This book was such a departure from Backman's other novels, it was almost shocking.  What was truly shocking was how deeply the story affected me.  I grew up in a small, dying town.  The atmosphere was spot on here; the desperation, hope and despondency was genuine.  As uncomfortable as the true plot became, this is NOT a story about hockey, I felt compelled to read, to finish.  It's impossible to not compare how you would react as a parent in this situation.  How you would react as a bystander, as part of the community.  Backman always makes me think, well after I've finished reading.  This is doubly true for Beartown.