawed nature of human beings. No one is perfect, and it is this imperfection that makes each character relatable. You will hate someone only to empathize with them in the next. You will love someone, yet understand when they make mistakes.I took my time reading this book because I wanted to savour each and every word. Those little nuggets of wisdom - on the unconditional love of parenting, dynamics of marriage, profound friendship, community, on hope, love, and loss. Every page teaches you something and forces you to introspect. There were times when I closed the book and just absorbed the brilliance of his writing, his thoughts, and his understanding of human emotions.A moving and thought-provoking story that affirms Fredriks's prominence as one of the greatest authors. Absolutely recommend.

After a long time read a book which made me emotional. Please read the first part ‘The Beartown’ to understand this book better.

"have you ever seen a town fall? ours did. we'll end up saying that violence came to beartown this summer, but that will be a lie; the violence was already here. because sometimes hating one another is so easy that it seems incomprehensible that we ever do anything else." have you ever loved a character so much that you thought your heart might explode? the beartown trilogy and benji ovich are that for me. since the start of this year i have carried the snowy little village of beartown with me, and i'd be lying if i said i wasn't constantly teetering on the brink of tears during the entirety of this novel.  us against you starts off right where beartown left off. it tells the tale of a scared town that has gone through a tragedy. its filled with hurt people and their pride, their adoration for toxic masculinity, and the inherent violence that comes with being human. loss is looming over every corner and is threatening to take away the only thing they care about — hockey and the tide of joy it brings. to rescue it comes along a crooked politician and a coach like never before. the story that follows will stomp on your heart; hug it and stomp on it some more, and you will like it.  as always, @backmansk who owes me therapy money, balances wholesome and brutal perfectly on the tightrope that this book is and asks you to walk it. i'm glad i did because this is not a book everyone survives.  5 gut-wrenching, they-could-never-make-me hate-you-backman stars!

Read Bear Town first, then Us Against You. What delightful reads. Fredrik Backman is an incredible storyteller, and his books are hard to put down.

This is book two in the series but could easily stand by itself. The writing is genuine, And the characters come to life and find a way into your heart. Saying the story is about hockey is a major understatement. It's about human nature, Both ugly and admirable, and finding the strength to survive.

Lost count how many times I wanted to cry whilst reading this moving story. Wonderful characters. I don't even like hockey but Backman made me understand why people do !

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

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.