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We Against You by Fredrik Backman
I just finished reading We Against You by Fredrik Backman and I'm still reeling from the experience. This book is a wild ride that'll keep you up all night, wondering what's gonna happen next. It's a story about complex relationships and the human connection, but it's also got a wicked sense of humor that'll keep you laughing even in the tough moments. Fredrik Backman's writing is like a punch to the gut - it's raw, it's real, and it's gonna make you feel all the feels. Trust me, you won't be able to put this one down.
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A Mixed Bag: My Thoughts on 'My Against You'
summarizeEditor's Summary
I just finished reading the second part of the 'Medvedy Ugol' trilogy, 'My Against You', and I'm still reeling from it. While the first part was absolutely perfect and spot on, I have some issues with the second part. The story of the small town of Børnstad continues, but the second part doesn't feel like it's been forced out of thin air or manufactured to ride the success of the first book. I gotta say, the plot is engaging, but it's not without its flaws. If you enjoyed the first part, you'll likely enjoy the second part too, but be prepared for some mixed emotions. One of the things that kept me invested in the story was the well-developed characters. They're relatable, and the author does a great job of exploring their emotional depth. The writing is descriptive and immersive, making it easy to get lost in the world of the story. However, the pacing can be a bit uneven at times, and some of the plot twists feel forced and unearned. The themes of the book are thought-provoking, but they're not always well-explored. The ending feels a bit abrupt and doesn't provide enough closure, which was a bit disappointing. Overall, I'd say that 'My Against You' is a mixed bag. It's not the strongest part of the trilogy, but it's still worth reading if you're invested in the story and characters.
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Kararİyi
HikayeYönü7/10
HikayeKalitesi8/10
KarakterGeliştirme9/10
Hello everyone!
I just finished reading the second part of the 'Medvedy Ugol' trilogy, 'My Against You', and I'm still reeling from it, so I thought I'd write this review right away.
To be honest, the second part left me with mixed feelings. While the first part was absolutely perfect and spot on, I have some issues with the second part. I wouldn't say they're major issues, but they did bug me a bit while I was reading.
Plot
Although the first book wrapped up nicely and left me with no questions for the author, the second part doesn't feel like it's been forced out of thin air or manufactured to ride the success of the first book.
In 'My Against You', the story of the small town of Børnstad continues. After the events of the first part, which shook everyone in the town, some time has passed. This incident has left no one unscathed and has had a lasting impact not only on individual people but also on the town as a whole. In this part, Bäckman shows how one action can tear lives apart, become a stumbling block for entire families, and get people involved in politics who didn't want to be.
If I get to the point without giving away any spoilers, the story is still about the hockey team, the families, and the ordinary people... The hockey club is on the brink of collapse, many players have moved to the rival team's squad, and the investments have followed suit. The club, and with it the whole town, are in a tough spot, and a savior appears in the form of a politician. He starts playing his game and drags the main character into it, forcing him to make tough decisions.
If my description isn't enough, you can always check out the annotation with a quote:
"My Against You" continues the story started in the book "Medvedy Ugol" about the small town of Børnstad, hidden deep in the north of Sweden. The people living there are tough, proud, and hardworking, not used to expecting favors from fate. All their hopes for a better life are tied to the local hockey team, which is counting on winning the national tournament. But tragic events on the eve of a crucial match divide the town's population into two camps, and the club is threatened with closure: its best players, and then the coach, leave for the rival team from the neighboring town, along with the sponsor's money. The people of "Medvedy Ugol" are lost and downtrodden...
But life gives the town a chance - new faces appear, and with them, the opportunity to revive the beloved team, which no one abandoned, and the swift Amat, the unbridled Bényi, and the good-natured, reliable Bubu.
As the decisive match draws near, the sporting rivalry gradually turns into an open war: one side, blinded by emotions, makes irreversible mistakes, while the other is happy to pour oil on the flames of mutual hatred... What will "My Against You" lead to?
Characters
Almost all the characters are still in place, except for one. I won't mention their names to avoid spoiling the plot twists, in case you haven't read the first part yet.
I really appreciated how the second part delves deeper into some of the characters. While the first part focused on just a few main characters, this part reveals almost all the key characters and even touches on some of the secondary ones.
A few new characters are added, and at first, I found it confusing – I thought there were too many characters. But in this story, each one has their place, plays their role, and is important in their own way.
Atmosphere
'We Against You' is even darker than 'Medvedy Ugol'. While reading, I never got the sense of bright colors in my mind, except for the red and green hockey jerseys – but even those colors were muted in my imagination. The story is serious, tragic, and True.
So True that it's scary. It's not just the overall plot I'm talking about, but specific events that come together and are dropped at the most inopportune moment (for those events, every moment is inopportune). Betrayal, bullying because someone doesn't fit in, unrequited love, envy, jealousy, indifference, death, hopelessness, misunderstanding, and indifference.
Author's techniques
Fredrik Backman is a master of 'hooks'. He writes spoilers at the beginning and then asks you to find out how it happened by reading the whole book.
He also uses these 'hooks' throughout the book. For example, several times in different chapters and parts of chapters, he might write (e.g.) 'they're happy now, but it won't last' – and I'd be on edge, wondering why, how, and what's next. And only at the end does the author give us the explanation!
Another recognizable trait of the author is his use of short, punchy, and effective sentences. He doesn't use complex, flowery, or deceptively complex sentence structures. No, his sentences are clear, loud, and hit you right in the face. They're jarring and leave you breathless.
Personal impressions
I enjoyed it, and I'll definitely read the third part of the trilogy – it's already available online.
Backman is my go-to author. I like how he writes and what he writes. His characters are like my neighbors, friends, parents, kids, and even myself. In each of his characters, I recognize someone close to me. His stories are so honest and True that they could happen on my street.
As for 'We Against You', it's a worthy continuation. The story logically unfolds like it's real, not just fictional.
The characters are developed further, wider, and deeper. The problems become more mature, serious, and tragic. This is a book about consequences. About the importance of the decisions we make.
One thing that really stood out to me was how the relationships between couples, teenagers, kids and parents, old and young, friends and foes were portrayed.
The downsides
I mentioned at the beginning that for me, this book has its downsides, and one of them is way too much politics. I think there's just too much focus on the politician character and the politics in general.
Yes, it's woven into the story and it's a big part of it, even a turning point. But honestly, I could've done without it.
The verdict
I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who's willing to take a deep dive and get a little uncomfortable. It's not a light read, and you won't be able to just lounge in the bath with a face mask and finish it in one sitting.
"We're against you" had me feeling a real emotional punch, and it didn't let go even after I finished the last page. It's not because the story is sappy or tragic, but because it tackles some heavy stuff that we all deal with in life, and it's tough to read about.
Fredrik Backman's "A Man Called Ove" - a complex story with multi-dimensional characters.
live_helpFeatured FAQ
Is the second part of the 'Medvedy Ugol' trilogy as good as the first part?
While the first part was absolutely perfect and spot on, the second part has some issues. It feels like it's been rushed and doesn't quite live up to the first part.
What's the plot of 'My Against You'?
The story of the small town of Børnstad continues, but the second part doesn't feel like it's been forced out of thin air or manufactured to ride the success of the first book.
Are the characters well-developed in 'My Against You'?
Yes, the characters are well-developed and relatable. The author does a great job of exploring their emotional depth.
Is the writing in 'My Against You' descriptive and immersive?
Yes, the writing is descriptive and immersive. It's a great job of transporting you to the world of the story.
What are the themes of 'My Against You'?
The themes of the book are thought-provoking, but they're not always well-explored. The book raises interesting questions and makes you think.
Is the ending of 'My Against You' satisfying?
The ending feels a bit abrupt and doesn't provide enough closure. It's not the strongest part of the book, but it's still worth reading.
Is 'My Against You' worth reading?
If you enjoyed the first part, you'll likely enjoy the second part too. It's not without its flaws, but it's still a great read.
Can I return 'My Against You' if I don't like it?
Yes, you can return 'My Against You' if you don't like it. The return policy is straightforward and easy to understand.
How does 'My Against You' compare to the first part of the trilogy?
While the first part was absolutely perfect and spot on, the second part has some issues. It feels like it's been rushed and doesn't quite live up to the first part.
check_circlePros
- •The plot is engaging and continues the story of the small town of Børnstad
- •The characters are well-developed and relatable
- •The author does a great job of exploring the emotional depth of the characters
- •The writing is descriptive and immersive
- •The story is thought-provoking and raises interesting questions
- •The pacing is well-balanced and keeps you invested in the story
- •The themes of the book are well-explored and resonate with the reader
- •The characters' development is consistent and satisfying
cancelCons
- •The second part feels like it's been rushed and doesn't quite live up to the first part
- •There's too much politics involved, which can be overwhelming at times
- •Some of the plot twists feel forced and unearned
- •The character development is a bit uneven
- •The themes of the book are not always well-explored
- •The ending feels a bit abrupt and doesn't provide enough closure
- •The pacing can be a bit uneven at times
- •The book could benefit from a more detailed world-building
