52 pages 1 hour read

Fredrik Backman

Us Against You

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2017

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Chapters 31-35Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 31 Summary: “Darkness”

Peter is allowed to choose a member to sit on the board for hockey, as per his recent agreement. He approaches Ramona to be the selection, and as they discuss the possibility their phones buzz with the news. The pictures of Benji kissing the teacher are all over the internet. They spread so quickly that Benji is woken up by a banging noise, which turned out to be a knife sticking a piece of paper with “Fag” written on it into the door.

Immediately, users remaining anonymous online imply that it seems like no coincidence that both the new hockey coach and a new teacher to the school are gay, but everyone is quick to try to not be identified as too homophobic. William Lyt’s mother leads the charge of concerned parents who approach the school principal about the relationship. A photoshopped image of a Beartown Ice Hockey helmet with a rainbow around it goes around, and everyone is condemned if they speak out against it or derided if they speak up for it. Maya, who knows all too well how painful it is to be dragged online, notices a photo glitch from a crack in the camera and realizes that it was Ana who took the pictures.