Us Against You

 

Us Against You – by Fredrik Backman

This was a horribly depressing book, and the first one by the author that I would recommend giving a “pass” on.  First thing’s first: it is absolutely essential that you read the first book in the series “Beartown” before you read this one.  All the action here begins three weeks after the conclusion of that first novel, and without an understanding of the story, you’ll likely be lost. “Beartown” was an excellent read, and even though I’m stating you should read that one first, I’m really recommending that you read that one alone, and don’t even bother with this one.

Beartown is a dying blue collar town that is located basically in the middle of nowhere (it’s located inside something known as “The Forrest”).  The only thing this town has going for it is amateur hockey.  If you’re a child growing up in this town and can play hockey really well, you might just somewhat survive. If you can’t play hockey, however, may God have mercy on your soul. In addition to this ridiculous devotion to this sport, there’s an awful lot of suicide, survivors of suicide, alcoholism, and just plain nasty violence in this town.  This is a town where if you take a walk in the town wearing the opposing team’s colors, you just might get beaten to death. I’m being serious here.

At the conclusion of “Beartown”, a horrible crime was committed that turned this already warped town on its head. The crime was so serious, it essentially meant the possibility of no more hockey. Well, as this book begins, we pick up where we left off, and we get to watch an already depressed town sink even deeper. It’s never fun.  This book is mostly introspective. Not a lot really happens, and what does happen is never pretty.  The first novel told a good (yet depressing) story, and it was actually enjoyable  to learn and read about such a foreign place that the author brought to life.  Once the town was brought to life, however, it soon became a place where you wouldn’t want to stop and have a cup of coffee in, which is what makes this follow-up such unbearable reading.

This book is so uneventful, that it almost seems unfair to refer to it as a sequel to the first one. It’s more of an epilogue or an addendum.  Had there been any real redeeming features about the characters here, it might have been worth the read, but that sadly doesn’t happen.  Oh sure, some characters eventually find peace and/or acceptance but it all seems incredibly fabricated and contrived. Although these characters seem to find peace or a purpose, it’s pretty obvious that the very next setback will yank that person right back into their depressive doldrums.

Fredrik Backman has written some great books, but it seems as though his gift isn’t writing sequels. Beartown was a great novel. You’ll do yourself a favor if you stop after that one and let your own imagination dictate what the possibilities are for the future of the people in that town. I promise that whatever your mind conjures, it will be a lot better than what is presented here.