Us Against You by Fredrik Backman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If you have not read Beartown, go do it. If you have read Beartown, you need to read Us Against You!
Fredrik Backman has such a unique writing style and beautifully presents difficult, real life topics with ease and grace. Beartown was a story about rape. It’s impact on the victim. But, furthermore, the fallout on a grander scale as people choose sides in a “he said, she said” atmosphere.
Us Against You in the continuation of that discussion, but explores the community’s response. Who will stand with Beartown and who will run to the neighboring communities in search of new beginnings? Old friends become enemies. Families divide. Life is forever changed.
Having developed relationships with the characters in the first book, the second book allows the reader to get more in depth. The characters’ emotional connections are deeper and more profound.
It is hard to compare, but I do think Beartown is still my favorite of the two books. It had some very philosophical and enlightening commentary and quotes that are unrivaled with Us Against You. Backman still captures the same essence, and while it was close, it just wasn’t as impactful for me the second time around.
I do wonder if there will be a Beartown #3 and hope to see one in the future. I’ve come to love this small, rural, hockey town and it’s band of misfits. I would love to see what Backman can come up with next for them.
My review of Beartown can be found here.
Home Sweet Houser 
I also gave this five stars! In fact, Backman hasn’t taken even one wrong step with any of his books since his first novel, A Man Called Ove! He’s one of my favorite authors, and I’ve read everything they’ve translated into English!
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