Anxious People by Fredrik Backman. Do not have the words to describe or do justice to the story, Wow, incredible, fantastic seem too mild. One of those books that will have each reader feel and take away something from the characters' stories. Highly recommended.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

A Man Called Ove changed my life!
I have been a big fan since reading that book. I tell everyone who asks me for a
Top Author- Fredrik is in my Top 2 Best Authors!! I have his books on my home bookshelf.
I keep referring patrons, friends, even strangers to read his books.
I have been waiting 1 year, 2 months for this book to be translated.

Now, I am opening the book,
I can hardly breathe …
I am feeling faint with excitement …


...YES, YES, another winner by Fredrik Backman!! This book is so superb, I can't wait for others to read
it so we can talk about it. Fredrik, you have a talent that I treasure!
I will be excited to buy this book and read it again and again.
I will also be counting the days until your next book.

I couldn't read this book fast enough! A wonderfully witty and heartfelt title from Fredrik Backman. He weaves a tale out of very different threads. At times you may wonder where it is all going but it comes together so beautifully! The day before New Year's Eve a desperate and not very good bank robber accidentally takes several people hostage at an apartment viewing. Strange premise but amazing story. I'd give it 10 stars if I could! Wonderful, funny relatable characters, excellent reminder of the power of community.

Fredrik Backman is a master at running you through the gambit of emotions-- searching for tissues one minute, only to be snorting in laughter the next. Anxious People is no exception to this and falls very much in the same path as A Man Called Ove and Britt Marie was Here (two of the most adorable characters in all of contemporary literature). The book is essentially set over the course of one very long day when a bank robber completely blunders the holdup and then inadvertently takes a group hostage while they are looking at an apartment for purchase. Then, there's father/son cop team attempting to thwart the thief, but instead are humorously bungling it from the beginning. The best, as always with Backman, is his cast of loveable characters-- the funny one, the depressed one(s), the curmudgeon, the romantic one, plus a few more that slowly becoming irrecoverably interwined in such a way that they will be altered permanently because of the relationship formed.

This book, however, should probably be read by all human. The author's light and funny narrative is heavily laced with deep mental health awareness issues. Suicide plays a prominent role throughout; however, not in such a way to depress the reader... But rather the opposite. The book gives a great perspective on the importance of human connection-- and how it is the one true healer for our disconnected, online world.

If you've never read a Fredrik Backman book, I heavily suggest them all. You'll get all the feels and meet some very memorable characters along the way!

*I received this ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.

Is it possible to fall in love with an author’s work, EVERY SINGLE TIME ???? Apparently so! I have just been WOWED again. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 @atriabooks 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐤 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐦𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐮𝐩𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤, 𝘈𝘯𝘹𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦! Not only is this one of the most anticipated reads of this fall (𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎), but Backman @backmansk is my all time favorite author.⁣ There is a chance that I may be changing the name of my blog from Dear Mr. Hemingway to Dear Mr. Backman 😂🤣😂!
⁣
Though all of Backman’s books are different, they have one thing in common...PEOPLE. 𝘈𝘯𝘹𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 is no exception. Backman’s gift is that he allows his readers to view the world from someone else’s perspective. 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲. He once again turns his characters inside out on the pages of his books exposing all of their flaws, all of their most vulnerable sides. Whether you are fond of his characters or not,you will no doubt understand them at the end of his story. What I love about his new book (and all the rest of his books), is not only his talent for meshing together quirky and oftentimes struggling folks, but that 𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬. From everyday life to the absurdities that are thrown our way, Backman will get you to smile. ⁣
⁣
Back understands the human spirit. 𝗪𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐚 𝐟𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝! At the end of the day...𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. ⁣

I love the way that Fredrik Backman makes you think about bank robbers, policemen, real estate agents, bank managers, actors, retirees, flower shop owners, and lesbians. He says they are all idiots, which I don't doubt. In his story the bank robber flees the bank because it is one that doesn't use money. We're talking Sweden. The robber runs out of the bank and across the street up into an apartment which is showing with a lot of people in it. The bank robber holds the people hostage. This is how the story goes with all the people and their stories told to make you believe each and every person, but you wouldn't believe what they tell you. It makes for an interesting story. You learn why Backman says their all idiots. Each one in a different way makes mistakes that lead to other truths and funny and sad stories. Each person knows something about some of the others and that's as far as I will go. Read it for yourself to find each person.

Backman has such a beautiful way of writing about humankind. This book was heavy, but the quirky characters and eloquent writing make this a great read. The storyline is done in a unique and intriguing way and comes full circle at the end (which is a craft hard to master) but Backman is a true storyteller and Anxious People did not disappoint. Thank you again to @atriabooks for the free copy. This one comes out 9.8.20 and I anticipate it will be a Fall must read!

Backman is such a crafter writer and author, and I have thoroughly enjoyed his previous books, so I was excited to read his upcoming release, Anxious People.

Just as I’d hoped, the writing sweeps you up from the start, and I felt so connected to each character, as the reader gets glimpses into just exactly happened that New Years Eve day of the alleged hostage situation.

Little by little, the mystery opens up and you get to see how each person is connected, and I just loved this book.

*thank you Atria for the gifted copy for review. All opinions are my own

The writing was MAGNIFICENT! How very clever was Backman to weave the story and the characters the way he did. It is easily 5 stars!

What a perfect title to a book that will leave you a bit anxious at the start of each chapter, and just when you get to the close of it another little hint is dropped and you start all over again with the next chapter. I simply love this about Backman's writing.

You will fall in love with all the characters and still think of them when you turn the last page. This book was that good! I am so very thankful to be given the opportunity to read this prior to release day, as it is my most anticipated read of 2020!

I love Backman's writing and this novel was amazing. It's a character driven novel the impact people have on each other's lives and was so deep and insightful while also being humorous and leaving you feeling happy and warm inside.

This will end up being one of my favorite books of the year hands down. Anxious People is funny, moving and will break your heart in half at times. This was a fast paced book that I could re read often. The words in this book are filled with compassion and humanity. Backman is a writer who truly understands human nature and it shows in every one of his books.

Without spoiling anything, the story begins with a bank robbery, that leads to a hostage situation, that leads to the exploration of every individual involved, including the reader. My favorite stories are the ones that make you reevaluate who you are and what makes you that way, and this was no exception.
Thank you Fredrick Backman for once again giving us a treasure.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Netgallery for gifting me an advanced copy.

Absolutely brilliant, as always. How one person has such imagination to come up with this level of original, creative, inventive plots is beyond me. No one writes like Backman -- he is truly in a league of his own. "Anxious People" is nothing short of a wonderful gem.

This is a story about a bank robbery gone wrong.
It's also a story of a hostage drama, in Apartment Viewing. (Open House)
And, it's a story about idiots. (Author’s words!)

Now Picture Abbott and Costello as a father and son, Police duo in a small town-

First they have to "google" what to do in a hostage situation and then they have to interview the hostages after they are released to try to determine how the bank robber, turned hostage taker, managed to get away...and why the hostages turned witnesses are so:uncooperative and hostile?!

The humor of these situations reminded me of the Abbott and Costello skit:
Who's on First? (see a clip on YouTube)

If this is the kind of humor that has you laughing out loud, this is a book for you!

Favorite quote from the book:
"People want to be good. Deep down. Kind.
The problem of course is that it isn't always possible to be kind to idiots, because they're idiots"

The writing is folksy.
The ending is heart warming and reaffirming of the human spirit.
The message is clear.

It may be difficult to be kind to idiots...but cut them some slack, and be kind anyway!
PS: Being human is hard! We have all been an idiot at one time or another, trying to get it right!

Isn't that the perfect antidote for our present Covid-19 World?

Available Sept. 8, 2020

Thank You to Simon & Schuster for my gifted copy! All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Isabel DaSilva for my electronic ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be published September 8, 2020 in the United States.

This is my SEVENTH book by this author. Like many, I discovered him first from A Man Called Ove. I admire his ability to tell stories that are vastly different from each other! From a grumpy old man (Ove) to a hockey team (Beartown) to Anxious People. I got to hear him speak in June 2017 at Powell’s Books, when he was on tour promoting Beartown. I could have listened to him for hours. Seriously. He was that interesting.

So where to begin my review? Let me be the first to say it started off rough. Rough because I didn’t understand the plot yet. Rough because the two cops were extremely frustrating. Rough because the characters were a mess. Anxious People became Anxious Reader for me. But here’s the thing I should have known: I TRUST THIS AUTHOR. The way he reveals his story is deliberate and I need to trust that it will all make sense in the end. It’s worth it. So keep on reading. Every quirky story line (the failed bank robbery, the rabbit, the cops, the seven strangers who are taken hostage at an Open House and the man who jumped off the bridge) is relevant in the end.

Original review posted on GoodReads.

A new Fredrik Backman novel is always cause for celebration with me, as I've yet to read anything he's written that I didn't love. Happy to report that 'Anxious People' is another winner for me. What I loved about it, particularly, is it shows how Backman continues to grow as a writer. He could have been a one-trick pony with his quirky cute tales of old curmudgeons (I'm looking at you Ove and Britt-Marie), but moved into more social commentary and tougher topics for his two visits to Beartown.
'Anxious People" combines his quirkiness for characters with some tough social commentary - the poverty trap and the desperate things that some people will do to try and keep seeing their kids, as well as a recurring theme of suicide. But don't worry if you think this will be a depressing slog - as always Backman manages to delight, weaving a dark thread through a hugely enjoyable tale of an accidental hostage situation during an open house apartment viewing.
As always, Backman creates characters who initially you may love or you may hate, but by the end, I loved them all - there is redemption aplenty to be had here, with a really satisfying ending that makes you feel better about the world (and let's face it, we could all do with that right now).
Another great read from an author who never disappoints. Hugely recommended. Thank you to the publisher for the advance copy!!

I was nervous that Backman wouldn’t be able to craft a heartfelt, funny, poignant story like he’s done every other time. I mean how many times can an author strike gold? For my old pal Fredrik, it’s every damn time.

Anxious People probes the human condition in the frank, honest, beautiful way that only Backman can. I loved every page.

Wow! That was fantastic! This book is about.....being human. I have only read one other book by this author and it was Ove. I am probably the only person on this earth that didn't enjoy that book. I was like what is all the fuss about? Umm yeah ...THIS....this right here is what all the fuss is about. This author is absolutely brilliant to be able to put this story together in the manner that he did. I am going to say one thing...Kevin Bacon...Nope Kevin Bacon is not in this book, but just keep that in the back of your mind...Let me know if you get it after you read this.

Why did I love this book so much? Oh my gosh, there are sooo many reasons. It was so amazingly clever that you would be reading along thinking you knew exactly what was going on...and then I would literally stop dead in my tracks and go OMG...wow...really? Yet it all made perfect sense. It is such a well thought out progression throughout the story, that it simply amazes me that someone can dig in that deep and produce that for us. Yes, yes, I am now a fangirl, I admit.

Here's a little what to expect without spoiling anything for you, because you will never forgive me if I did! Expect a bank robber who attempts to rob a cashless bank.. Hmm okay bank robber, I had no idea that was a thing either, so I am right there with you. The "worst hostages ever." Man these hostages were entertaining. A guy wearing a rabbit costume (only the head) standing in his underwear smoking a cigarette. Yep that is an example of your hostages! SO entertaining, with a witty, snarky, dry humor...little snippets by the author- telling us not to think about cookies, aww now I want a cookie.

We really got to see what made each character in the book tick. The character development was superb! The story was so unique, that piece by piece it fell into place.It constantly kept turning out one surprise after another. Super clever. ❤️

Obviously....I loved it! Grab a copy as soon as you can, this is a must read! I can't thank Atria Books enough for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book knocked my socks off!

t’s always such a treat to read a Fredrik Backman book.

I confess, my reading slump is the worst it’s been in many years. The current climate doesn’t do anything for my literature reading mojo, still, I pushed myself to read this.

I loved the plot and the concept of this book and how Backman brought everyone’s stories together.
Yet again, Backman’s understanding of human nature shines through. Everybody has a story, everybody hurts and most people have anxieties, ranging from daily life anxieties to the more serious kind. There’s suicide, suicide attempts, grief, trauma, loneliness, relationship breakdown, and self-loathing. All these serious aspects are well balanced out by humour, be it observational or situational. As I read on, my enjoyment and appreciation of this novel grew exponentially. I don’t know what it is about Backman’s books, they just make me soft.

It's fair to say that Backman's books are killing me softly.