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Beartown cover art

Beartown

By: Fredrik Backman
Narrated by: John Sackville
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Publisher's Summary

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Beartown by Fredik Backman, read by John Sackville. 

Beartown is a small town in a large Swedish forest.

For most of the year it is under a thick blanket of snow, experiencing the kind of cold and dark that brings people closer together - or pulls them apart.

Its isolation means that Beartown has been slowly shrinking with each passing year. But now the town is on the verge of an astonishing revival. A bright new future is just around the corner.

Until the day it is all put in jeopardy by a single, brutal act. 

It divides the town into those who think it should be hushed up and forgotten, and those who'll risk the future to see justice done. At last, it falls to one young man to find the courage to speak the truth that it seems no one else wants to hear.

With the town's future at stake, no one can stand by or stay silent. Everyone is on one side or the other.

Which side would you be on?

Previously published as The Scandal.

©2017 Fredrik Backman (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

"As popular Swedish exports go, Backman is up there with ABBA and Stieg Larsson." (The New York Times Book Review)

What listeners say about Beartown

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Brilliant, weekday a story teller.

The final chapter had my goosebumps up for six minutes. So very well written. Loved it.

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2 people found this helpful

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A well written tale

I was slowly dragged into the lives of this small ferocious community. Felt sad to say goodbye to the many well-drawn characters .

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beartown

great story, spellbinding end, well worth listening to. it was really well read! thanks

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Stunning

I came across Anxious People by Bachman and was blown away. This is just as good. I’ll make my way through his works and recommend it strongly.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Tough but worth it

Another Backman book with great observations of people. Good chartacters. Good stort that takes you on an emotional journey. You will sometimes feel angry, worried and uncomfortable, but always hopeful.

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Loved it

Not sure why I gave this book a shot, it’s completely out of my comfort zone, but I could not stop listening. The story, the narration, the characters - divine. Beautifully written and beautifully executed. If you liked A Casual Vacancy you’ll like this one.

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Loved it

Amazing audiobook ! I love all the books from this author. Great performance by the narrator.

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Sound check

Loud volume from guest voice-overs which varies greatly from the narrator. Very off-putting.

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7 people found this helpful

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Compelling

Touched on so many aspects of life and how society behaves and responds.
I would recommend this book to everyone and think it should be on school book lists because it addresses such a wide range of behaviours and would encourage discussion.

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3 people found this helpful

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  • Deb
  • 24-11-2017

Layers

Ostensibly a story about a hockey team but soon you find yourself caught up in a complex community.

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