I love books by Fredrik Backman because they remind me that a person can never know everything about another person and I am reminded to be more patient. Everyone has their own story, shaped by their own experiences, and we spend a lot of time sharing these stories. As Backman writes in chapter 58, “That’s the power of literature, you know, it can act like little love letters between people who can only explain their feelings by pointing at other people’s.”
This is a book about idiots, love, suicide, growing apart and a hostage taking, of sorts. The characters are complicated enough to be real people, stumbling through life one day at a time, trying their best but still making mistakes. It's also about how, if someone takes the step of listening and reaching out, they can surprise themselves and be better people than they thought they were.
If you've read any of Backman's previous work, you'll recognize his style of spiraling down into a story, putting in together in swirly bits and pieces until he reveals the big picture at the end. Some readers will find this frustrating, but if you trust him to take you there, you may find that you see yourself a little more clearly, too.

I've never had the pleasure of reading a feel-good who-dunnit before and WOW.
Backman kept me so engaged in Anxious People that I read the book in a single sitting.
To be honest, I've already read it a second time I loved it so much.
I love how we are taken on a journey and while it seems like the premise of the book keeps changing - is it about a bank robber? a policeman? a bridge? a rabbit? it all flows so beautifully.

Everytime I thought I knew what to expect, what a character would say my predictions were completely wrong and it changed how I viewed the characters and the entire story. When Backman takes us through the witness interviews - I almost cried I was laughing so hard. Those were the most frustrating conversations imaginable, and Jack/Jim's frustration is palpable as they try to weed through the crazy.
I loved the pacing, the interspersing of the interviews with the main event, or character back story.

The payoff.... it's delightful.

I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for this opportunity.

I'm trying to find the words to sum up a book that started so oddly. At its heart this book is about human beings and the emotions we hold deep inside of us, but on the surface its about a bank robbery gone wrong/turned hostage situation. Seemingly random people are brought together in this tale, but as the story progresses, the curtain is drawn back on all of their situations and lives and little hurts and things that make them so glaringly human.

Everyone and everything is deliberate and connected. There isn't a wasted character (well, maybe the hostage negotiator from Stockholm, but I mean, he never even makes it into the story, so does that even count?) I spent the first 1/3 of this book wondering just where it was going, only to be pleasantly surprised as things began to click so seamlessly into place.

If you loved Backman's "A Man Called Ove" then you'll enjoy this as well. It carries with it the whimsy of his storytelling, along with his signature style of giving you time to absorb and process what he's saying. He gently takes you by the hand and leads you through a storm of emotions.

I want to also draw attention to whoever his English translator is, because they just get it. There was one thing that didn't quite translate well for me, the "TRICKS REAL ESTATE AGENCY" (or whatever it was) but I imagine it was much funnier in its original language and they were struggling to find a suitable counterpart. Regardless, it doesn't detract from the story, more just makes you think "huh, this is a particularly groan-inducing dad joke!"

Four solid stars. I really enjoyed it, and I think most Backman fans and newbies alike will enjoy it too. He manages to deal with some heavy stuff, but still make it light and funny. Definitely give this one a chance.

A bank robber, hostages, pizza, fireworks, and a rabbit! And that only touches the surface of this delightful novel. Both serious and humorous in content, Backman has done it again. Each of his novels is as enjoyable as the previous. This is one author that does not disappoint. Loved it!

This book is a compelling story that has many stories within. It shows the good and not so good in people and how they cope with what life dishes out. The author does a wonderful job at drawing the reader in, even though the story is quite complex. The two main characters are policemen who are father and son as they deal with a bank robbery and hostage situation. However, you learn about all the hostages lives and what has brought the story to this point from all their perspectives. I highly recommend this book!

This is a book that will make anyone reassess their situation and life choices!
There is humor and drama and twists all the way to the end of the story. This story has many layers and they are all intertwined with characters very believable and really...all of them so wonderful!

In this story a group of people are connected to a tragic incident and this incident impact their lives in many different ways. They are all trying to cope but mostly in silence until a robbery -hostage situation occurs.

“…this is a book about idiots…” the author explains. I guess it is. The characters live day by day, making choices based on assumptions, and having only bits and pieces of information. They are afraid, feeling lonely and confused but appearing otherwise, As the rest of us, they tend to create stories in their heads to fill in those empty spaces instead of communicating better or finding help.

I liked this story. I especially enjoyed reading it at this time, among this pandemic, when I believe there is so much uncertainty and fear among all of us; yet may pretend to be fine. I think we are all connected by the ripple effects that we make with our choices.

5 definite stars!!

Another special book from Fredrik Backman deserving all the stars!

There are so many reasons why I loved this book and the complex, entertaining and quirky characters is the main one. Anxious People is a character driven novel and every single person contributes to the overall awesomeness of the book.

The storyline was also very clever - at first it kind of seems like there is so much going on in the book and there are so many scattered characters and events but as our characters develop one by one, so does the story. Everything falls into place smoothly and once you get to the end of the book, you realize how beautifully the story has progressed to get to the end. It was superb!!

There were moments in the book that I was laughing out loud and at times I was crying hard and that is a firm testimony of how clever and strong the author is with his words.

Grab a copy and enjoy!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for providing this arc.

Such an amazing tale! Both heartwarming and heart wrenching at reminding you that you may have more in common with the stranger next to you than you may imagine, and how close friendships can form in the strangest of circumstances. Mr Backman has such a beautiful way of writing, I’m not sure I’ll ever not love his books.

You can tell this is great writing, right from the moment that you open the book.
It's a witty plot, a bungled burglary to a botched hostage situation to a missing perp. I laughed out loud at moments. Even if you have never been in a hostage situation, the characters were so well crafted that their personalities came shining right through the story. The characters and their aspects were quite enthralling at times, you really wanted to try to figure it all out. At one point I thought I had too. I was totally wrong though. I didn't expect the outcome of it all either. Seriously, I'm floored. Maybe people won't see cops in such a bad light, but it is only a book after all...
My first time reading this authors' works and it definitely won't be the last. He is brilliant! LIterary lovers will thoroughly enjoy this one!

3.5/5

Omg I loved this book so much. I don’t even know where to begin on what I loved most. The story of the bank robber and the hostages-worst hostages ever😂 the intertwining of the characters. The stories of each hostage. I don’t want to give anything away. I loved Jim and Jacks story. Everything. This book was fantastic. My favorite book by Frederick was the Man from Ove. Not anymore. This book replaces it. This is a must read. So heartwarming. So many little surprises in the book.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.

After attempting to rob a bank, the robber is on the run when they wind up locked in an apartment, with the people who were at a viewing for said apartment. The bank robber takes them as hostages and they eventually begin to learn about each other as they figure out what’s happening. In the end, the robber gives up and lets everyone go, leaving the police to rush into an empty apartment.
The individual's dysfunctional testimonies after-the-fact lead us to wonder, how did the robber get out of the locked apartment?

Anxious People was hard to put down, it was a quick page-turner that kept me on my toes. The twist present wasn’t something I was able to piece together and I found it VERY surprising. It drove me to look back on previous chapters and realize how deliberate Backman was in his writing. This novel was interesting in that it had some mystery, but it also contained an in-depth character study without being slow. The pacing was perfect, and the bits of information you gain each chapter add to the layers of the story. The length of the chapters was also ideal, some were quite short, but it made it easy to pick up whenever. I did not need to carve out a chunk of time to be able to get through a chapter. As you’re reading you may think “wait, where is this headed?” and the way everything comes together, in the end, is a masterpiece. I loved this novel and I would recommend it to everyone.

Anxious People is a light, summer read. This book tackles the lasting effect of suicide on those who are affected by the person’s death in a light hearted way. There are elements of humour when a bank robber totally messes up a bank robbery and later a hostage taking. The hostages end up supporting the bank robber and hides their identity from the police.

I have loved everything by Backman, but this one is so unique and incredibly detailed, that it has quickly become my favourite book of his. The way he threads characters and events together, the inner workings of his characters, and the heart/soul behind their choices and actions. I loved everything about this book. The way it is introduced, keeping you guessing as to what happened, the relationships between the characters, the witty banter, the emotion... everything was top notch to me. Thank you for sending me this book! Will be recommending to everyone.

With a diverse cast with a spectrum from (Swedish) society, this book is true to Backman style, witty, pithy and amusingly sardonic yet sensitive and trenchant at the same time. Add love stories, familial complications and sort of a "locked door" mystery and you get a story that does not disappoint.

Wow this book was amazing! This book made me feel so much. It was about so many things - every day interactions, kindness, second chances, unexpected friendships, suicide - but, it was mostly about being human. The author just beautifully weaved this book together! I kept thinking I knew what was going on and then there would be a twist. It was such a joy to read these crazy characters.

Thank you so much Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for providing me with a copy of this amazing book!

What a treat to get an ARC from one of my favourite authors! I was so happy to see that his writing style has not changed at all and it felt like a continuation of his other work. I love that he tells stories in a way where the characters are more interconnected than the reader initially thinks. It is a treat to see the relationships develop between his characters. 2020 is not over yet but this is definitely a contender for my book of the year!

Backman is a master of showing us that people are not always what they seem to be on the surface. Appearances are deceiving and people are far more complex than we think. The one you think is an arrogant prick and so focused on business and winning is the one who stayed home and raised his kids so his wife could experience career success. You just never know someone until you dig a bit deeper.

This book has so many laugh-out-loud funny parts (I am still chuckling about the bank robber running up the stairs!). It also covers a lot of serious topics (suicide, suicide attempts, anxiety, depression etc.),

I loved the characters in this book. It is hard to pick a favourite but I really loved the old lady Estelle. Her story broke my heart but I love how feisty she was. Nadia was a very close second for me.

I "felt" this book. I did not just read it. Yes, it made me cry and left me feeling warm and fuzzy (just like A Man Called Ove and Beartown). I really did not want this story to end and I am hoping for a sequel for sure!

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