I picked up Fredrik Backman's latest novel, Anxious People, without a clue of what I might find inside. But having enjoyed all of his previous books, I just knew I would love this one too.

"A bank robbery. A hostage drama." That's the opening line. And from there we 'meet' the robber, the hostages and the two policemen tasked with the case.

Anxious People is told by an unnamed, prescient narrator who observes the goings on and the players with an eye for the human condition. There are so many truths on each and every page of Anxious People. Situations, circumstances, hopes, fears and so much more - including anxiety. "Because there's such an unbelievable amount that we're all supposed to be able to cope with these days." (Uh huh, kind of right on the money in these uncertain times)

There's at least one, if not more, observation that every reader will personally connect with - truths, wisdom and introspection. But....I don't want you to get the idea that is a strictly serious book. It is, but it isn't. I found myself laughing out loud so many times. Some of the police interviews read like a 'who's on first' skit. And each of the players is, well, quite the character. Every one of them is quirky, unique and so well drawn. I had my favorites. But, as more and more of their stories is revealed, I found my perceptions and opinions changing with each new chapter.

And....there's the crime to solve as well. It's not as straightforward as you might have assumed. Backman is a clever, clever wordsmith. I had my suppositions (happily) changed many times as the book progressed. And slowly but surely, the ties and tendrils of fate start knitting together the lives of the characters. A lovely serendipitous circle.

"But when you get home this evening, when this day is over and the night takes us, allow yourself a deep breath. Because we made it through this day as well. There'll be another one along tomorrow."

Such a fantastic read on so many levels. Absolutely recommended.

I am relatively new to Fredrik Backman. I have read Bear Town and Us Against You and loved both. When Simon and Schuster Canada sent me this book to read via Netgalley I was very excited! This one lived up to the hype for me and all I can say is that Backman is a genius.

There are some trigger warnings for this book including depression, suicide, anxiety and hostage situations. This book gets a powerful five stars from me. I'm honestly having trouble putting my thoughts in to words. I absolutely love Backman's writing style. The way he weaves his story together from beginning to end is just seamless. His character development is spot on. There were a number of characters in this story and I loved them all for their own unique personalities. I love the way their stories connected.

While this book is about a bank robbery gone wrong, it is about so much more than that. It's a story about people - eight anxious strangers who, when stuck in a hostage situation, find out they all have more in common then they ever thought. It's also about people everywhere. We never truly know what someone is going through. Sometimes, we all need someone and we all need to be kind. There are supports out there if you, or someone you know, is struggling.

Backman knows how to tug at heart strings and this book gave me all the feels! I love the way he writes a story and this is one of my favourite recent reads and will probably be one of my favourite books of the year! If you havn't read it yet, I highly recommend checking it out!

I was very worried when I read the synopsis. Writing about a hostage situation seemed so out of the blue for Backman but I should have trusted him. He’s one of the few authors which can surprise you at every turn. The style of writing we love from Bachman flows through every word in this novel. He bring such joy and light heartedness to any story, adding that classic Bachman flair.

Thought this book is about a robbery gone wrong, which ending up as a hostage situation at a open house the day before New Years, the story is really much more the characters which are involved in this story. The author brilliantly explores each character and peals back the layers to slowly revealing his true intentions with it. Some of Backman’s prose made me so emotional that I couldn’t help but cry. The way he describes common feelings we have all felt, sadness, anxiety and loneliness is something very few can do. He’s able to describe such complex and weighted feelings into such perfect words. This is why for me this is a five star read.

I recommend everyone read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me a free copy. All my opinions are my own.

Fredrik Backman is on my "I'll-read-absolutely-anything-this-author-writes" list.. He creates characters with such tenderness and honesty. that they cause me to both laugh out loud and crack my heart wide open. In his latest novel, we meet an apartment full of very different characters who find themselves in the most unusual predicament of being held hostage by a bumbling bank robber during an open house. As the events unfold we learn some of the secrets each character has been carrying. On the surface this is a fun, fast-paced mystery that is wildly entertaining. At its heart, this is a novel about being human and human connection.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a review copy (via Netgalley).

This is a hard book to describe because it’s a lot of things. There are a lot of characters, a moving timeline, multiple events where characters unknowingly come together and a mystery the cops are trying to solve at the same time you as a reader are trying to solve it.

I know, it sounds terribly confusing, but somehow it isn’t. It’s a wonderful and intricately written story with an ending that comes full circle and left me feeling very satisfying.

This is a book I won’t soon forget.

Thank you to Net Galley and Simon and Schuster Canada for the ARC

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove, BearTown and Us Against You and poetic writer is back with one of this falls most poignant and anticipated books - Anxious People. Featuring a cast of eight anxiety ridden strangers who find themselves in an almost robbery following a crime that was not and where the criminal disappears without a trace. The what and how’s unfold in an unlikely story where they learn that sometimes those you have the most in common with are strangers.

Backman’s use of analogies underscores every day musings bringing both a refreshing perspective and relatability. Dialogue between and within each character is rich yet simple and compliments Backman’s keen ability to exact the quirkiness of human behaviour. Thus, Backman skilful crafts protagonists who are both unlikable and likeable in a story that we would presume could not happen to us in yet is entirely plausible given the right set of circumstances.

Backman tackles heady topics such as suicide, loneliness, helplessness, mental health and the struggle to curate a unique and authentic identity whether it be as a coupled or single parent; a professional or retiree; husband, wife and same sex partner. Poignant, poetic and raw. Anxious People is one of this falls most captivating and beautiful constructed reads that will break your heart and scatter the pieces before reshaping it with the ties of hope, forgiveness and connectedness. The very tenants necessary for human survival, especially in our most anxious times.

My deepest thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

Fredrik Backman is one of my favourite authors so I was thrilled when NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada sent me an e-arc of Backman's most recent book, Anxious People.

After reading Beartown and Us Against You which I loved, it was nice to return to Backman’s funny stories and quirky characters. Like in A Man Called Ove, somehow he is able to have serious topics like suicide alongside humour.

Anxious People is about a bank robbery (sort of) that goes very wrong. Instead, it becomes a hostage situation (sort of) in an apartment building. The apartment is open for viewing and the people that have come to see the apartment become hostages (sort of).

The police involved have somehow lost the robber and are trying to understand exactly what happened. The narration goes between the police interviews after the situation and what happened in the apartment during the viewing and hostage situation.

The writing is impeccably, Backman. There’s a feel of a stream of consciousness to the narrative and the dialogue is superb, and often laugh out loud hilarious. The characters are quirky; some of them are a bit annoying, but in a good way. They are developed well and I like how the reader learns a little bit about them over time and how some of them are connected.

This is one of my favourites of Backman’s books so if you get a chance to read it I definitely recommend it.

Bookworm Rating: 🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛

Fantastic storytelling! I was fully absorbed and captivated from start to finish. I haven’t read a book this good in a little while. All the stars and then more!

Some books fill you with emotion, some captivate you with top-notch writing, and some take you places that you never thought you needed to go. Anxious People did all three.

Anxious People is a unique novel. It has humor, suspense, and a great deal of heart. Backman tells an intriguing story filled with characters that are as original as the novel that they are in. What is the story about? It’s about people. Anxious people. Readers may find a character, relationship, or situation that they can relate to, but if they can’t, surely, they can recognize someone that they know in one or a few of them. It’s a character-driven novel that tells an unusual tale of a hostage situation and in the process weaves a masterful exploration of the human condition.

Between the originality, the writing, the author’s ability to truly tap into the characters’ emotions, and the humor that was interspersed throughout, this book was an absolute pleasure to read. At times, the author is addressing his readers in the story, but then he seamlessly transitions back to the story at hand. I absolutely adored the writing style in this book. It felt personal, raw, and intimate. I felt as though I were a voyeur, catching glimpses of their lives in small vignettes.

When a book has you laughing out loud, reading passages to your spouse because, well, you just need to share it with him, and has your eyes welling up with tears, you know that it’s a winner. I was basically a kaleidoscope of emotions throughout the book’s entirety.

Anxious People is a thought-provoking novel that takes the reader on an emotional journey into the lives of the characters. Fredrik Backman dazzled me with his storytelling and the way that he was able to tie the story together with a heartfelt, beautiful tightly wrapped bow. This is a novel that I will be recommending to all of my friends and family.

*5 Stars

Anxious People has a lot going on under the surface---just like people do! We all make assumptions based on appearances, but there is always more to a person than what meets the eye. We all have things that we keep hidden, and we all feel alone sometimes. This book explored all of these things and packed quite the emotional punch.

It was also a book about relationships between people, and it explored the idea that you can have a lasting impact on someone’s life without even realizing it. Reading this required a bit of patience, as it was a slow build, but it was definitely worth it, and there is a twist that I didn’t see coming, which I love!!! I found myself examining some of my own preconceived notions about how I see the world and the people in it.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and Netgalley for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly you will get confused when you start this book but just stick with it. It is so worth your time to read it. I confess in the beginning I had quite a few unh? moments which eventually turned into ah moments when it all finally came together.

First time I've read this author and I can definitely understand the hype over his work.

Anxious People is a book about how you really never know the connections that are made between people everyday. Connections you may never know exists. That is of course unless you decide to rob a bank that then turns into a hostage situation and well there may be some connections you may have otherwise missed.

What if your big mistakes, those things you wish you could turn back time and change really weren't as damaging as you thought, what if you could fix all the wrongs you encounter, what if, what if, what if.......

What if in reality we're all inherently scared and maybe life isn't worth trudging through anymore. What if we're all questioning where we went wrong or if what we're doing is the right thing. Maybe we don't need to fake it anymore. Maybe there are others out there just like us who are just as anxious. Maybe you'll meet them in the most unlikely of places; like an apartment viewing on New Years Eve and become a hostage of a would be bank robber if it all hadn't gone so horribly wrong.

Maybe when you come out on the other side of it things will look a little brighter and maybe all the idiots are still idiots but also people you really come to like and understand a whole lot more.

**Thank you to Netgalley & Simon and Schuster Canada for the ARC of Anxious People. Review was voluntarily written and is based solely on my opinions upon finishing the book**

Fredrik Backman is back again with another beautifully written book that makes you laugh as well as tugs on your heart strings.

The story starts with an open-house turned into hostage site when the a failed bank robber seeks refuge at an apartment. The 8 people who happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time become hostages. However, these people soon find out that they have more in common that they imagine as this life-or-death situation leads to each of them opening up a can of worms on their past traumas and future worries.

I loved the comedic aspects of the book; Backman's dark humor and sarcasm can never be missed. But the amount of effort spent into each of the characters is admirable. He again successfully brings his characters to life. You learn to empathize with them as you follow along their journey. It's hilarious, though-provoking, heart-warming and heartwrenching all wrapped into one book.

Another huge win from Backman! I loved this story so so much!! As always, his writing hit me right in the feels. I can't get enough!

As always I loved his writing style, the unique set of characters and the storyline.

My favorite laugh out loud quotes!

This story is about a lot of things, but mostly about idiots.

Sadly Anna-Lena was about as good at whispering as she was thinking quietly, so it was pretty much the sort of shouted whisper that's the equivalent of a fart in an airplane that you think won't be noticed if you let it out a bit at a time. You never manage to be as discreet as you imagine.

Pizza doesn't go bad! - if you're a goat living in a garbage dump, maybe.

Huge thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and Netgalley for my review copy!

ANXIOUS PEOPLE by Fredrik Backman is a funny novel but also deep and thoughtful. This is a story about idiots in a hostage situation. All of the characters were likeable in their own ways and it was interesting how they all were connected. The heavy topic of suicide is part of this book but the humour throughout keeps this book fun and lighthearted. This was my first time reading Backman and I’m sure it won’t be my last. There’s a nice flow to his writing. I was happy to have read this book at the end.
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I’m a new Backman fan.

Years ago I read A Man Called Ove. Twice actually because two different book clubs I was in chose it a year apart. I thought it was good the first time. Great the second time.

Anxious People is Backman’s newest release. Right out of the gates, it is full of hilarious characters being interviewed by frustrated police officers trying to determine where a bank robber went. Of course the robber didn’t actually steal anything, so that’s part of the silliness. Just as it seems the story is simply a contemporary comedy depicting one blunder after another, sucker-punches of life lessons are revealed. By the end of the book, I was in tears and rushing to hug my family.

Bravo Backman. Bravo.

There is a unique narrative style to Backman's books that some will love and others may occasionally be annoyed by. From my perspective, the narrator slips into a patronizing tone from time to time that just irks a little. But the wit and the compassionate humanity of the story make it all worthwhile.

This book was very different than what I was expecting, and I do not know exactly what I was expecting as this is my first Fredrik Backman, but he is a beloved author by so many so I was very excited to read it and this book was so different that it kept me hooked the whole time.
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The book looks at a group of people who are involved in a hostage/bank robbery situation. We get a glimpse into each of the people who are being held hostage, their fears and desires; but we also get to see inside the head of the person holding everyone hostage, their motivations, as well as the police officers involved in the investigation.
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The writing is absolutely beautiful and lyrical. I thought that the book did a good job of presenting humanity, how people are never actually perfect, and the complexities between people and their relationships! Overall I really enjoyed!

One single really bad idea can ruin a person’s life. So when a bank robber tries to rob a cashless bank and then escapes into an apartment that is having an open house, what can go wrong? That is how Anxious People opens and right from the start Backman has the reader smiling along as he settles the reader into the heart of the story.

A roomful of people who didn’t know each other before this event will be forever changed by it. The author has written a fun cast of characters including a couple that like to visit all of the IKEA stores in Sweden, a little old lady who likes her wine and is forever waiting for her husband to park the car, a couple with a baby on the way, a woman who puts a clean towel on the sofa before sitting on it, a realtor working for a firm with a really bad name and a rabbit. Investigating the crime are two cops, one who believes in doing the right thing and one who believes in doing things correctly-and they aren’t always the same thing.

Much like in A Man Called Ove there is a serious message behind the humorous storyline. As a person of Danish descent, the dry humour was perfect. Not too sweet or preachy. The writing is lighthearted but in a grounded way. The characters are diverse and whacky, while deep and sentimental. It is a feat for a book to accomplish all this and yet this is what Fredrik Backman has done.

Thank you to @simonschusterca and @netgalley for this advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review. Anxious People publishes September 8, 2020.

"Boats that stay in the harbour are safe, sweetheart, but that's not what boats are built for." - Anxious People

REVIEW - Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

In Anxious People, Backman sets up a plot of a hostage situation from a bank robbery gone wrong. But is this really what the story is about?

Of course not. He continues on to build the story, exposing bits and pieces of each character to expose the true nature of events by the end.

You will be surprised. You will smile, laugh. You will probably get choked up. You'll definitely have some "aha" moments of lessons learned through the tale - because doesn't every Backman story leave us wanting to be better people?

Backman's ability to weave together the most unlikely of characters in the most natural way, and to cause readers to feel so much for them, is one of the top reasons I absolutely love his stories.

Anxious People is one of those stories that makes you see the good in humankind, and you'll be sorry to see it end.

Thank you to @atriabooks, @simonandschuster, and @netgalley for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“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.”

What It’s About: This is a story about an apartment viewing that turns into a hostage drama when a would-be bank robber inadvertently winds up in the apartment. It may sound uneventful but a hostage situation with eight anxious people is something else. This is a story about being human, about love.

“Sometimes two strangers only need one thing in common to find each other sympathetic.”

My thoughts: I LOVED it! Backman’s writing and depictions of human nature is just spot on as always! The things that are said in the book about relationships and life are so true, wise and honest. That’s what I like about his books. He gets it!

The characters are complicated, flawed, but good people who made questionable choices.

The story seems to be fragmented in the beginning with all the twists and turns. But as it progresses, everything makes sense.

Honestly, this book left me speechless. I do not know what else to say except give this a read. It is entertaining, funny, tragic and heartwarming all at the same time!

TW: Suicide, suicidal thoughts

Pub. Date: Sep 8, 2020

***Thank you Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for this gifted review copy in exchange for an honest review.***