The Winners cover art

The Winners

From the instant international bestselling author of My Friends

 Preview

Get 30 days of Premium Plus free

£8.99/month after 30-day free trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for £0.00
More purchase options
Buy Now for £16.99

Buy Now for £16.99

About this listen

 FROM THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF MY FRIENDS.

'I utterly believed in the residents of Beartown, and felt ripped apart by the events in the book' JOJO MOYES

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO STAND TOGETHER?

‘It’s often said that winners write history, but there are no winners here’

This is a small story about big questions.
It's a story about family, community, life.
It starts with a storm - and a death.
But how does it end?

Two years have passed since the events that no one wants to think about. Everyone has tried to move on, but there’s something about this place that prevents it. The residents continue to grapple with life’s big questions: What is a family? What is a community? And what, if anything, are we willing to sacrifice in order to protect them?

As the locals of Beartown struggle to overcome the past, great change is on the horizon. Someone is coming home after a long time away. Someone will be laid to rest. Someone will fall in love, someone will try to fix their marriage, and someone will do anything to save their children. Someone will submit to hate, someone will fight, and someone will grab a gun and walk towards the ice rink.

So what are the residents of Beartown willing to sacrifice for their home?

Everything.

PRAISE FOR THE BEARTOWN BOOKS:

'This is a stunning read that plunges you into another world. Backman writes with incredible sensitivity and insight. Every one of the characters is real and multi-faceted, having you breathlessly turning the pages, following their fears and hopes, fretting for their futures. This is storytelling at its best: Emotional, vivid, wise and utterly brilliant' HAZEL PRIOR

'Surrounded by impenetrable forests, Beartown recreates the stifling atmosphere of a dying community. A mature, compassionate novel' SUNDAY TIMES

'Backman can tickle the funny bone and tug on the heart strings when he needs to, and is a clever enough storyteller to not overindulge in either' INDEPENDENT

'As popular Swedish exports go, Backman is up there with ABBA and Stieg Larsson' THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW

'Backman is a masterful writer' KIRKUS REVIEW Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Small Town & Rural World Literature Heartfelt Tear-jerking Inspiring Sports Thought-Provoking
All stars
Most relevant
I didn’t like the way the narrator portrayed Ana. I preferred the narrator of the first two in the series.

Possibly the best book I’ve ever read

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
even though the translation, it's a masterpiece. I did miss the narrator from the previous two books though. I didn't like how this narrator made the women sound all whiney.

great, satisfying end to the series

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I absolutely loved this book and Bear Town trilogy. It was a great way to wrap things up.
Over the past year Fredrik Backman has become one of my favourite authors. Such a talented writer. The narrater was also excellent, not the first time I have heard her.. she adds the right tone.

sad to say goodbye to Bear Town

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Love this trio of books, listened back to back… Such great writing with a good end to the story. Perfect tale of humanity, love and community - triumph over adversity. All hail the bears from Beartown

Great series

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
would listen to it again. a great writer and a very good translation. Beckman is unique

simply brilliant

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews