Us Against You

by Fredrik Backman, Sweden.
The residents of beartown are tough, hardworking people who don't expect life to be easy or fair. They've always been able to take pride in their local ice hockey team, especially when they are victorious over their longtime rivals in the neighboring town of Hed. But just when it seems that Beartown Ice Hockey might be disbanded due to the defection of their best players to Hed, the team gets a surprising new coach - and a chance at a comeback. Bringing the team together, however, proves to a challenge as old bonds are broken, new ones are formed, and the bitterness between the adversaries threatens to turn into violence. With immense compassion and insight, Backman reveals how loyalty, friendship and kindness can carry a town through its most challenging days.
Paperback, 442pp. 2018