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Beartown cover art

Beartown

Written by: Fredrik Backman
Narrated by: Marin Ireland
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Publisher's Summary

2018 Audie Award Finalist for Fiction

The number-one New York Times best-selling author of A Man Called Ove returns with a dazzling, profound novel about a small town with a big dream - and the price required to make it come true.

People say Beartown is finished. A tiny community nestled deep in the forest, it is slowly losing ground to the ever encroaching trees. But down by the lake stands an old ice rink, built generations ago by the working men who founded this town. And in that ice rink is the reason people in Beartown believe tomorrow will be better than today. Their junior ice hockey team is about to compete in the national semifinals, and they actually have a shot at winning. All the hopes and dreams of this place now rest on the shoulders of a handful of teenage boys.

Being responsible for the hopes of an entire town is a heavy burden, and the semifinal match is the catalyst for a violent act that will leave a young girl traumatized and a town in turmoil. Accusations are made, and, like ripples on a pond, they travel through all of Beartown, leaving no resident unaffected.

Beartown explores the hopes that bring a small community together, the secrets that tear it apart, and the courage it takes for an individual to go against the grain. In this story of a small forest town, Fredrik Backman has found the entire world.

©2017 Fredrik Backman (P)2017 S&S Audio

What the critics say

" Beartown is, at its heart, a hockey story. However, with author Backman telling that story and Marin Ireland performing it, this audiobook transcends the cliché of 'the big game' and becomes a multifaceted study of humanity, integrity, and loyalty. Ireland narrates in a remarkably adaptable way; her chameleon voice is devoted to developing character, and she's so effective that she makes the story come to the fore... Ireland nimbly skates her own way through a novel that is gorgeously written, meticulously plotted, and nearly perfectly performed. This one is not to be missed." ( AudioFile)

What listeners say about Beartown

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Great book for hockey lovers!

An enjoyable listen for anyone but especially for hockey lovers. The narration was excellent. Would recommend.

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Loved it!!!

One of my favourite books, such a great story and it didn't end the way I expected it to. #Audible1

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Great book

Highly recommend this story. From start to finish this book will keep you wanting more.

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One of my favourite audiobooks ever!!

I loved this book! I love the story. I loved how well and cleverly it was written. I loved how well the narrator did. I have been recommending it to everyone and it is a so nice to be excited about sharing an excellent listening experience.

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Suspenseful and heartwarming!

Disturbing story beautifully written and wonderfully read with the best ending ever! I could not stop listening!

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Amazing!

Impressive character depth and non-explicit narration technique make it impossible to stop listening once you begin.

It's set in Sweden but it could also easily be any small, hockey town in North America!

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An author who really gets hockey

Fredrik Backman skillfully captures the complexities of hockey communities in this book. From the play by play of the game to unsaid words between the characters, this book will keep you reading and listening until the last sentence.

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This book broke me

Almost didn't finish, I was not invested and then BAM. This book is worth the read!

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Brilliant, Heartbreaking, Fierce

Ordinarily I avoid books like this because they hurt my heart but I have come to absolutely love Fredrik Backman’s book and thought I’d give it a try. All I can say is that it’s a masterpiece.
I love Fredrik’s understanding of people, their uniqueness, and his ability to weave a powerful, intertwined story about all the individuals in the story. This book is so thoughtful, so well written, and beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

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a fabulous book

I can't wait to get into book 2! Fantastic narration. I had read it years ago, but this was a joy to listen to.

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