Beartown

Beartown is the first of a trilogy about a small hockey town in northern Sweden. The story revolves around the lives of a male junior hockey team. The boys have to decide between loyalty and standing up for their principals. They are not only faced with deciding what is right and what is wrong, but what is good verses evil, weakness verses strength, the "Heights" verses the "Hollows", Beartown verses Hed, and the "three C's" (character, community, and culture) verses just "Win". 

The story follows the Andersson family and the dark and disturbing rape of their 15 year old daughter by the star player. The characters are complex, particularly Benji and his secret. Several of the players show their evil gang side and divide the town by blindly supporting the star player Kevin. On the other side, the strong Andersson women, Ramona, a few supportive fathers, and even the black jackets quietly stand up for the good side of Beartown. 

The story feels a little like both "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and "Missoula" in addressing dysfunctional male athletes and a strong young woman overcoming a physical attack and injustice. Don't mess with Maya.