Us Against You by Fredrik Backman
Us Against You is the second book in the Beartown trilogy by Fredrik Backman. I’d previously read Beartown and The Winners and thought The Winners was the sequel. It certainly seemed to flow on well from the events of Beartown. So I was shocked when I discovered recently that they were part of a trilogy and I’d missed the book in the middle! So of course I had to read Us Against You asap.
Us Against You is simple, moving, beautiful and heartbreaking. It is a story about ice hockey (or hockey, as it’s called in the book). The action all revolves around a small town in the forest – Beartown – which is obsessed with hockey. There’s quite a big cast of characters, most of whom also feature in the first book of the series, and it focuses on their relationships and the ups and downs of the town and its people.
Beartown is still recovering from the events of the first book – when general manager’s daughter, Maya, was raped by star player, Kevin. That devastating event divided the town. There were those who thought the star player should be protected at all costs. They blamed Maya for Kevin being removed from the team for a key game. Players who supported him moved to the rival club, Hed.
Now Beartown Ice Hockey is facing bankruptcy. And a dodgy politician thinks he can save it and boost his own popularity, by playing the district’s residents off against each other.
Over the course of a few months, games are won and lost, people die, secrets come out, marriages are put under strain and a new A team is built from the remains of the Beartown team…
Us Against You, like Beartown and The Winners is an atmospheric read, which had me in tears several times. You don’t need to know about or care about ice hockey to read it. I can’t recommend it highly enough. But maybe read the entire trilogy in order. Unlike me!
I’ve had this book on my TBR list forever, ever since I finished Beartown. But it’s been so long now since I read Beartown, that I wonder if I should reread it before I start this one? I’m sure I’ve forgotten most of the characters. Glad to hear you like it though; I’ll move it up higher on my list.
I wouldn’t worry about re-reading Beartown. It all came back to me once I started reading. There is enough recap to remind you who is who and what happened to them previously.
I now remember seeing Beartown mentioned on book blogs and being interested in it (as a hockey fan!) but I never did read it. Thanks for the reminder! Stopping by from BookWorms Monthly today – Happy Reading!
If you’re a hockey fan I’m sure you will love it! I know nothing about hockey and still really enjoyed it, but I’m sure it would be even more enjoyable for someone who cares about hockey.
I absolutely love Fredrik Bachman.I did not know this is a trilogy. At least I read the first one first. I will definitely look for the next two. Thanks for the review.
You’re very welcome! I’m sure you will enjoy them.
How weird missing the middle book out! I’ve not read any of them but they do sound interesting. I do see JoJo Moyles comments on so many books, does she read more than she writes?
I genuinely had no idea I’d missed the middle one! They are beautiful books and unlike anything I’ve ever read. I would definitely recommend them.
That is a good point about Jojo Moyes! To be fair, she’s not an author who publishes a new book every year like some, so maybe she does read more than she writes!