Fredrik Backman is a true artist with words and he has done it again with Anxious People. This book is heart-breaking and heart-warming all at once. The writing style is incredibly unique and quirky, but by the end you realize Backman has tricked you into feeling something altogether unexpected. This book is one I will remember and think back on because of how perfectly he can sum up our world.

This is actually the second book I have read by Backman. The first one I read by him was A Man Called One and I absolutely loved it. Unfortunately, I didn't love this one.

I thought Backman kind of went in circles in the beginning of this one. There were a lot of characters and there was a lot going on and there was also a lot of extraneous information. I did enjoy the police interviews of the witnesses -- there was a lot of humor in those scenes. There were other things that just seemed so over the top that I had a hard time wrapping my head around it. It took a while for me to fully get invested in the book and that's part of the reason I gave it three stars instead of four. Towards the end, the author finally revealed all the intricate connections and the different themes and I even teared up a little bit. I do think that Backman is very talented to be able to pull off the complex connections he did in this book. It ended on a very beautiful note. I think it just took a little time to get there.

Fredrik Backman has a way of making the mundane very interesting. The individuals thrown together in a very odd situation were all uniquie yet connected by the end of the book. I enjoyed getting to know each of the characters but I felt like there were a few parts of the books that were a little long winded. Didn't enjoy the relationship and chapters spent on Zara and Nadia. Overall a good read and I for sure will pick up the next
Fredrik Backman title.

Thank you to @atriabooks and @bradeighgodfrey for my copy!

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Anxious People by Fredrik Backman is an amazing read.

BUT

One I nearly DNF early on! 😱

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I confess that the beginning seemed messy and I didn’t see where the author was going even if his writing already amazed me.

This book being part of a giveaway turned buddy read thanks to @thebookishladiesclub , I read others having the same issue but confessing that everything would make sense.

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I resumed my reading and I can say that once more, Fredrik Backman blew me away!

I discovered his writing through Beartown that turned out to be my best read of 2018 and he proved once more that he is the wizard of the human soul!

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The plot is built around a bank robbery turned bad and the bank robber taking in hostage severalpeople visiting an apartment.

We will follow all these people as well as the two police officers in charge of the situation.

From the first pages, you know that the bank robber escaped the appartment injured and we have no idea how he escaped!

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Fredrik Backman has an incredible understanding of human nature. He built suspense, gave us a mystery to solve (how could the bank robber disappear) and several life stories to follow.

Seemingly disjointed in the beginning, in a non linear style and with lots of backstories, everything will come nicely together just to blow you away!

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If Fredrik Backman sure knows how to build his story, what I admire most is his incredible penmanship.

I took notes all the time of so many quotes!

In just a few words, he makes you SEE evertything.

There is a depth, a wisdom in his analysis of life and human nature that is unmatched.

I think if he wrote a grocery list, I would still read it and find it insightful.

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Just read it!



I just want to share two of my favorite quotes here from early on in the book to make you show you what I mean with being an amazing writer:



“It’s hardly surprising that people get confused and society is going to the dogs when it’s full of caffeine-free coffee, gluten-free bread, alcohol-free beer.”





“Jim was born in a generation that regarded computers as magic, Jack in one that has always taken them for granted. When Jim was young, children used to be punished by being sent to their rooms, but these days you have to force children to come out of them.”

It's official... This is my favorite Fredrik Backman book yet.

This book breaks you before putting you back together piece by piece. I loved seeing the story unfold and all the little details that went into this story and the characters to make this book what it was. I would love to see a movie of this and to see how the characters that I can picture so vividly would come to life. I recommend this to Backman fans as well as anyone who is fascinated by home people act in abnormal situations.

It seemed like a good idea, like the only possible solution to an unexpected problem, but actually, it was a terrible idea. Loving someone can make us do ridiculous things, though, like taking people hostage, jumping off bridges, or robbing a bank.

In his new novel “Anxious People” Fredrik Backman introduces the reader to a cast of well drawn characters who are caught up in the drama resulting from one very, very bad decision. Through a combination of often hilarious police statements and a narrative that jumps back in forth in time and perspective, Backman artfully spools stories within stories that show just how interconnected we all are. Even strangers and spectators can affect the lives of others; one person’s past can entangle and haunt another’s. Sometimes in surprising ways.

Backman is a master at using simple, clear language to reveal sometimes painful and beautiful truths about modern life. Truths about how difficult it is “to adult” and to try to be a “good” human for the people we love. Just like his readers, Bachman’s characters struggle to get through the day while doing the right thing amidst the crazy rush, it just isn't always clear what “thing” might be.

If you need a book that will renew your faith in people, “Anxious People” would be perfect for you. It will make you laugh and cry - and very glad you picked it up.
Trigger Warning: suicide

(I want to thank NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.)

I have read every book Backman has written and each one, including Anxious People has been amazing. He has a way of connecting with readers like no other author I have read. This books selves into anxiety on such a true level and how each person’s life can simply but also dramatically affect another. Highly recommend this one!

Backman is a Swedish author of many best selling books including three Heather's Picks…"A Man Called Ove", "Beartown" and "Us Against You". This new release is more in the style of "A Man Called Ove' for both its humour and depth. In this novel a failed bank robber ends up with a room full of hostages at an apartment viewing. When the hostages are released the robber has disappeared. A father and son team of cops interview the hostages trying to figure out what happened. We read the interview transcripts and in other chapters we follow along as the events in the apartment occur. This is a wonderful lighter, but thought provoking story.

What a fabulous story. Backman's characters portray the variety of human nature in a moving and deeply emotional way. The parallel plotlines provide an interconnected structure that rewards the reader with an emotional experience worthy of any book. Not necessarily a "feel good" novel but surely a lovely story that, through twists and turns, keeps the reader surprised throughout the adventure. I loved this book and would recommend this to anybody who enjoys reading quick, page-turning novels.

Another stellar offering from one of my favorite authors! I can already picture the film version of this highly comedic, character driven story. At the heart of the plot is a darn good mystery a la Agatha Christie, but to me the most entertaining part of the whole thing was following along with the police as they interviewed witnesses and revealed each one of their quirky personalities.

Excellent!

Fredrik Backman is one of my favorite authors and I'll pretty much read anything that he writes. He has the unique talent of reflecting the human spirit in his writings, and really connecting with his readers through his books. He makes us feel as if we know each and every one of his characters.

“Anxious People” is a thought-provoking, heartbreaking but amusing book that leaves you pondering about your own relationships and life. This story is about "A bank robbery. A hostage drama. This story is about a lot of things, but mostly about idiots." It showcases Mr. Backman’s writing and depth of talent in a completely different way than his other books.

This story features a father-son police officer duo, a bank robber, a real estate agent, and a cast of eclectic characters in a hostage situation that supports the core theme of the human spirit. Each character is humanized, and you will relate to every single one of them. The story is told from a third person narrative and a series of police interviews recalling the hostage situation, so you also get a first person perspective sprinkled into the story.

The story especially humanizes the bank robber, who we normally think of as a vile, despicable character because they are criminals and taking people hostage. However, Backman makes this bank robber actually likeable due to the poor robber's home situation and internal struggles. It made me feel that he didn't have a choice to rob a bank and I felt empathy for him.

This book is about parenting, marriage, relationships, home ownership, struggles, and the human spirit. It's an entertaining, funny, reflective book that I enjoyed reading. Much of Backman's writing is thoughtful prose, and I found myself nodding in agreement many times. Like all of his other books, this one is unforgettable. It's a must-read.

This was another book written in Backman's quirky style. I actually found the book a little silly in the beginning and was tempted to abandon it but then the characters started to grow on me and I couldn't help reading on to find out their background. The end had me crying but it was definitely a worthwhile read with some interesting observations about society in general.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. In the past I have not enjoyed Backman's work, but I decided to give him another chance. Unfortunately, even though the content of this one was better than his others I still do not like his writing. Sorry.

Fredrik Backman is a master storyteller and he does it again with the book #AnxiousPeople. ⁣He somehow manages to tackle difficult subjects without trivializing them but still allowing them to be humorous. ⁣This book is a story of a bank robbery gone very wrong and the idiots in the story (his word, not mine) who are taken hostage after the failed robbery. ⁣It is also a story about compassion, human relationships, and the daily struggles that we all have. ⁣I love how Backman shows the good in people despite the flaws that make them human. Back is such a talented writer and is able to vary his style to best tell the story. I loved this book! Thank you to @Atriabooks for my advanced copy and this home listing that is the perfect piece to go with the story!⁣
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First let me say, I am the one person that did not read A Man Called Ove. When I heard about this book I was super excited to get my hands on it. Then I heard it was written by the same author and thought maybe this is not for me. Nothing against A Man Called Ove, I hear it is fantastic. It is just not my genre. That all being said, I was still excited for this book. Well THANK YOU Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this FANTASTIC book. This book has it all!! A bank robbery, kind of. A hostage situation, kind of. A police investigation, kind of. I laughed though probably the first two-thirds of the book and then other emotions took over. I am not the crying sort, but yeah there were some real feels going on. The characters were fantastic, yeah I am using that word again, because they absolutly were fantastic. I am not just saying Mr. Backman is good at character development, I am saying WOW, I loved every character in that story. They all touched me and drew me into their individual and combined lives. I do not want to give away any spoilers. I just want to say, you need to read this book! Even if Ove was not your genre, this book is FANTASTIC!!! I am very stingy with my 5 star reviews, but this books, yes, this fantastic book gets all 5

Now I haven’t read all his other books, so I can’t really say how Anxious People stacks up against the rest. However, this book is exactly as promised - very funny, very clever, and very thoughtful.

A bank robber is thwarted and runs into an open house, taking the prospective buyers hostage. Comedy unfolds as the police try to rescue the hostages and determine exactly what happened in the aftermath.

First, I’d like to say, this book has more depth and purpose than I ever expected, and to that end, TRIGGER/CONTENT WARNING for substance abuse, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts/ideation/behavior. Please take this seriously. I actually wish someone had mentioned it before I started reading.

Secondly, assuming the trigger warnings don’t discourage you, this is a must read for anxious people! I felt truly seen by Backman, who clearly knows and intimately understands anxiety, how crippling and disruptive it can be. He conveys how critical communication can be for the anxious and how vital it is for those struggling to get the help and compassion they seek.

And he does it with so much grace and humor! I think part of by Backman is so beloved is because he takes his readers on these seemingly scattered and unplanned journeys, throwing laughter and wisdom at them in the strangest of places. By the time you reach your destination, you realize the pit stops weren’t random, the anecdotes were actually great advice, and the scenic views are ones you’ll revisit over and over.

Thirdly, as mentioned above, I did find parts of the narrative scattered - there are several very closely bound timelines unfolding seemingly without sense, and the chapters bounce between the hostage situation (mostly) and the police interrogations, which are given in interview/dialogue form. Still, by the end, I was completely enamored with each character, and I feel even a bit further in love with the author.

Finally (not really a spoiler but maybe could be): Zara was absolutely the stand-out character for me. The police officer duo were a close second, but Zara’s evolution made me keep reading and provided the payoff I was looking for. Her storyline was the breadcrumb trail that led me full circle.

Fredrick Blackman does not disappoint with this ingeniously written book about how we cope with obstacles and guilt in our life. The vividly described scenes puts you right into the story as if you are participating in the drama.. A must read for anyone who is a me,bee of the human race!

A quirky yet satisfying story about having faith in humanity. Or perhaps it's a story about a bank robbery, but was a crime really committed. A story about a group of hostages viewing an apartment listing. A story about love. Or was it just a story about idiots. Afterall don't we all make the wrong decision at some point in our life for all the right reasons. Yeah, I know that was kinda all over the place. I never knew where Fredrik was leading me, but I was all in for the journey. Even though I was spinning in circles reading this everything came together so beautifully in the end.

Fredrick Backman is tied for my favourite author with Taylor Jenkins Reid. I've read everything he's written (that's been translated) and constantly recommend his books to anyone who enjoys hard-hitting contemporaries. His writing will always make me cry. So naturally, I was excited to see that he had a new book getting released this year, Anxious People. I instantly put it on my TBR, but I was surprised when reading the premise for his newest release as it seemed to differ from his usual plot-lines.

I'm silly for thinking that this novel wouldn't be one of the most heartfelt books I've ever read. There's something special that Backman manages to always achieve, and that's the way he writes about humanity. I never leave one of his stories without a warmed heart and an urge to hug somebody. In Anxious People I'd definitely say that some of the characters mirrored characters from Backman's previous novels, which isn't necessarily a bad thing but something to be noted nonetheless.

Each individual in the apartment has their time to shine, and that's quite an achievement for a book under 400 pages. The robber is in trouble of losing their children and is in desperate need of money to pay the rent, so, not your traditional criminal. There's a queer couple Julia and Ro, who are expecting their first child together, but are also faced with the fears of any first-time parents. Roger and Anne-Lena, a retired couple who go around flipping properties, but are having some marital problems. Estelle, an elderly woman who was just waiting for her husband to bring around the car when she got caught up in this hostage situation. There's a man in his boxers wearing a rabbit head. Yup, you read that correctly. There's a quirky real estate agent who is desperate to make a sale. And lastly, there's Zara. A rich lonely woman who goes to apartment viewing to feel something.

Zara's story really sealed this book into a 5 star rating for me. I found her to be so complex, flawed, and yet inspiring. As this book plays a lot with time, we're lucky enough to read from Zara's POV quite a bit and her therapy sessions were the highlight of the book for me. I couldn't help but painfully relate to her voice, and isn't that what we always want out of a story like this?

All in all, this is an original book that really takes you all over the place but lands you under what feels like a fluffy blanket. The writing plays you, the reader, but never seems to be purposely confusing. Instead it's like the softest touching mystery you will ever read. If you've read anything by Backman before, or enjoy contemporaries that tattoo themselves onto your heart, pick this book up immediately.

Side-note: Anxious People often discusses suicide, so if that's something that is triggering to you, go in with absolute caution.

Fredrik Backman has a very unique writing style (in my opinion) and that did not change with his new release "Anxious People." This being said, I think Backman utilizes this writing style along with a third person perspective to really advance the narrative being told. I did not predict the twists and turns, and more so I was caught red-handed in my own assumptions as I read through the story.

The part of this story that I appreciated the most was Backman's insight into anxiety and how different individuals will have different triggers. Every character seemingly had their own unique worry situated to their life and background, and I found it easier to connect with some characters over others because of that.

My critiques include the non-linear plot that I occasionally had trouble following, a hope for even *more* drama, and the ending that seemed to stretch on, however the ending really does allow you to come full circle. Overall though, this novel is divine. Seeing all the hidden connections between the characters at the end made me really happy, and I'm a sucker for happy endings.

Instagram review included in links!