Fantastic work of satire. This book made me laugh, but was also very poignant. Backman did a stellar job of interweaving the various characters. Highly recommend!

Discussed in more depth on episode 110 of the Book Cougars podcast.
https://www.bookcougars.com/blog-1/2020/episode110

Don’t throw the book at me! I am fully aware that I’m in the minority with my feelings about this book. I couldn’t get into it. I don’t know if it was Backman’s writing style or the character-driven read, but it felt disjointed. Forgive me, it’s my first of his books, but I don’t think I’ll be reading another.

The book begins with a bank robbery that never took place, then progresses to a hostage situation that never really happened. Huh? Exactly. The first thing you’ll notice is what a unique world of quirky misfits Backman has created. We’re all represented. All of us. We just don’t like to look in the mirror. We think things that Backman’s characters have the audacity to say aloud. As these people are interviewed back at the police station, I honestly wanted to pull my hair out. It truly was “a book about idiots”. I kept reading because I couldn’t believe that people would act like that in a police station. Well, also because I couldn’t believe that so many Bookstagrammers and Goodreads reviewers thoughts could be contrary to mine. I started to beat myself up and then realized that it’s a beautiful thing that we are all so different and I can press delete on my Kindle and carry on! Maybe I’m the quirky one. Maybe everyone else is normal! I’ve considered that. Briefly.

Backman successfully pulls all the storylines together by the end of the novel and readers can see the influencing extent of these quirky characters’ experience. I definitely had a lightbulb moment when I could see the underside of the weaving and see how each thread came together to create a beautiful image on the reverse. I know that’s a sign of a gifted writer. He also definitely knows the human psyche and puts this raw human nature into his carefully crafted characters. Furthermore, Backman deftly revealed that as the characters spent more time together and opened up to each other to uncover long-buried truths, they realized that they were more alike than different. I was aware of his development of human connection, I could see it in the father and son who just couldn’t seem to bridge the distance between them, I could see it in the old couple and their love for each other and also in the pregnant lady who could have easily carried through with her evil desires. I knew he was trying to get his readers to realize the importance of human friendships, the rarity of true connection and our common needs. I guess I just didn’t like the slap-stick comedy banter. Oh, well.

Thank you to Atria Books via Netgalley for providing me a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I feel Fredrik Backman is a rare kind of storyteller.

Anxious People is a story about many things. A bank robbery. Stupid decisions. All the things humans do for love. Our empathy. Our need for connection. And our ingrained ability to come together and help others in need.

I actually read the book twice. Book and audiobook. And I feel, only by reading it the second time did I really appreciate the complexity of it all.

There are so many characters in Anxious People. And so many stories. The back and forth, the jumping from one character to another, it all made sense in the end. And that, is the strangest part of all.

How much sense it all made.

Days later, I’m still thinking about this book. The way it was written. The originality of it all.

And although I didn’t LOVE the novel immediately after finishing, the more I thought about it the more I adored it. Because, the book is something truly special. Different. Thoughtful in an unexpected way.

Honestly, I wasn’t sure about the book when I started it. But now, after finishing it, I get it. In a very interesting way the author captured the human spirit in its rawest. Our flaws. And the many stupid decisions we make. And how it often comes full circle.

It’s a powerful book in a quirky and understated way.

With a cast that is as endearing as it is relatable.

In the end, Anxious People is a story that really showcases what story telling is all about.

Around the middle of Anxious People, by Fredrik Backman, someone asked what I was reading and if I was enjoying it. And, honestly, I wasn't quite sure what to say. So, I said the only thing I knew to be true at that point, "If you've enjoyed Backman's other books, especially his quirky characters, you'll like this one." I started reading the book at night, in small snippets, and things just were not making sense to me. The details were coming in bits and pieces, that sometimes left me wondering what they would have to do with the story line. Plus, there were quite a few characters to keep straight, each with quirky personality traits. However, I am so glad I kept pushing on. (My recommendation is to give yourself longer segments of read time for this story.) So keep, going Reader. Backman will not disappoint.
By the end of the book, you understand the quirkiness of the characters, the bridge that tied them together years before meeting, and the storyline that keeps rewriting itself more clearly. You find that those characters you would initially judge, are people with heavy "baggage" not always visible to the eye. You find that things are not always black and white, but gray, in this messy thing called life. And you end up rooting for the "bank robber." When I finished the last page, I literally turned back to the beginning and reread the first few chapters to see what clues I had missed at the beginning. Thank you Netgalley and Atria books for gifting me this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley, Atria Books and Fredrick Backman for free e-ARC in return of my honest review.

Fredrick Backman is one of my favourite male authors, and seeing his new book available on Netgalley I immediately requested it and was very grateful to be approved.

Anxious People is a novel about a crime that never took place, about mistakes people do consciously and unconsciously, it is about strangers who became a family after being part of a hostage drama which turned out not be a drama at all, more like satire of our everyday life. Anxious People is about decisions people do every day, it is about being a parent of new generation and about fears that surround parenthood and livelihood. Anxious People is about suicide, loss and humanity of people.

It was not easy to read due to several mental health topics. On the other hand, I do think that Backman did brilliant job in terms of showing how important it is to talk and to listen about mental health. He approached with all seriousness and, at the same time, without oppression.

Anxious People is probably one of the books that has the most beautiful character development I have ever read. Every one of the characters has their story told interchangeably. Backman only shows a glimpses of any give storyline, never fully connecting the dots until the very end. It kept me intrigued. At the end, he manages to bring everything together and wrap it up nicely.

The narration style is quite unique and it took me a while to adjust. I cannot say I am a fan of it, by the end I grew tired of this way of narration. Nevertheless, I would be adding this book to my own library.

Overall, I did enjoy Anxious People and would suggest anyone to read unless the reader is uncomfortable with above mentioned mental health issues.

My favourite thing in the world is when I start reading a book expecting one thing and come out the end with a very different, much better thing - this book was that exactly! This book isn't really about a bank robbery or a hostage situation, its about people and the surprising ways we're connected to each other. It's about living through hardship, and then coming out the other side, maybe not the way you expected but the way you need to be. I loved that I could never quite predict how the story of the hostage scenario was going to play out and I was so delighted with each new reveal that led to the conclusion because each time the narrative of the story was switched, it really was a wonderful 'aha' moment for me as the reader. And seeing everything finally connect and come together at the end left me with the most satisfied feeling which is exactly what you want when you've just been taken on this journey of twists and turns. I've got a lighter heart after reading this and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs a little loveliness in their lives.

Set in Sweden, Anxious People by Fredrik Backman is a crazy, mixed up tale of a person under great duress who is pushed to the limit by domestic circumstances. When all else fails, the parent of two decides the only way out of personal problems is to rob a bank for enough money to cover a month’s rent.

However, while a robbery never happens, the perpetrator stumbles into an apartment open house taking those in attendance into hostage. After they are released by the criminal, eight kooky hostages bewilder the police who are trying to take an investigative report and solve the crime. The mystery starts when the police cannot find any trace of the gun-slinging would-be robber/hostage taker in the apartment after the hostages are freed.

Nothing is as it seems in this story, and several big switches take place before the denouement after which seems to be several endings to the story.

The story is supposed to be witty and entertaining, but it did not appeal to my sense of humor.

Fredrik Backman came to fame with his book A Man Called Ove, which is becoming a movie with Tom Hanks as Ove. Backman and his family live in Sweden.

My review will be posted on Goodreads starting September 23, 2020.

I would like to thank Atria Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.

I was very excited to read Backman's newest book, which is already on a lot of the "Fall Must Read Lists" I've been seeing. The story is about a bank robbery which turns into a hostage situation. Things aren't always as they seem and Backman is a master a tying his characters together in quirky ways. Each character is developed slowly and purposefully, and everything comes together in the end. It's hard to talk about the story without giving too much of it away and my feelings about it are conflicted. I love Backman's quotes, he really does have a way with words as far as life in general. The first half was just a 2 star read and it slowly turned into 2.5 stars as the story went on. I had a little bit of a hard time getting over certain things. In the beginning I had a difficult time keeping all the characters straight. I know it was supposed to make them endearing, but I didn't like how the police officers were portrayed and how they handled the whole robbery/hostage situation. It was too unbelievable for me to think was cute or funny.

I know a lot of people are loving this book and can't put it down. I didn't feel that way, but it was still ok for me

A bank robbery that never becomes a bank robbery. A hostage situation that might not be a hostage situation. Yet, there is intent, a mask, and a gun involved.

Eight stranger's anxieties that are all in one apartment viewing when a masked individual walks in, a suicide, a psychologist, and two cops trying to get to the bottom of it all, becomes the perfect mixture for a good novel.

Surprisingly funny and sad with moments of revelation is what Anxious People delivers to this reader. I became engrossed in the life of these people. How fate has put them all together in one place to bring out all of their issues into the open.

Anxiuos People has a true message. A good person can make a bad decision. Should the bad decision define us? Should we get a second chance? We have all been "idiots" at one point. Right?

I encourage people to read this book. It is not the usual prose I'm used to but it works nonetheless.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Atria Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Fredrik Backman book and I can 100% see why he is such a beloved author by many. I’ve seen so many of my fellow book lovers rave about his books but I never picked one up because they didn’t sound like something I would be interested in. When I read the synopsis for his latest book Anxious People, I thought I’d give it a try and I am so glad I did.

Anxious People on the surface is a funny tale about “idiots”, as Backman puts it, but there is so much more to uncover below the surface. The underlying message really hit home for me as an anxious person. I suffer from generalized anxiety disorder and I worry about everything. This story puts into perspective that we all are fighting our own battles. We all have problems, pains, and struggles. Regardless of who you are or where you come from. While the problems may be different, we are connected in that we all have hardships. I loved the characters in this story too especially Estelle. She was the sweetest old woman and how her story comes together in the end really touched me.

If you’ve never read anything by Backman, I highly recommend picking up Anxious People! It was definitely the kind of read I needed right now. If you enjoy dry humor and sarcasm, this will be right up your alley. While humorous, it really drives home the idea that no one is alone in their pain or struggles. We’re all connected in some way, shape, or form and we impact others in ways we may never know.

4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Anxious People is Frederick Backman’s anxiously awaited new book. Anxious People is a story about idiots, or maybe a bridge, or maybe a bank robbery. It also could be a laugh out loud one page and shedding tears the next look at life, relationships, desperation and secrets. Whatever it is, this is hands down the best book of 2020! The writing style is just perfect, the character development is so rich and the way everything interwove so perfectly together makes it a must read for everyone!

This is a witty novel for taking mind off the bleakness of politics and Covid-19. It's more of where is the thief than a Whodunit type novel told through a series of interviews with the hostages. There were times the novel felt a bit repetitious, but overall, it moves along with a sharp humor.

"We save those we can."

I read this book over a month ago, when I was (still am, really) in a bit of a reading drought. Throughout covid I just haven't been able to properly sit and read, which is so strange for me, reading has always been my favourite escape. I was glad that I didn't seem to have that problem after starting this one.

This book was technically about a failed bank robbery and a hostage taking, but, like most of Backman's books, it was really just about people. I don't really remember enough of the story to give a proper synopsis, I just know that I loved the characters and their development.

I didn't love Anxious People like I loved Beartown, but I am giving it all of the stars because it got me reading, and KEPT me reading.

I decided to give this book a try because of Fredrik Backman's popular book "A Man Called Ove." This book wasn't what I expected it to be, which I LOVED. The way that Backman's characters all were connected made this book that much better. He is truly an amazing author, and I can't wait for future books written by him.

I have read several of Fredrik Backman's books and have always enjoyed the characters, and I mean characters. I loved these people. Amazing all the positive feelings I had while reading a book that begins with suicide, but human nature, the good kind prevailed.

A bank robber, who is not much of a bank robber ran out of the bank with no money and into an apartment building. The bank robber, still in stocking cap, takes a group of prospective buyers in an apartment hostage. Over the course of the day, the hostages and the bank robber all get to know each other; the older couple who flip apartments, the young lesbian couple who are pregnant, the realtor, the much older woman, and a surprise occupant of the apartment. They are all so human with the faults and all. Backman does a stupendous job of showing us their humanity and the interconnectness of their lives and of course, our own.

I can't say enough positive things about this book. Highly recommend if you enjoy character driven novels.

It’s no secret I count Backman as one of my favorite authors and have (almost) read everything he has written. I think his writing style is so quirky and personable. You know exactly what his characters look like, act like, and think like. But with a preciseness that you don’t find in every author. Backman doesn’t need more than a few sentences to tell you about his characters. It is rare to find an author like that.

ANXIOUS PEOPLE is about a man who completed suicide 10 years ago and how the characters from the story are all intertwined by that one event. It is a timely book because he published Anxious People during Suicide Prevention Week. Backman is able to humanize these characters in a way that feels personal to the reader. He discusses anxiety and depression and what that looks like for these characters. This especially felt personal to me because I have had my own bouts with depression and still struggle to manage my daily anxiety.

For people going in blindly, or might have only read his Beartown book, be aware that his humor is not for everyone. He uses humor and blunt delivery when talking about serious things. I think it helps might light of the challenges we face and in turn, helps the reader feel like they’re making friends with his characters because they seem like everyday people.

Beartown is not the same vibe as Anxious People, so if you are going into Anxious People with only Beartown under your belt, I would suggest reading A Man Called Ove or Britt-Marie is Here before starting Anxious People. Both those books have a quirkiness that will be helpful when starting Anxious People.

‘We’re just strangers passing each other, your anxieties briefly brushing against mine as the fibers of our coats touch momentarily on a crowded sidewalk somewhere. We never really know what we do to each other, with each other, for each other.’ ✨ ⠀
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⭐️ Rating ⠀
5/5 ⠀
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👱🏼‍♀️🧔🏻👩🏻👱🏽‍♂️⠀
Meet The Characters⠀
- Jim & Jack, two policemen ⠀
- A group of people from all walks of life being held hostage ⠀
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The Story 📖 ⠀
This is definitely a story about many things (a bank robbery, an apartment viewing & a hostage situation), but as @backmansk himself says ‘but most of all about idiots.’ If I had to use my own words, I would say this story is about us human beings & what it means to be human. ⠀
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❤️ I loved…⠀
Honestly, everything about this book;⠀
Backman’s writing style, the characters & their development, as well as the message of the book, which literally had me laughing out loud one minute & then crying tears the next.⠀
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Would I recommend this book? ⠀
Oh yes and with every inch of my heart ❤️ ⠀
This book has touched me like no other in quite a while and I think it touches on so many current aspects of our society. There are so many parts of the story, the characters & what they are going through, that I can relate to and I believe that many many other people will relate to as well.⠀
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Thank you so much to @bradeighgodfrey and @atriabooks for the #arc which we read together with the #BLCVipBookClub
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Anxious People will be published on September 8th & is definitely one of my favorite books of 2020! ⠀

P.S. This was my first Backman read & I can’t wait to read many more by him.

Backman is masterful at both storytelling and character development. At the beginning of the book I was annoyed by every single character, but by the end I was rooting for all of them. The way he told the story kept me guessing as to how it would unfold. It's one of the best books I've read this year.

Thanks to NetGalley and Fredrik Backman for providing me with this ARC. The story involves a bank robbery (at a cashless bank) and the accidental hostage situation that ensues. A group of people viewing a recently listed apartment are suddenly confronted with a gun wielding, mask wearing intruder. We get to know the personalities as well as a few surprise characters. Along side this is a concurrent story of the two investigating police officers who happen to be father and son. The author does a great idea of describing all the personalities in the story. I’d love to see this as a stage play.

Another wonderful book by my favorite author. I don’t want to give anything away in my review so I will be brief. A failed bank robbery and an apartment open house turns into a hostage situation. We learn about all the people involved and grow to care about each one. Fredrick Backman’s writing style is unique. He is able to use wit and humor while also exploring very serious issues with incredible insight.