Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Beartown
- Author: Fredrik Backman
- Narrator: Marin Ireland
- Length: 13:10:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 25/04/2017
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
- Genre: Fiction & Literature, Literary Fiction, General
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
It’s not often a story grabs you by the heart and refuses to let go, but Fredrik Backman’s “Beartown”, narrated by the incredible Marin Ireland, does just that. I first popped this audiobook into my ears while driving through the rugged, pine-draped backroads of northern Maine – a place not unlike Beartown itself, where the air smells of frost and dreams cling to the edges of everyday life. The story unfolds like a slow winter dusk, quiet at first, then piercingly alive with the weight of human connection, loyalty, and the kind of heartbreak that lingers like a cold wind through the trees.
“Beartown” is a tale of a small forest town pinning its hopes on a junior hockey team, a group of teenage boys carrying the weight of their community’s pride on their young shoulders. There’s Kevin, the star player with a golden future; Amat, the underdog with fire in his veins; and Benji, the wild soul who’d bleed for his friends. The ice rink is their sanctuary, their stage, until a violent act shatters everything, leaving a young girl scarred and the town rippling with accusations and guilt. Backman doesn’t just tell a story – he carves out a world so vivid you can almost feel the crunch of snow underfoot, hear the slap of a puck against the boards, taste the bitter coffee in the stands.
This audiobook experience hit me on a personal level. It reminds me of a time when I was camped out in a tiny fishing village in Newfoundland, listening to the locals swap tales over steaming mugs of tea. One night, an old fisherman recounted how a storm had taken his brother years ago, and the way his voice cracked – it was raw, unguarded, real. That’s the kind of storytelling Marin Ireland brings to “Beartown”. Her narration is a masterclass in emotional depth, shifting effortlessly from the gruff tones of a hockey coach to the fragile tremble of a girl finding her voice. She doesn’t just read the words; she lives them, pulling you into the heart of this town like a friend whispering secrets by a fire.
The themes here – loyalty, community, the cost of ambition – run deep. Backman’s got a knack for peeling back the layers of human nature, showing how we disappoint the ones we love most, how we wrestle with the choices that define us. It’s literary fiction at its finest, wrapped in the grit of a sports story. I couldn’t help but think of Oaxaca, where I once stayed with a family whose grandmother spun tales every night. She’d pause at just the right moment, letting silence do the heavy lifting, and Ireland does the same – her pacing is impeccable, giving every beat of tension or tenderness room to breathe.
The audio quality itself is crisp, immersive – Simon & Schuster Audio didn’t skimp here. At 13 hours, it’s a commitment, but one that flies by. Ireland’s voice carries you through the sprawling cast of characters, each one distinct, from the weary parents to the fierce teens. If I had to nitpick, I’d say the slower early chapters might test your patience if you’re not in the mood to settle in. But stick with it – the payoff is worth every second.
Compared to Backman’s other works like “Anxious People”, “Beartown” is darker, more grounded in the physicality of its setting. It’s less whimsical, more bruising, but it shares that same thread of empathy that makes him a standout in literary fiction. If you’ve ever loved “Friday Night Lights” for its raw look at small-town sports culture, or “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah for its emotional heft, this audiobook will feel like home.
Who’s this for? Anyone who craves a story that’s equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking, who doesn’t mind a slow burn that erupts into something unforgettable. If you’re new to audiobooks, Ireland’s performance is a perfect entry point – she makes listening feel like an event. And if you can snag it free (check Audiobooks.com for deals), even better – 13 hours of this quality for nothing is a steal.
Reflecting on it now, “Beartown” took me back to those moments of travel where I’ve felt the pulse of a place through its people – their triumphs, their wounds. It’s not just a story about hockey or a town; it’s about us, the messy, beautiful ways we hold each other up and let each other down. Listening to it felt like sitting around that Newfoundland fire again, wrapped in a tale that’s as cold and warm as the world itself.
Until our next adventure in stories, stay curious and keep listening,
Marcus Rivera
