Anxious People: A Novel

"This is a story about a bank robbery, an apartment viewing and a hostage drama. But even more it's a story about idiots. But perhaps not only that." (Chapter 27) Fredrik Backman is one of the most gifted contemporary Swedish storytellers and he is widely known for his novel, A Man Called Ove, which has been adapted into a film by Hannes Holm, starring the veteran actor, Rolf Lassgård as the grumpy, borderline misanthropist, Ove. Both the book and the movie gained critical acclaim and there is also an American remake coming soon, with Tom Hanks as the protagonist. What fascinated the audiences was Ove's peculiar idiosyncrasy as well as the great outline of the secondary characters, a kind of trademark for Backman. He is an author that is oriented towards the lives of the ordinary people, their struggles, anguishes and questions that remain unanswered no matter how often they are being raised during a lifetime. In Anxious People, Backman uses the crime element as a facade to tackle several universal and amaranthine themes such as depression, suicide, what it really means to grow up, how hard it is for the average man to meet the standards that the postmodern societies set in order to distinguish the successful from the failure and many others. All the above are presented through a gripping prose that is full of hilarious dialogue and remarks made by the main characters in this odd story of a botched bank robbery that leads to an odd hostage situation where the role of perpetrator and victim often interchanges. If one reads the synopsis of the book, he will think that this is a typical crime story, full of action and suspense but this is not the case here. Backman, once again, delves into his fictional characters' deeper thoughts that are instantly discernible by the reader who himself had often had the same thoughts and concerns. Nevertheless, you should keep in mind that Anxious People is primarily a comical novel, sometimes downright hilarious, and you will laugh many times reading the exceptional description and dialogue. The story sets off when a first-time bank robber chooses to storm into a cashless bank to get the limited amount of six thousand and five hundred Swedish Kroner. Soon he realizes his mistake and when is evident that the bank has no banknotes, he attempts to escape in a nearby building. In his fury, he gets in an apartment where a viewing is held for prospective buyers. Holding a pistol in his hand and wearing a balaclava to hide his face, he looks terrifying enough in the beginning, though very quickly he proves to be a rather unstable individual with no experience as a criminal. The hostages, who are the people that happened to be inside the apartment for the viewing at that time, are a rather distinctive group of people and each one of them has some unique character traits that will be revealed as the story progresses. The police officers that are charged with the investigation of this parody of hostage-taking are Jim and Jack, father and son, who both work in the small town's precinct and are thirsty for an opportunity to show to their bosses and their colleagues in Stockholm that they can handle cases of larger magnitude like this one. Jack and Jim have a rather dysfunctional relationship and their communication is often terminated due to a wrong choice of words, or an inappropriate remark made by one of them. Their blood relation doesn't help them much in their professional lives and besides, they are completely different as characters. Backman uses a mixed narrative style that begins chronologically from the end of the hostage situation and in the following chapters talks about the events and interactions that took place inside the apartment after the failed robbery attempt. Furthermore, he interposes witness statements taken from the hostages by Jack and Jim. The small chapters add to an already fast tempo, that makes reading smoother and highly engaging. What is most remarkable about this book is the vast number of insights on the human condition that are scattered throughout the text and I couldn't stop making notes on my Kindle from the beginning till the very end. This was my first reading experience with this author, I've already seen A Man Called Ove in the cinema, and I'm literally thrilled by his craftmanship as far as both characterization and dialogue are concerned. Backman's writing style is refreshing and stimulating and I cannot think of another writer that comes even close to his ingenious prose. Another novel of his, Beartown, has been adapted into the television and I will immediately check it out. If you aren't familiar with his body of work, Anxious People would be an ideal start.

This book is not what I would normally choose to read. It was a book club pick, and I admit to not being thrilled with the prospect of reading it. However, beyond the discussion and getting to know other readers through the shared experience of reading a book, the whole point of book club is to stretch into genres and authors you wouldn't otherwise try. On the whole, I'm very glad that I had the chance to read this book. Anxious People has delightful characters and a creative plot that is pieced together like a puzzle. Much like finding all of a puzzle's edge pieces first to determine it's layout, you have to be willing to stick with the story long enough to get a feel for the shape of it. The story, though funny, is rather far-fetched and the characters seem combative with each other at the start. However, Backman, who frequently breaks the fourth wall to address the reader and relate the story to them, makes it clear that the story is meant to be unbelievable and successfully manages to convince the reader to "go with it." With that, it's easier to suspend disbelief and, instead, focus on how the characters connect (or don't connect) as Backman weaves backward and forward in the story timeline. The end result is an immensely satisfying conclusion in which all of the pieces finally form a whole. There is nothing wrong whatsoever with this book, though I doubt that I would read it again mostly because it's not my usual go-to genre. It might put off a less committed reader (if they were not honor bound by book club to finish it). The structure of the plot jumping back and forth is integral to this story, but I can see how it might not be enjoyable for readers who enjoy a linear timeline. However, my interest is now peaked regarding Backman's other books, and I have already arranged for a watch party with my book club of the 2015 Academy Award nominated film made from his first book, A Man Called Ove. Favorite Excerpt: “The truth of course is that if people really were as happy as they look on the Internet, they wouldn't spend so much damn time on the Internet, because no one who's having a really good day spends half of it taking pictures of themselves. Anyone can nurture a myth about their life if they have enough manure, so if the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, that's probably because it's full of shit. Not that that really makes much difference, because now we've learned that every day needs to be special. Every day.” Since it's not a book I'd likely keep on my shelf, I cannot give it my highest rating. Nonetheless, I would definitely recommend Anxious People to readers who love a sentimental story with clever characters and plot organization, and I would likely also suggest it as a "palate cleanser" for readers who need an uplifting shift out of their genre ruts. The message of this story is sweet and valuable for any reader willing to give it a go. Backman perfectly balances the ridiculousness of the story with just the right amount and timing of humor.

We readers are always searching for new authors to follow and can sometimes find them in unexpected places. For instance I learned of Fredrik Backman from Lucy Score! Seriously. I read all her books and get her weekly newsletter. In a recent mailing she mentioned going to a book signing for Mr. Backman's newest book being a fan from the time of reading this book, ANXIOUS PEOPLE. I looked up this book right away and bought it immediately. Once downloaded I pulled out the Kindle and started reading. I read the book in one day though it was after midnight when I finished but still the same day if never in bed to sleep, right? Regarding some reader's reactions to Mr. Bachman's approach to story telling, I became an avid reader back in the day when most stories were linear--one action followed the next action and so on. I suspect that preferring linear is why some readers find this newer approach to writing narratives confusing or at least not to their liking. However, others find newer approaches to story telling refreshing and intriguing. I my opinion it is impressive when authors can present a story from different angles and/or perspectives and then tie up any loose ends. Not only that but this book was humorous and in my opinion on target regarding human nature. While reading, I laughed a lot. Then stopped reading and thought a lot! The story was that captivating. A very unusual presentation, ironic and amusing. The prospective home buyers who were taken hostage by the bank robber at the open house each have their own stories and those stories develop gradually. Each story is original and interesting. Eventually those stories flow into one nice heartfelt conclusion. During the investigation it was a clever tactic to have the hostages pretend ignorance of the bank robbers whereabouts by deliberately dumbing down their police interviews. This dumbing down saved them from out-and-out lying. Others have summarized the story so I will end with an assurance that this book is full of heart and observations about the reasons people make decisions, then how they subsequently act/react and whether any lessons were learned. A 5 star plus read . . . and I am now on to the next Backman book!!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Stars (Outstanding) Setting: A small Swedish town, primarily inside an apartment building Genre: Contemporary Fiction; Literary Fiction; Humorous Fiction Anxious People by Fredrik Backman is one of those rare books that somehow manages to be laugh-out-loud funny, heartbreakingly tender, and quietly profound—all at the same time. I didn’t just read this novel; I felt it. Every quirky character, every awkward interaction, and every unexpected twist reminded me that we’re all just doing our best, even when we’re falling apart a little. What starts as a bizarre hostage situation at an apartment showing quickly unravels into something much richer: a story about regret, hope, connection, and the impossibility of fully knowing what anyone else is going through. Backman introduces a chaotic mix of characters—a retired couple clinging to renovation projects and denial, a pregnant couple who can’t agree on a future, a lonely banker, an 87-year-old rebel, and even a bathroom-dwelling mystery man—and somehow makes you care deeply about each of them. Backman has this uncanny ability to write in a way that’s both sharp and compassionate. The way he pokes fun at life’s absurdities while gently peeling back the layers of his characters made me laugh and cry within the span of a few pages. And while the plot takes plenty of unexpected turns, what stuck with me most were the quiet, powerful moments of understanding between complete strangers. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, misunderstood, or just a little broken (in other words, if you’re human), Anxious People will meet you right where you are—and leave you a little more hopeful than it found you. This book reminded me that even in our most anxious, tangled moments, connection is still possible. Absolutely loved it. #anxiouspeople #booked_this_weekend

Frederik Backman is so well known and I have enjoyed some of his previous work, so I was ready when my book club selected Anxious People for our February book. Full disclosure, the first time I started to read this, I only made it about 60 pages in before I had to put it down. I was not sure I was going to be able to read it. Fortunately, I did decide to give it another go and flipped to the audio version and tried again. The book has a lot of characters and as you learn about them you really learn to love them. I quite enjoyed Zara and her story. I also felt there was a lot of emotion around each character and their back story and I feel like that was definitely the point of the story. There was humor mixed in and that lightened some of the heavier moments. My biggest issue with this book had nothing to do with the story itself. It was more the way the story was told. The way this story jumped around reminded me of ADHD unmedicated. The thoughts jumped around so much, especially in the beginning, that it made me really confused and anxious. That is the reason I had to put down the book the first time. That vibe continued on throughout the book with the story jumping around constantly. It was not only jumping from before the hostage situation to after the hostage situation, but also between characters currently and their backstories. It was just a bit much and at times, very hard to keep up with. With that, I originally was going to give this book a two, but the story itself and the feelings I felt reading it brought it up to a three. I will definitely read more from Backman because he’s written so many really great books and I am sure I will love the next one.

This book frustrated and confused me on many levels at the beginning. I pushed through and found the last half very satisfying. So don’t give up. Good things are coming.

5⭐️ I love Backman’s writing style. It’s easy to read yet full of meaning. It’s witty and funny and emotional. The author is amazing at creating deeply developed characters using so few words, and this book is no exception. The perception of the human experience is thought-provoking and emotionally driven through the writing and was overall a really enjoyable read for me! I thought the story was unique and had a few twists and turns in the story that I wasn’t expecting. It was nice that the story was literary fiction with a hint of mystery. While I can typically predict the ending of a thriller with plot twists, I didn’t see the ending coming of this book which was very unexpected and SO appreciated on my end! Overall I liked the story and if I was rating on vibes alone I would probably give it a 4, which for me is still a positive rating and a “yes” recommendation. It wasn’t my absolute favorite book but I did still very much enjoy it. I do rate on the writing though and only consider vibes a little bit, and I can’t find any fault in the writing so it is a 5 for me! Ultimately, if I were an editor of this book, there isn’t a thing I would recommend to be changed in the writing or story/character development, so it obviously has to be 5-stars! THE CHARACTERS Backman excels with his understanding of human nature and unique character development. Each character, from the hostages and the bank robber, to the police officers, to Nadia the psychologist, all had different backstories and personalities that contributed to their actions and the readers understanding of the story. It’s shocking that over ten uniquely different characters were so well developed (and all of which had some form of personal growth too) in only 336 pages, while an entire plot was also taking place. The reader is able to relate to every single one of the characters in some way, and I think that’s one of the best parts of this book. Each character’s quips and takes on humanity, anxiety, grief, and sacrifices we make for our loved ones makes the reader feel connected to these characters. Backman truly makes the reader feel seen through his character development. THEMES The bridge being both a physical and symbolic theme in the book was really smart of the author. As it was a place of trauma for some but a way for others to forge connections with others, the reader was able to see that the story did end up being a bridge bringing people together. Some of the authors takes on anxiety and grief were also very deeply woven into the narrative and character development, which I thought was very meaningful and again, made the reader feel deeply connected to the people in the story. These themes are experienced by everyone throughout life, and the way they are included in the book makes them approachable while they feel accurately depicted as well. QUOTES: “This book is dedicated to the voices in my head, the most remarkable of my friends. And to my wife, who lives with us.” “This story is about a lot of things, but mostly about idiots. So it needs saying from the outset that it's always very easy to declare that other people are idiots, but only if you forget how idiotically difficult being human is. Especially if you have other people you're trying to be a reasonably good human being for.” “Deep down, in memories that we might prefer to suppress even from ourselves, a lot of us know that the difference between us and that man on the bridge is smaller than we might wish. Most adults have had a number of really bad moments, and of course not even fairly happy people manage to be happy the whole darn time. So you would have tried to save him. Because it's possible to end your life by mistake, but you have to choose to jump. You have to climb on top of somewhere high and take a step forward. You're a decent person. You wouldn't have just watched.” “The truth? The truth is that the bank robber was an adult. There's nothing more revealing about a bank robber's personality than that. Because the terrible thing about becoming an adult is being forced to realize that absolutely nobody cares about us, we have to deal with everything ourselves now, find out how the whole world works. Work and pay bills, use dental floss and get to meetings on time, stand in line and fill out forms, come to grips with cables and put furniture together, change tires on the car and charge the phone and switch the coffee machine off and not forget to sign the kids up for swimming lessons. We open our eyes in the morning and life is just waiting to tip a fresh avalanche of "Don't Forget!"s and "Remember!"s over us. We don't have time to think or breathe, we just wake up and start digging through the heap, because there will be another one dumped on us tomorrow. We look around occasion-ally, at our place of work or at parents' meetings of out in the street, and realize with horror that everyone else seems to know exactly what they're doing. We're the only ones who have to pretend. Everyone else can afford stuff and has a handle on other stuff and enough energy to deal with even more stuff. And everyone else's children can swim. But we weren't ready to become adults. Someone should have stopped us.” “The truth of course is that if people really were as happy as they look on the Internet, they wouldn't spend so much damn time on the Internet, because no one who's having a really good day spends half of it taking pictures of themselves. Anyone can nurture a myth about their life if they have enough manure, so if the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, that's probably because it's full of shit.” "I didn't say that money was happiness. I said happiness is like money. A made-up value that represents something we can't weigh or measure." “The whole thing is a complicated, unlikely story. Perhaps that's because what we think stories are about often isn't what they're about at all. This, for instance, might not actually be the story of a bank robbery, or an apartment viewing, or a hostage drama. Perhaps it isn't even a story about idiots. Perhaps this is a story about a bridge.” “They say that a person's personality is the sum of their experiences. But that isn't true, at least not entirely, because if our past was all that defined us, we'd never be able to put up with ourselves. We need to be allowed to convince ourselves that we're more than the mistakes we made yesterday. That we are all of our next choices, too, all of our tomorrows.” “But maybe you've had the occasional really bad idea, too. Maybe you deserved a second chance. Maybe you're not alone in that.” QUOTES: THE CHARACTERS “Just before the bank robber came in she had been busy refreshing her browser to find out if two famous actors were going to get divorced or not. She hoped they were, because sometimes it's easier to live with your own anxieties if you know that no one else is happy, either.” "Do you know what, Zara? One of the most human things about anxiety is that we try to cure chaos with chaos. Someone who has got themselves into a catastrophic situation rarely retreats from it, we're far more inclined to carry on even faster. We've created lives where we can watch other people crash into the wall but still hope that somehow we're going to pass straight through it. The closer we get, the more confidently we believe that some unlikely solution is miraculously going to save us, while everyone watching us is just waiting for the crash." “Do you know how many men like you every single woman on the planet meets every day, who think that every thought that pops into your tiny little male brains is a lovely present you can give us?"

Anxious People is a fantastic novel about, well… anxious people. The irony of that description is something you can only truly appreciate once you’ve read the book. I’m not usually someone who gravitates toward novels like this, but my wise cousin insisted I give it a try—and I’m glad I called her wise, because she was absolutely right. To be honest, I wasn’t sure how to even start writing a review for a book like this. But here goes. Anxious People follows a group of eight strangers caught in a hostage situation—a situation that happens because a failed bank robber, well… fails at robbing a bank and ends up committing another crime in a moment of desperation. (The irony of failing at one crime and diving into another? Wild.) But this isn’t your typical hostage drama. Fredrik Backman takes this odd situation and turns it into a story about connection, loneliness, empathy, and ultimately, hope. Each of these eight strangers comes from a different background, carrying their own baggage—stories filled with loss, secrets, regret, and longing. And yet, they all share something deeply human: the desire not to be alone. As the story unfolds through police interviews and flashbacks, it becomes clear that this is less about solving a crime and more about understanding people. The hostages, who seem like a mismatched group at first, slowly become something closer to a family. They aren’t just passive characters stuck in a room—they become reluctant allies, not only to the would-be bank robber but to each other. This book made me laugh out loud and tear up more than once. It’s a story about forgiveness, about being seen, about kindness in unexpected places, and above all, about being human. Backman reminds us that even in the most absurd, awkward, or painful moments, there’s beauty in connection. An apartment viewing. A failed bank robber. Eight of the worst hostages to ever be taken hostage. Somehow, this chaotic group gives you one of the most heartwarming stories you’ll ever read.