A Disappointing Read with Too Many Characters - 'The Bear's Corner' Falls Flat

summarizeEditor's Summary

I've already read two books this month that everyone's raving about, but 'The Bear Pit' by Fredrik Backman fell flat for me. I was expecting a sweeping novel that covers everything from relationships to coming-of-age stories to hockey, but it just didn't deliver. The opening scenes hooked me at first, but the rest of the book felt like a letdown. I've read some of Backman's other books, like 'A Man Called Ove' and 'Britt-Marie Was Here', which really resonated with me, but 'The Bear Pit' just didn't click. I'm not sure what went wrong, but I wouldn't recommend this one. The writing is descriptive and immersive, but sometimes feels like info dumping. The characters are well-developed, if a bit one-dimensional, and the book has a strong sense of place, with vivid descriptions of Sweden. However, the plot is slow to develop and meanders at times, the characters feel underdeveloped and lack depth, and the themes are interesting, but not fully explored.

settingsSpecifications

Dil6/10

KararKötü

HikayeKalitesi2/10

HikayeGelişimi2/10

KarakterSayısı1/10

KarakterGelişimi4/10

HikayeAçıklaması3/10

I've already read two books this month that everyone's raving about, but I found this one, 'The Bear Pit' by Fredrik Backman, to be painfully dull. I decided to give it a try because LitRes kept recommending it to me, and I'd heard so many glowing reviews.

I've read some of Backman's other books, like 'Troubled Man', 'Here Comes the Swedish Girl', and 'The Last One'. Some of them really resonated with me, while others just didn't click. So, I didn't hesitate to dive into 'The Bear Pit'.

I mean, the reviews all say it's a sweeping novel that covers everything from relationships to coming-of-age stories to hockey. Plus, the opening scenes really hooked me.

Of course, I had to give it a try.

'The Bear Pit' was written back in 2016, and since then, it's spawned two sequels.

Here's what LitRes says about it:

Bjornstad - The Bear Pit - is a small, forgotten town in northern Sweden, surrounded by dense forests. The only thing that keeps the town afloat is the local junior hockey team, which once came in second place in the national championships. Hockey is more than just a sport in Bjornstad - it's the town's lifeblood. The day the team wins a game is the happiest day for the town, the team's management, the players, and the team's 17-year-old captain, Kevin Erdahl. But for 15-year-old Maya Anderson and her parents, that day was a nightmare that changed their lives forever...

The book's blurb is just as underwhelming as the actual story. Based on the description, the first page of the book, and the reviews, I was expecting a complex drama set in a small Swedish town with a hockey team at its center. But what's the actual plot about? The description doesn't give me any idea.

And then I started reading, and I'm 40 pages in, 60 pages in, 90 pages in, and I still have no idea what this story is even about. The author just keeps introducing new characters, and it feels like the story is dragging on.

My ImpressionsThe book is hard to get through because the author keeps jumping between characters. In one chapter, there are 10 different narrative voices. And there are even more characters than that. It's hard to keep track of who's who, but I think the main characters are the ones mentioned in the blurb, because they're the ones who set the story in motion.

Maya is a 15-year-old girl living with her parents. There's not much to say about her, except that she's somehow connected to the main plot twist. But I'm not going to spoil it.

Kevin's a spoiled brat who's into hockey, and he's got wealthy parents who barely give him the time of day.

I mean, there's Kevin's parents, his friends and girlfriend, and all these other hockey players, their parents, and so on. Why pack so many characters into one book if they don't affect the plot or have their own storylines?

In the beginning, it was tough. I'd just be reading about Benji, and then suddenly the chapter would switch to Ama, followed by Mira, then Mae, and David. I only listed a few, but there are way more characters.The story doesn't even kick in until the middle of the book. Like, literally halfway through – check out the orange stripe on the cover above. It's too much to handle for a coherent plot.

But after the midpoint, it got interesting because I finally knew what this book was about. Rating the second half of 'The Bear's Corner', I'd say it was a dramatic, intense read. Yeah, I felt a strong sense of injustice, the way the townspeople treated the girl and her family, and everyone who dared to stand up for them, like they were some kind of outcasts.

I think the author overdid it with the drama, and it ultimately led to a pretty divisive situation in the town. One side ended up with more support, and things took a dark turn. It would've been better if Bakman had stuck to the psychological tension without resorting to violence. The author's constant warnings that 'they had no idea how close they were to disaster' and 'the storm was brewing' created a sense of dread, but in reality, it was just a story about social injustice and bullying. The victims could've just moved away, since they weren't happy in the town anyway.In the end, Bakman brought up some important moral and social issues that aren't unique to small towns. Since I don't want to give away the plot, I'll stop there.

And then there's the hockey. The book is full of it, especially in the first half. The author goes into great detail about the team's practices, games, and locker room time. I'd rather watch hockey than read about it. It's one thing to see a player crash into the hero and both of them fly a few feet, but it's another thing entirely to read about it.

My Verdict

I think 'The Bear's Corner' should've been a thought-provoking novel that tackles real issues. Unfortunately, the writing style and the sheer number of characters made it hard to connect with anyone. I found myself getting distracted by the different storylines and characters. Despite Bakman devoting a significant portion of the book to character development, none of them really stood out to me.

I won't be reading the two sequels to 'The Bear's Corner'. This story isn't for everyone. Some people might connect with the characters and the plot, but others, like me, won't.

live_helpFeatured FAQ

Is 'The Bear Pit' a good book for fans of Fredrik Backman?

Unfortunately, no. While Backman's writing style is easy to follow and the book has some interesting themes, it just doesn't live up to his other works.

What are the main themes of 'The Bear Pit'?

The book covers everything from relationships to coming-of-age stories to hockey, but these themes are not fully explored.

Is the book well-written?

Yes, the writing is descriptive and immersive, but sometimes feels like info dumping.

Are the characters well-developed?

No, the characters feel underdeveloped and lack depth.

Is the book worth reading?

Not if you're expecting a sweeping novel that covers everything from relationships to coming-of-age stories to hockey.

What are some of Fredrik Backman's other books that I might enjoy?

Try 'A Man Called Ove' or 'Britt-Marie Was Here', which are both great examples of his writing style.

Is 'The Bear Pit' a good book for fans of hockey?

Maybe, but it's not a hockey book per se. The hockey is just one aspect of the story.

Can I return the book if I don't like it?

Yes, you can return the book if you don't like it, but be aware that the return policy may vary depending on the seller.

Is 'The Bear Pit' a good book for fans of literary fiction?

Maybe, but it's not a great example of literary fiction. The writing is descriptive, but sometimes feels like info dumping.

What are some of the main criticisms of 'The Bear Pit'?

The plot is slow to develop, the characters feel underdeveloped, and the themes are not fully explored.

Is 'The Bear Pit' a good book for fans of Swedish literature?

Yes, the book has a strong sense of place, with vivid descriptions of Sweden.

Can I borrow 'The Bear Pit' from the library?

Yes, you can borrow 'The Bear Pit' from the library, but be aware that availability may vary depending on your location.

What are some of the main strengths of 'The Bear Pit'?

The writing is descriptive and immersive, and the book has a strong sense of place, with vivid descriptions of Sweden.

check_circlePros

•The opening scenes are engaging and well-written
•Fredrik Backman's writing style is easy to follow
•The book covers some interesting themes, even if they're not fully explored
•The characters are well-developed, if a bit one-dimensional
•The book has a strong sense of place, with vivid descriptions of Sweden
•The writing is descriptive and immersive
•The book explores the complexities of relationships and coming-of-age stories
•The characters' struggles and triumphs are relatable and engaging

cancelCons

•The plot is slow to develop and meanders at times
•The characters feel underdeveloped and lack depth
•The themes are interesting, but not fully explored
•The book has too many characters, which makes it hard to keep track
•The writing is sometimes overly descriptive and feels like info dumping
•The book doesn't live up to the hype, which was a disappointment
•The characters' motivations and backstories are not fully explained
•The book's pacing is uneven and sometimes feels like a slog

Bear's Corner by Fredrik Backman