Us Against You: From the New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove and Anxious People

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

"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!

"Us against you" è il sequel del primo libro della trilogia, "Beartown".Quando in una città come quella di Beartown, nella quale la vita di ogni singolo individuo è strettamente legata a ciò che accade a causa dell'Hockey, un giocatore si trova protagonista di una terribile accusa e molti degli altri decidono di giocare per la città rivale Hed, è chiaro che tutto sta per andare a rotoli. Tuttavia, in un modo o nell'altro, i suoi abitanti riusciranno a rialzarsi.Backman non si smentisce mai. Solitamente dai sequel di libri fantastici ci si aspetta che non siano belli tanto quanto il primo, ma questo non è il caso con "Us against you".La caratterizzazione dei personaggi è divina: non si finisce il libro senza aver pianto per ognuno di loro almeno una volta. È interessante come l'autore riesca, se non a 'giustificare', a far capire tutte le motivazioni che spingono i personaggi a comportarsi nel modo in cui si comportano.Un libro che non si riesce a mettere giù, ma che in ogni pagina fa riflettere, piangere, e ridere, tutto allo stesso tempo.Beartown non aveva necessariamente bisogno di un sequel, sarebbe potuto essere tranquillamente autoconclusivo, però "Us against you" esplora realtà ancora diverse rispetto al primo, portando avanti la storia in maniera inaspettata.Ho letto entrambi i libri sia in italiano che in inglese, e devo dire che in inglese hanno avuto un effetto completamente diverso. La traduzione italiana è accettabilissima, ma allo stesso tempo credo che in inglese si riesca a rendere molto di più lo stile molto diretto dell'autore, e quindi che la storia arrivi in maniera diversa penetrando più a fondo.In quanto all'edizione, quella della Penguin lascia un po' a desiderare: per rendere il libro più compatto le scritte sono piccole e la carta è sottile e di bassa qualità. Purtroppo qui su amazon c'era solo questa opzione ma avrei preferito la stampa della Sperling.Personalmente credo che sia una di quelle serie che ciascuno dovrebbe leggere almeno una volta nella vita. Non vedo l'ora di leggere anche il terzo della trilogia.Consigliatissimo!

One can not get enough of Fredrik Backman books. Loved Beartown and loved this follow up novel. Tough and heartwarming.

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.

Una novela increíble!! Y más para los seguidores de Hockey