The Winners | Book Review | Beartown Trilogy by Fredrik Backman

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[@phychomaniac26]

What I love about Benji's death is that Backman tells you throughout the book that he dies how you'd expect him to die, and I instantly knew he would die protecting somebody. He's such an intricate and well-written character that I still cried like a baby when I got to his death scene even though I already knew he was going to die going into the book

[@ronb2008]

I was a little bummed that David didn't make an appearance in the book. Hell even Kevin did. But David was such a big part in Benji's life it just didn't seem right that he wasn't even at the funeral.

[@mainstreaminvestments8269]

Exactly. I thought the same thing.

[@NicoleWilbur]

Until he died, I was continuously in denial that Benji was going to die. I was like "Backman is lying. Maybe he'll just leave town!" The whole time. And when it happened, I sobbed til the end

[@dtvanderpool726]

I think the final page of the book might the best I've ever read in any book, ever. Bringing it back to ALL of the characters and their sacrifices for the greatest female hockey player of all time and giving the town something to be proud of forever was so emotional and satisfying. The book was definitely bloated, but that finale was so worth it. "The bear from Beartown." 😭😭😭😭

[@Merlijn1994]

The one thing I found a bit dissatisfying was that Vidar was only mentioned two or three times in the entire book. He died only two years before and I think he deserved to be mourned more than he was and Ana deserved to have her grief explored

[@nobodybutzach]

I found Benji's story line very satisfying. As you talked about, we have known that he will die since book one, and I had just assumed he would be dead in an alley somewhere because he drank himself to death. However, what Backman gave us was incredible. Ruth's story line made me so angry, and I felt for her and her brother so hard. I wanted more Peter. I was so interested in where his story was since he was no longer embedded in the hockey world. It was an interesting setup as he was now playing the support role for his wife in her career, as she did for him for years. I am very happy with how the series ended. I agree with you that Beartown could have just been the one book and it would have been amazing, but we have the privilege of Backman giving us a trilogy. I have mentioned before how you introduced me to Backman and once again I would like to thank you!

[@merphynapierreviews]

I’m so glad you love his books too! He’s an incredible autjor

[@britneynicole8903]

I have read one Backman book so far! I cannot wait to read more books by him!

[@daryafaktorovich5226]

I actually really loved this book and even though I wasn't sure about the size of the book at the beginning, I enjoyed almost every storyline and they all felt necessary for me. The themes and discussions in this series resonate with me and I'm grateful for this work. It's incredible. Also, I loved Benji's conclusion even if it hurts a lot. I dreaded it since the final part of Beartown, but Backman concluded his story in a satisfying way.

[@wemestros]

the minute you started talking about Benji i started tearing up... what a good character

[@jamielikzht]

Thank you so much for introducing me to one of my favorite authors! My sister and you are the only two I trust for recommendations :)

[@badfaith4u]

I really like how you explain your thoughts and it is a pleasure to listen to you.

[@Dougeb7]

Not gonna lie, these books don't sound like my thing. But your videos always start my day out warm and happy, like a good cup of coffee. Hope you and everyone watching has a happy day as well!

[@britneynicole8903]

I got even more excited to start the trilogy from watching this!

[@Dougeb7]

@@britneynicole8903 Carpe Librum! (Seize the Book, ha-ha!)

[@britneynicole8903]

@@Dougeb7 Yes! Agree!

[@chiky478]

I just got the audiobook from my library. I will come back and continue watching once I finish the book!

[@luiggiesan]

Really loved your review. Though I understand the sentiment on the book being too long or very repetitive (as in, “remember this character…”), I personally appreciated it. I read (actually listened) the first two books last year and really appreciated being reminded of all the characters background and plot points. BTW, the audiobook is amazing! Marin Ireland is the narrator on all three books (and Anxious People) and her performance was brilliant!!

[@AkixNabuca]

Benji was the best of us! Great review. Someone mentioned that the actor Jack Mulhern looks kinda like they imagined how Benji would look like and I have to say, I agree.

[@thejustinwestra]

I’m 75% done with The Winners so I’ll watch until you get into spoilers. I’m really loving it so far, but with so many characters I’m a curious to see how the series ends.

[@itsnotnoel]

I think the series could have been a duology if the second and third books are condensed. I thought the political issues of Peter will be bought down because of the same name in the second book (Anderson and Andersson). The political issues with Peter was kinda boring for me and I wished he just kept the storyline with Teemu. Him and Kira could have been a background character and I feel the story would have been fine. I kinda wish that there is more between Benji and Alicia's (the little girl) relationship since she was on the book cover of the second book and I thought she'll get more focus on this book. I also wish that there is more known about Ruth especially how it parallels with happened with her and Maya, and the path Mateo took could have been Leo's. The Lev and Tails storylines wasn't so interesting for me. Also Richard Theo comes just to solve the political issues (he's like a deus ex machina) he wasn't a satisfying character here.

[@diogovieira5563]

All that shit consumed so many pages and made the story worst.

[@apoorvajangale9667]

Agree with the whole review, yes the build ups just kept on building to the point where I am like when will it end - especially with Ruth's story he could have started it a bit earlier so it didn't have to be a large info dump in the 2nd half of the book. Loved Johnny, Hannah, Tess, Ted and the other 2 boys - the whole hed family. I wanted to see some more of William lyt like atleast hear something about him in the passing or so but we didn't get that. Love Zackell and her letting only Alicia play with the jersey no.16 for one national match. Benji deserves the world and more!!!!!

[@goddessneptune]

Thank you for the recap / conversation / review. I'm curious about the book but am not sure I'll ever read it. I love Backman, I'm just becoming more aware of how the media I consume can impact my mental heath (as I've been through lots of stuff myself and am highly empathic). From the first book I was also so gripped because being a Canadian from small towns, I could very much see how everything could and would play out like that. I think I'll keep reading /watching more reviews to get an idea about the final book. I'll also keep reading Backman's other stuff.

[@Amanda-qt6lc]

I enjoyed the winners, but it was too long. I agree that the corruption in the club felt unnecessary. I don't think the two reporters added enough to the story to be warranted. I loved the way Benji's end was handled. And Suna is a cinnamon roll character.

[@chichonete]

I just got it in the mail today! I'll be back when I'm finished!

[@joyfultunes]

This sounds really interesting! Might have to pick it up

[@britneynicole8903]

YESS!!!

[@britneynicole8903]

Early!! I am very excited to start this trilogy!

[@Mathue360]

I overall loved the series. I'm not sure if I needed the other two books but I'm pleased to say I enjoyed the ride. I didn't really like how little development Leo the younger brother received. I really this 3rd book would address some of the wildness Leo was getting into. So that was a bit of a disappointment. Overall I could've gone without the whole corruption section. It was a lot and I thought more marriage problems with Pete and Kira was unnecessary. I love the relatable aspect but 3 books of not addressing the issues

[@brina3497]

I haven’t read the winners yet. I’m deciding if I should re-read the other two books first. Has anyone re-read them? I’m worried that I somehow won’t like it as much the second time around and it will ruin my perception of the book. (I’ve never reread a book before that wasn’t like a classic story where you already know the main plot anyways)

[@SwedishDuckey]

This is probably heresy or something but I haven't read any of these books but I'm gonna watch this video anyway

[@britneynicole8903]

I have read Anxious People already! I am going to be starting this trilogy soon!

[@tyriquesmith8850]

Same 👀. I just like hearing Merphy talk to be honest.

[@britneynicole8903]

@@tyriquesmith8850 Same. I really value her opinions and we have very similar tastes!

[@litlbucky]

I loved the Winners & the entire series! Benji’s arc was perfect, sad but done so well. Bobo was a character I really disliked until near end of book 2 then loved his ending in the Winners. Amat has also been a favorite since 1st book, disliked his struggles in the begging of Winners, but understand what Backman was trying to get across. One character’s arc I disliked was Mumble.

[@merphynapierreviews]

Ah yes Mumble is a good one for that answer. His arc was pretty unsatisfying, I agree

[@baileeweaver1352]

I am emotionally distraught because I JUST finished it. I've decided the remedy is a horror novel that I don't care about the characters in 😢

[@rhea_khurana]

When I started The Winners, I flipped through the pages and accidentally read "...Benji's grave" and I was SO MAD. But I agree with what you said - Benji lived to take care of others (probably because he thought he couldn't do anything about himself anyway) and with so much violence around him, he'd have jumped in front of some or the other bullet anyway. And the way it was written was probably the only acceptable way to kill a character - when Matteo "...shot him in the heart. What else could he have done? Benji was all heart." 🥺 Also, it's ironic that Backman says that this story is about Alicia (an Ovich who, just once, was number 16 on Zackell's national team 🥺), and you didn't talk about Alicia at all because there were so many other things that were going on. (PS - the Black Jacket was the head of The Pack, Teemu Rinnius)

[@britneynicole8903]

What did you think about the length of The Winners? Did you think it was overly long or the perfect length to tie everything up?

[@rhea_khurana]

Could have been shorter for sure.

[@britneynicole8903]

@@rhea_khurana What is the page count?

[@rhea_khurana]

@@britneynicole8903 ~700ish

[@britneynicole8903]

@@rhea_khurana Wow!

[@atom0191]

Thank you

[@cosyreadingtimes8857]

Quite a late comment but I just binge-read this whole trilogy in a week and finished The Winners a couple of hours ago. I really loved this story so much and all these characters have a place in my heart. One tiny thing that bothered me was how Zacchal noticed Philip's (I listened to the audiobooks so the names are probably misspelled) injury after just one game in book 2, but didn't notice Amat's injury for a whole season. I didn't buy that. Otherwise, so many emotions

[@britneynicole8903]

What are some things you were surprised about from this trilogy?

[@Page_max]

Merphy when is the HxH chapter 391 review or if there will be one?

[@merphynapierreviews]

I’ll probably review several chapters in a batch like I do with One Piece :)

[@britneynicole8903]

@@merphynapierreviews Woo!!

[@oldmanjenkins8267]

Just finished today

[@madisonkelley7614]

Ok one thing I haven’t seen any reviews comment on is HOW MANY RUN ON SENTENCES there are in this book! Backmann’s style is usually so crisp, but the writing in this book is incredibly distracting. Am I crazy??

[@KierTheScrivener]

I read it without rereading the others and the recaping didn't bother me. I love the reflectiveness, there is so much that he could have condensed or cut but I personally wouldn't have removed anything. I actually missed Benji's death foreshadowed, I remember that scene in book one but it's been long enough I didn't have it actively in my head and the beginning of book 3 talking about him not growing older (it was an emotional line) but I mostly took it as a reflection on self destruction and the hope for the future not nessecarily a prediction. Ruth's story was definitely triggering and the way in which the guy gaslit her..that felt so true to life it was hard to read.

[@thomasray]

I read it right AFTER the first two and I didn't mind it either. I think book 3 throwing us into the perspectives of Hed people was a little overwhelmed at first, so being walked through some familiar events helped me get into the (kind of massive) book

[@rachelspencer9456]

🧡📚🧡📚🧡📚🧡

[@marshwiggle8364]

fyi something is wrong with the thumbnail.

[@britneynicole8903]

Yes. Do you see the gray background? That is what I saw. It flickered between the thumbnail and gray background. Is that what you saw?

[@marshwiggle8364]

Yes. But it looks fine now

[@britneynicole8903]

@@marshwiggle8364 I agree. I checked it again.