Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

Amy  

Lynnie

contemporary fiction 

 

Amy's Review

Anxious People is the story surrounding a failed bank robbery in Sweden—the bank robber’s desperation that led up to it, the people who were impacted when the bank robber created a hostage situation, and the police investigating the crimes and attempting to locate the bank robber. This is also a story concerning suicide.

Of course, as you might expect, the story is serious and thought-provoking when dealing with those issues. But it is also a humor-filled novel! (The excellent voice acting on the audiobook had me laughing out loud a few times—see below.) This novel does not take itself seriously and that was one of its best features. Fredrik Backman crafted the story brilliantly, beginning after the bank robbery and hostage situation with the police investigation. The story developed through flashbacks of the events from all of those involved. Backman occasionally referenced the fact that this was a story, taking the reader out of the story momentarily, but adding to the suspense. The characters were charming and the story-weaving was masterful. I enjoyed every minute. There are surprises, devastations, self discoveries, relationship-centered situations, coincidences, family dramas, and romances. And there’s a rabbit. And a bridge. And pizza.

I really loved it and cannot think of any reason to dock any points so I’m giving it 5 stars!

This is the third Fredrik Backman audiobook I’ve heard which has been narrated by Marin Ireland. She really outdid herself in this one. Her range of different voices was stellar. Her delivery of the humor was spot on. And, as I mentioned above, the voice acting was excellent. A+! This performance might win my favorite narration of the year. Undoubtedly, it also contributed to my love of this novel.

Lynnie's Review

The second book I’ve read by Fredrik Backman, Anxious People was an absolutely charming novel from start to finish.

After an attempted bank robbery that happens as a result of desperation and poor planning, the robber takes a group of people attending an open house for an apartment hostage. This is their story; how a group of strangers in a most unusual situation cope, collaborate, survive, and ultimately thrive.

There are surprises, relationships, laughter, and revelations in these pages as the characters come to terms with their pasts and the possibilities for their futures. Full disclosure, suicide is a major theme of the novel so if that bothers you steer clear, though it is treated with great respect throughout. I absolutely adored this story & can’t recommend it strongly enough.