Beartown is a small town with nothing much going for it; the decline of industry and tourism has wreaked havoc on its economy. Now, the hopes and dreams of the entire community rest on the success of a junior hockey team.
These teen boys are treated like celebrities and the weight of the world is on their shoulders. Parents, business sponsors, booster club members and a variety of other individuals all contribute to this high-pressure environment. Morality and justice take a back seat to winning. Nothing is more important than hockey.
A wide cast of characters, and each of them are explored in detail by the nuanced writing; Peter is the team manager, and Maya is his daughter. After winning the tournament semifinals, Maya is assaulted by the star player, the lynch-pin of the team. Now the whole town is taking sides, torn between justice for the girl and their overwhelming need to see the team succeed in the finals.
The relationships are rich and enlightening, with varying viewpoints explored in detail with context from the characters’ past. Each characters drive, desire and motivation is elucidated and explored. Everything weaves together to make a complex web, with hockey at the center. Events are inter-connected and this book explores the ripple-effect of actions.
For a while there, it seemed like this may be a difficult book for someone without a working knowledge of hockey; but while hockey is central to the book, it is not the game, but the impact of the game which is the focus. The writing is the strength of the book. Despite exploring the very detailed back stories and thought processes of a huge cast of characters, the book remains well-paced and gripping. The book is both plot driven and character driven in equal parts. The ending is satisfying, but still leaves you wanting more.