Book description
The Winners - Audiobook Review
If you've ever been swept up in the roar of a hockey crowd or felt the sting of a town's collective grief, Fredrik Backman's The Winners will resonate with you on an almost visceral level. The audiobook delivers the same "engrossing page-turner" energy that earned the book its #1 New York Times spot, but amplified by the narrator's warm, nuanced performance.
From the opening line, the story pulls you back into Beartown-a place where loyalty and heartbreak run as deep as the ice on its newly built rink. Backman's prose is tight yet lyrical; he balances sweeping community drama with intimate character moments that feel almost like a conversation between friends. The narrator captures this duality beautifully-softening when Maya Andersson reminisces about her childhood, then tightening his voice to convey Benji Ovich's quiet determination.
What makes the audiobook stand out is its pacing. Backman's narrative beats up and down with the same rhythm as a hockey game: rapid bursts of tension during the escalating rivalry with neighboring Hed, followed by reflective pauses that let you digest the weight of loss and redemption. The narrator's use of subtle vocal inflections brings each character to life-Maya's hopeful optimism, Amat's weary resignation, and the fourteen-year-old's growing alienation all feel distinct and authentic.
The climax is nothing short of a "hell of a conclusion," as Booklist praised it, and the audiobook delivers that intensity without feeling melodramatic. The tension peaks with the looming threat of violence, and you can almost hear the crack of a gunshot echoing across the lake-yet Backman's writing remains grounded in the human stories behind those actions. It is a stark reminder that even in a town built on hockey glory, forgiveness is the most powerful game.
For fans of Friday Night Lights or anyone who loves a story that blends sports with social commentary, this audiobook is a must-listen. Backman's signature blend of humor and heart, paired with an engaging narrator, turns The Winners into more than just a book-it becomes an immersive experience that lingers long after the final track ends.
Houston
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience