I’ve finished reading Fredrik Backman’s trilogy, Bear Town, Us Against You, and The Winners. Backman is one of my favorite contemporary authors. Readers get to know his characters in their day to day routines: what they eat; if they walk, run, or drive; if they’re good at hockey or not. Backman breaks the rule about not writing about the weather by making the weather a character in the story. Themes of survival, friendship, loyalty, and trust are entwined with heartache, loss, and grief. I’ve lost count of how many characters are in each volume of the trilogy, but my guess is close to thirty. And we get to know all of them – what they’re thinking, where they’re from, and what drives them. If you haven’t read this trilogy, I recommend it not only as a great story, but also as an example of great writing. I believe that Bear Town could be added to high school curriculum. It is more relevant and relatable than some of the classics currently on the list. Have you read it? What did you think?
