Who Would Like This Book:
Fredrik Backman fans will feel right at home with this warm, witty, and profound exploration of what it means to be human. The book cleverly combines humor, quirky characters, and deeper reflections on forgiveness, connection, and the baggage we all carry. You'll laugh out loud at the ridiculous hostage situation, then unexpectedly find yourself moved by the characters’ vulnerabilities and insights. If you enjoy stories that balance heart and hilarity - think a lighter, more comedic take on locked-room mysteries or character-driven ensemble dramas - this one’s for you.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you prefer fast-paced plots or dislike non-linear timelines and multiple points of view, this book may frustrate you. Some readers found the meandering style, choppy chapters, and back-and-forth storytelling disjointed or repetitive. The humor doesn’t land for everyone - if circular conversations, snarky asides, or over-the-top characters aren’t your thing, you might not connect with Backman’s style. Others felt the themes - such as mental health and forgiveness - were a bit heavy or the attempts at emotional impact too obvious or manipulative.
About:
'Anxious People' by Fredrik Backman is a story that revolves around a bank robbery gone wrong, where the bank robber inadvertently takes a group of people hostage during an apartment showing. The novel delves into the lives of these characters, their personal dramas, and their interactions as they navigate through this unexpected situation. The writing style of the book is described as quirky, humorous, heartwarming, and filled with insightful observations about human nature and relationships. The plot unfolds in a small town in Sweden on New Year's Eve, with a mix of humor, pathos, and wise words about life and love.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Anxious People includes content warnings for themes of suicide, anxiety, and mental health struggles, which may affect some readers.
From The Publisher:
An instant #1 New York Times bestseller, the new novel from the author of A Man Called Ove is a "quirky, big-hearted novel….Wry, wise and often laugh-out-loud funny, it's a wholly original story that delivers pure pleasure" (People).
Looking at real estate isn't usually a life-or-death situation, but an apartment open house becomes just that when a failed bank robber bursts in and takes a group of strangers hostage. The captives include a recently retired couple who relentlessly hunt down fixer-uppers to avoid the painful truth that they can't fix their own marriage. There's a wealthy bank director who has been too busy to care about anyone else and a young couple who are about to have their first child but can't seem to agree on anything. Add to the mix an eighty-seven-year-old woman who has lived long enough not to be afraid of someone waving a gun in her face, a flustered but still-ready-to-make-a-deal real estate agent, and a mystery man who has locked himself in the apartment's only bathroom, and you've got the worst group of hostages in the world.
Each of them carries a lifetime of grievances, hurts, secrets, and passions that are ready to boil over. None of them is entirely who they appear to be. And all of them-the bank robber included-desperately crave some sort of rescue. As the authorities and the media surround the premises, these reluctant allies will reveal surprising truths about themselves and set in motion a chain of events so unexpected that even they can hardly explain what happens next.
Proving once again that Backman is "a master of writing delightful, insightful, soulful, character-driven narratives" (USA TODAY), Anxious People "captures the messy essence of being human….It's clever and affecting, as likely to make you laugh out loud as it is to make you cry" (The Washington Post). This "endlessly entertaining mood-booster" (Real Simple) is proof that the enduring power of friendship, forgiveness, and hope can save us-even in the most anxious of times.
Ratings (356)
Incredible (68) | |
Loved It (135) | |
Liked It (83) | |
It Was OK (36) | |
Did Not Like (33) | |
Hated It (1) |
Reader Stats (799):
Read It (360) | |
Currently Reading (8) | |
Want To Read (308) | |
Did Not Finish (27) | |
Not Interested (96) |
18 comment(s)
it was such a nice read!! every single page made me feel at ease, not life changing but it made me enjoy life a bit more when i read it
Holy. Cow. This is one that is in the top 10 favorite books of all time category. Hilariously and beautifully written an absolutely fantastic story.
Listened on audiobook from the library, like so good I’m going to probably buy a hard copy.
"The truth is that this was a story about many different things, but most of all about idiots. Because we're doing the best we can, we really are. We're trying to be grown-up and love each other and understand how the hell you're supposed to insert USB leads."
Similar words at the beginning and the end of this novel resonate through each and every page. This is a story which turns presumptions on their heads, gives you hope and makes you sad, while providing laughter and something deep to ponder. The writing is delicious and the plot is topsy-turvy, but ties together in the best of ways. A must read.
4.75 rounded up to a 5 star because the last 20 pages had me full on sobbing
I have no idea how fredrik backman does it, but he has absolutely perfected storytelling and capturing the human condition. this book intricately describes what it means to have empathy and compassion. it poignantly expresses such complicated and raw relationships. (yes there were moments where the characters were borderline annoying, or obnoxious but it all made up for it at the end)
favorite author of all time!!!!!! fredrik backman they could never make me hate you
i love free therapy <3
I went into this book with high expectations, since a lot of people often recommend this. There was some interesting (but rather superficial) social commentary on mental health and life in general, but I could not bear the “funny” parts of this book. Overall, I do not think there was a good balance between what was supposed to be funny and what was supposed to be serious. This started of strong but ended up being quite confusing and repetitive.
Love, love, love the audible version read by Marin Ireland. Not only is the book humorous with a little bit of suspense, but the characterization is detailed and beautiful. Ireland brings the characters to life through her voices, and knows how to paint the picture through her reading. The novel also makes a person think about life, both their own and others, and reminds us we cannot judge a person before really understanding what is going on in their life. LOVED IT!
This. Book.
Such a quiet delight. So cozy but so breathtaking at the same time.
This was a reread as I first listened to this as an audiobook when it came out in 2019. I loved it then and I love it now. Seemed to have picked it up at the perfect both times as I've been struggling and this was the perfect read to get invested in both the plot and characters. While story wise I enjoyed "A man called Ove" more but "Anxious people" have a near and dear place in my heart for the reading experience alone and the comfort it gave me in struggling times.
I sometimes read books that I’ve forgotten the details of before my book club meets again, but I remember this book, the characters, the plot, and I read it over a year ago. It was a very enjoyable read.
What can you read after
Anxious People?
About the Author:
Fredrik Backman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry, Britt-Marie Was Here, Beartown, Us Against You, and Anxious People, as well as two novellas and one work of nonfiction. His books are published in more than forty countries. He lives in Stockholm, Sweden, with his wife and two children. Connect with him on Facebook and Twitter @BackmanLand and on Instagram @Backmansk.
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