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The Winners: A Novel (Beartown Series) Hardcover – September 27, 2022
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Over the course of two weeks, everything in Beartown will change.
Maya Andersson and Benji Ovich, two young people who left in search of a life far from the forest town, come home and joyfully reunite with their closest childhood friends. There is a new sense of optimism and purpose in the town, embodied in the impressive new ice rink that has been built down by the lake.
Two years have passed since the events that no one wants to think about. Everyone has tried to move on, but there’s something about this place that prevents it. The destruction caused by a ferocious late-summer storm reignites the old rivalry between Beartown and the neighboring town of Hed, a rivalry which has always been fought through their ice hockey teams.
Maya’s parents, Peter and Kira, are caught up in an investigation of the hockey club’s murky finances, and Amat—once the star of the Beartown team—has lost his way after an injury and a failed attempt to get drafted into the NHL. Simmering tensions between the two towns turn into acts of intimidation and then violence. All the while, a fourteen-year-old boy grows increasingly alienated from this hockey-obsessed community and is determined to take revenge on the people he holds responsible for his beloved sister’s death. He has a pistol and a plan that will leave Beartown with a loss that is almost more that it can stand.
As it beautifully captures all the complexities of daily life and explores questions of friendship, loyalty, loss, and identity, this emotion-packed novel asks us to reconsider what it means to win, what it means to lose, and what it means to forgive.
- Print length688 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherAtria Books
- Publication dateSeptember 27, 2022
- Dimensions6 x 2.2 x 9 inches
- ISBN-101982112794
- ISBN-13978-1982112790
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Also by Fredrik Backman |
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Review
“Backman leaves no emotion unturned, sweeping up the reader in riveting family dramas that jump the boundaries of hockey-town rivalries. Another winner.” —Library Journal (starred review)
“Fredrik Backman is known for his engrossing page-turners, and his latest novel follows suit...A story of revenge, loss, and forgiveness.” —Woman’s World
"Beartown has been the backdrop to some of the darkest dramas of the human heart, but there are still more secrets, rivalries and resentments to contend with in this final installment." —Bookpage
"[A] dramatic and highly satisfying novel, building on themes introduced in the first two books and brilliantly drawing the reader deeply into the story. The translation is nimble and idiomatic, perfectly conveying Backman’s love of language and his wonderful sense of humor. If this really is the last Beartown novel, it’s a hell of a conclusion to an outstanding series" —Booklist, starred review
“Everything Backman’s pen touches oozes with insight and heart. The Winners is sure to be another winner.” —Amazon Book Review
“Backman writes with wit and sincerity and is a talented web-spinner.” —Kirkus
“An often dark, moving story...The book, which works as a standalone read, begins with a devastating storm that leaves a path of destruction in its wake, adding heat to the simmering rivalry between Beartown and the nearby, less-prosperous town of Hed. It’s a world full of both conflict and kindness, where, as the narrator notes, ‘sport is about much more than sport.’” —AARP.com
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Atria Books; First Edition (September 27, 2022)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 688 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1982112794
- ISBN-13 : 978-1982112790
- Item Weight : 1.85 pounds
- Dimensions : 6 x 2.2 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #69,334 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #678 in Humorous Fiction
- #821 in Small Town & Rural Fiction (Books)
- #5,612 in Literary Fiction (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Fredrik Backman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, Britt-Marie Was Here, Beartown, Us Against You, and two novellas, And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer and The Deal of a Lifetime, as well as one work of nonfiction, Things My Son Needs to Know About the World. His books are published in more than forty countries. His next novel, Anxious People, will be published in September 2020. He lives in Stockholm, Sweden, with his wife and two children. Connect with him on Facebook and Twitter @BackmanLand or on Instagram @Backmansk.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers enjoy the story and find it heartwarming, touching, and humbling. They appreciate the well-developed characters and the writing style. The ending is satisfying and fitting, providing a nice conclusion to the trilogy. Readers praise the series as phenomenal and one of their favorite series of all time.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the story and find the characters well-developed. They describe the series as phenomenal, powerful storytelling, and a brilliant conclusion. Readers appreciate the relatable characters and their wins and losses. Overall, they say the book holds their attention with its tense undercurrent.
"...Mr. Bachman is a truly wonderful and unique author; without reservation, I highly, highly recommend this and the other books of Mr. Bachman's that I..." Read more
"...many of the same basic themes as its predecessors, it still holds the reader’s attention with its tense undercurrent of emotion...." Read more
"What a beautifully written story! Such depth in every character that the town itself is a character and hockey is a character...." Read more
"...I have now read all of Fredrick Backman's books. He is a great writer. His characters are flawed and sometimes quirky, but I came to love them all...." Read more
Customers find the book heartwarming and emotional. They describe it as a poignant, touching, and heartfelt story that explores life's ups and downs. Readers appreciate the powerful story of pain, suffering, and love. The characters are relatable and the author touches on deep questions about life.
"...Each character is vividly depicted, with their own unique motivations, desires, and flaws. They are each complex and multidimensional human beings...." Read more
"...The book was touching and heartfelt, the end had me feeling so emotional, even shed a tear...." Read more
"A stimulus for compassion, Blackman gets to the center of what it is to be human...." Read more
"...The climax of the book is rolling. This builds tension as one keeps expecting the worse in the story line, like a good game of chess you knew you’d..." Read more
Customers appreciate the well-developed characters and their stories. The author closes many characters' stories with depth and humanity, making the book a moving experience.
"...The story and its characters are instantly relatable, and I was drawn into the towns, their rivalry, the hockey, the people, the atmosphere - all of..." Read more
"...Each character is vividly depicted, with their own unique motivations, desires, and flaws. They are each complex and multidimensional human beings...." Read more
"...Each and every character is described in such detail that you just feel like you know them personally, as if the author knows how to reach our souls..." Read more
"What a beautifully written story! Such depth in every character that the town itself is a character and hockey is a character...." Read more
Customers praise the writing quality of the book. They say it's beautifully written, with bold and clear characters. The author is great at writing people, not just characters. They appreciate the artistry and depth of sensitivity of Mr. Backman. The book features realistic dialogue, humor, brilliantly woven stories, and breathtaking moments.
"...captivating, largely because Mr. Bachman draws his characters in such a bold, clear, yet deep manner...." Read more
"...third novel in the Beartown series and while it is clearly written in the same voice and explores many of the same basic themes as its predecessors,..." Read more
"...I have now read all of Fredrick Backman's books. He is a great writer. His characters are flawed and sometimes quirky, but I came to love them all...." Read more
"...Beautifully describes all of it with passion and detail enough but not too much. Because his words and characters are us." Read more
Customers find the ending satisfying and fitting. They appreciate the relationships and human spirit story with many subplots that are resolved. Readers enjoy the suspenseful plot twists and surprises around every corner. The characters are described as interesting and complex.
"...I very much enjoyed the hints dropped casually throughout this book about what may or may not happen to the characters and their relationships...." Read more
"What a great way to end the series!!! Upon arrival of the book, I was already overwhelmed by the size of it lol...." Read more
"...Read the other 2 Beartown books and always glad for a good wrap up conclusion...." Read more
"Great ending to an amazing series!!! I would still rank Us Against You as my favorite of the series...." Read more
Customers enjoyed the series. They found it to be a great conclusion to the Beartown trilogy and one of their favorite fiction works. The story was long but provided everything they needed in the trilogy.
"...Although the story was long, it was everything we needed in the trilogy and more...." Read more
"...There is a chapter in this book that is simply the best in the trilogy but I really did not like the last 25% of the book. So disappointing...." Read more
"Great ending to an amazing series!!! I would still rank Us Against You as my favorite of the series...." Read more
"...This book, and the whole trilogy, are one of my favorite fiction works of all time...." Read more
Customers find the book insightful and relatable. They say it captures the heart and soul of a small town. Readers appreciate the author's understanding of small towns and human spirits. The book is about more than hockey, it's about community and what the town will do.
"...The story and its characters are instantly relatable, and I was drawn into the towns, their rivalry, the hockey, the people, the atmosphere - all of..." Read more
"...By the way, our girls hockey team is outstanding and does better than the boys." Read more
"...and the other two in this series is about more than hockey, it is about community and what the town will do to protect it...." Read more
"...There are a lot of lessons in this series and I hope I can remember them all. Enjoy the skate…" Read more
Customers have differing views on the book's pacing. Some find it captivating and thought-provoking, while others feel it starts slowly and drags at times.
"...He is a great writer. His characters are flawed and sometimes quirky, but I came to love them all. His books tell a great story and touch the heart." Read more
"...Each book, including this one were slow to start, for me." Read more
"Perfect ending to this series. Laugh, cry, reflect, contemplate…this is a book lover’s dream come true, for the third time." Read more
"This had a really really long beginning for me. I don’t care about hockey, live in California and am a city girl...." Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2022This is my third Fredrik Bachman book (A Man Called Ove and Anxious People are the others). I was swept away into a world I know nothing about - hockey in two small towns in northern Sweden. The story is captivating, largely because Mr. Bachman draws his characters in such a bold, clear, yet deep manner. But most of all, the writing style is unique in my experience; it is at once casual (not formal and off-putting nor pro forma as in many fiction books), almost conversational, yet has a depth that is almost never to be found in fictional books. The story and its characters are instantly relatable, and I was drawn into the towns, their rivalry, the hockey, the people, the atmosphere - all of it. The other books by Mr. Bachman which I have read are similar in style and in their ability to capture character, mood, place and relationships. I very much enjoyed the hints dropped casually throughout this book about what may or may not happen to the characters and their relationships. There is not a single false step in what is nearly a 700 page book. I was quite teary-eyed over the last several pages, as events unfold and the futures of the characters are revealed. Mr. Bachman is a truly wonderful and unique author; without reservation, I highly, highly recommend this and the other books of Mr. Bachman's that I have read.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2022The Winners by Fredrik Backman is the third novel in the Beartown series and while it is clearly written in the same voice and explores many of the same basic themes as its predecessors, it still holds the reader’s attention with its tense undercurrent of emotion. It continues the thought-provoking exploration of the ways in which the past can shape and influence the present.
While hockey is the preeminent context for the novels of this series, it is, in a real sense, just the context, as the story woven throughout is fundamentally about the human condition, and thus speaks to anyone, hockey fan or not. This is accomplished (as in the first two novels) by insightful character development. Each character is vividly depicted, with their own unique motivations, desires, and flaws. They are each complex and multidimensional human beings. As they come to terms with their own mortality and the memories of their past, they are forced to confront the ways in which their choices and actions have shaped their lives and relationships. Isn’t this a struggle we all must confront at some point?
Backman's storytelling skills are again unwavering in this third novel, and talent for creating deeply human and relatable characters and exploring complex and timely themes holds strong. I highly recommend it to be read in sequence with the first two books in the series.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2022Fans of the BEARTOWN trilogy were looking forward to seeing what happened to Benji, Maya, Peter and Kira Anderson, Ana, Maya’s best friend and Amat.
What we got were even more characters and a rather choppy read. When on stage, none of them got to go any kind of distance without being interrupted. This being said, the book had its moments, especially when Ana was featured. There’s a terrible wind storm in the forest; a man and his pregnant wife are trying to make it to the hospital when they’re stymied by fallen trees. A new character, Hannah, a midwife, is called upon to rescue the mother and the baby. The only way for her to get there is for Ana to drive her. Ana knows the forest better than anybody except for her father who’s too drunk to drive. As Hannah says, Ana is the type of person who runs toward the fire. Another touching moment happens toward the end of the book when Ana gives Hannah a mother’s day card. Ana never had a mother, but she made mother’s day cards with her fellow students, and she gives one to Hannah as thanks for being the mother she never had.
The climax of the story is another rape, and once again the girl, Ruth, isn’t believed. She leaves the forest only to die of a drug overdose, but her brother Matteo never forgets what happened to her and the boy who did it. He wants revenge.
Readers will remember the little girl Sune, the A-team coach, was teaching to play hockey. Alicia forms a relationship with Benji, one of the mainstays from the first two books, when Sune’s dog is poisoned. They go to the hockey arena and he teaches her how to deal with stress. She will go on to be a national team super star. Benji and Alicia become implicated in the climax when Matteo seeks revenge.
There is another sub plot dealing with an editor in chief on the Hed newspaper who discovers all kinds of shady goings on the hockey team that implicate Peter Anderson. Tails, the owner of the supermarket, is the real culprit there. Backman is a master of bringing so-called villains back from the depths. Tails proves he has a conscience, and a character named Lev whom we meet in connection with Amat’s attempt to get drafted into the NHL also proves to be misunderstood. Lev tries to make money by charging the various clubs for an interview with Amat. Amat isn’t drafted. Later Lev, who owns a junkyard near Hed, tries to stop Matteo when he finds out he has a gun.
Backman also has a penchant for foreshadowing. For instance we know who’s going to get killed during the Matteo climax. Rather than provide an epilogue to give us info on what happens to the major characters and some of the minor ones, Backman intrudes on the ending and simply tells us. This will be the last Beartown novel, and he tries to fill in all the gaps, but a few characters, like Big City, just disappear.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2023What a great way to end the series!!! Upon arrival of the book, I was already overwhelmed by the size of it lol. Although the story was long, it was everything we needed in the trilogy and more.
The characters we all loved all came full circle, we even saw new ones in this last book. Each and every character is described in such detail that you just feel like you know them personally, as if the author knows how to reach our souls. Each of the characters stories are unique and touching. I knew the ending would be sad, but still was caught off guard. The book was touching and heartfelt, the end had me feeling so emotional, even shed a tear.
The authors way of describing just about anything is so amazing! I truly love his style of writing. I can't wait for his next book/series to release. A must read.
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!!! The entire series is amazing!!!What a great way to end the series!!! Upon arrival of the book, I was already overwhelmed by the size of it lol. Although the story was long, it was everything we needed in the trilogy and more.
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2023
The characters we all loved all came full circle, we even saw new ones in this last book. Each and every character is described in such detail that you just feel like you know them personally, as if the author knows how to reach our souls. Each of the characters stories are unique and touching. I knew the ending would be sad, but still was caught off guard. The book was touching and heartfelt, the end had me feeling so emotional, even shed a tear.
The authors way of describing just about anything is so amazing! I truly love his style of writing. I can't wait for his next book/series to release. A must read.
Images in this review - Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2024What a beautifully written story! Such depth in every character that the town itself is a character and hockey is a character. I loved the other 2 books but this was just amazing - I’d scream if this became a Netflix series!!!!
- Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2024Highly recommend! I have now read all of Fredrick Backman's books. He is a great writer. His characters are flawed and sometimes quirky, but I came to love them all. His books tell a great story and touch the heart.
Top reviews from other countries
- P.A.WReviewed in Canada on April 21, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Adored this book!
"The Winners" is the third book in a trilogy by this author. I've read all three books and have laughed and cried over all of them and am bitterly sorry to have to say goodbye to the characters. These books are about hockey on one level but on a different level about parents and children and being old and young and love and hate. But all told with real heart. Please read the trilogy in order and have patience to let the author tell his story.
Highly recommended
- Ilecia BaboolalReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 6, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Great end to the trilogy
Truly an amazing author. A great story that actually moved me to tears. I look forward to reading more from him!
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ElisabeteReviewed in Spain on February 26, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfeito
Chegou rápido em perfeitas condições.
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Fuchs JoanReviewed in Germany on August 29, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Würdiger Abschluss
Ich habe viel gelacht, viel geweint und manchmal war mir vor Spannung auch schlecht. Man weiss ja knapp, was geschehen wird, das aber dennoch zu lesen, war manchmal fast unerträglich. Viel Weisheit reingepackt, ich mochte vor allem, dass man gute Eltern ist, wenn die Kinder leben und genug saubere Unterwäsche haben. Er schafft es einfach, so zu schreiben, dass man nicht mit lesen aufhören will. Man hätte das Buch schon kürzen können, vieles wird wiederholt, aber es wird aus verschiedenen Perspektiven wiederholt und das macht es wichtig. Jede einzelne Person der Geschichte hat ihr Gewicht und bekommt auch genug Aufmerksamkeit. 5 Sterne.
- NIkitaReviewed in India on April 24, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning masterpiece by one of the greatest authors I have come to love.
What can I say about Backman that hasn't been said already - that I haven't said already? Last book in the series - I can’t even tell you what I am feeling after reading this masterpiece. He had to go ahead and break my heart. He had to go ahead and smother me in an avalanche of emotions. He had to go ahead and teach me some hard lessons. He had to go ahead and make me feel all the feels. Was it the ending that I was looking for? Well with Backman it hardly ever is.
I cannot write much about the story without giving too much away. I can say that those dear to us who had left Beartown are back. I can say that the unthinkable happens. I can say that new characters are introduced - some will break you and some will make you sigh. I can say that you will fall more deeply in love with the person you loved before. I can say that you will laugh, you will cry and you will hug this book tightly once it is over. I can say that each and every page of this book is peppered with wisdom. I can say that you will feel like annotating each and every page of this book.
“We fool ourselves that we can protect the people we love, because if we accepted the truth we’d never let them out of our sight.”
There is so much I want to say about this book that I can go on forever. Right from the first page, this book will grab you by the throat and not let go. You will be choked with emotions and you will spill a tear or two. Benji, Alicia, Ana, Maya, Peter, Kira, Bobo, Johnny, Hannah, Ramona, Teemu and so many more will stay in your heart forever. I took my time reading this book because I did not want it to get over, secondly, there was so much to absorb in this book that you cannot rush it.
Stunning masterpiece by one of the greatest authors I have come to love. Absolutely recommend.