Genres
Publication
Atria Books (2020), 352 pages
Description
Fiction. Literature. Humor (Fiction.) HTML:Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller A People Book of the Week, Book of the Month Club selection, and Best of Fall in Good Housekeeping, PopSugar, The Washington Post, New York Post, Shondaland, CNN, and more! "[A] quirky, big-hearted novel...Wry, wise, and often laugh-out-loud funny, it's a wholly original story that delivers pure pleasure." �??People From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove comes a charming, poignant novel about a crime that never took place, a would-be bank robber who disappears into thin air, and eight extremely anxious strangers who find they have more in common than they ever imagined. Looking at real estate isn't usually a life-or-death situation, but an apartment open house becomes just that when a failed bank robber bursts in and takes a group of strangers hostage. The captives include a recently retired couple who relentlessly hunt down fixer-uppers to avoid the painful truth that they can't fix their own marriage. There's a wealthy bank director who has been too busy to care about anyone else and a young couple who are about to have their first child but can't seem to agree on anything, from where they want to live to how they met in the first place. Add to the mix an eighty-seven-year-old woman who has lived long enough not to be afraid of someone waving a gun in her face, a flustered but still-ready-to-make-a-deal real estate agent, and a mystery man who has locked himself in the apartment's only bathroom, and you've got the worst group of hostages in the world. Each of them carries a lifetime of grievances, hurts, secrets, and passions that are ready to boil over. None of them is entirely who they appear to be. And all of them�??the bank robber included�??desperately crave some sort of rescue. As the authorities and the media surround the premises these reluctant allies will reveal surprising truths about themselves and set in motion a chain of events so unexpected that even they can hardly explain what happens next. Rich with Fredrik Backman's "pitch-perfect dialogue and an unparalleled understanding of human nature" (Shelf Awareness), Anxious People is an ingeniously constructed story about the enduring power of friendship, forgiveness, and hope�??the things that save us, even in the most an… (more)
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LibraryThing member theWallflower
Apparently, this guy is a big deal in the book world. He wrote “A Man Called Ove”, which is supposed to be a fan favorite, but I’ve never read it.
The cover of this book says that it’s a comedy. But the problem is that, in a book, you lose the element of timing, which is CRUCIAL to telling a
But overall, it’s a good job all around. The style of storytelling is what’s crucial here. It reminds me of a Wes Anderson movie. It’s like the story is told “around the plot”, if that makes any sense. Imagine a guy at a shooting range who shoots an outline around the target. It’s an impressive feat, but you still haven’t hit the guy.
But I did get invested and that’s because the characters are very relatable. They each suffer from some form of anxiety so you get equal parts comedy and drama, which I think lots of writers miss. They write strictly one or the other. So in dramas, no one makes a joke, no one attempts to be funny. But in reality, people make jokes all the time, especially in serious situations. They’re always trying to be comedy relief because that’s the kind of person who’s likable. And that’s who all these characters are. This would make a good quirky play — there’s a strong set of characters and they all have good characterization scenes. Good for an ensemble cast.
The cover of this book says that it’s a comedy. But the problem is that, in a book, you lose the element of timing, which is CRUCIAL to telling a
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joke. A joke without timing is like a pasta salad without pasta. Also, I think some of these jokes might work better in Swedish (“How’s tricks?”) and I don’t envy the work the translator had to do. But nothing makes me laugh anyway, so don’t judge me on that.But overall, it’s a good job all around. The style of storytelling is what’s crucial here. It reminds me of a Wes Anderson movie. It’s like the story is told “around the plot”, if that makes any sense. Imagine a guy at a shooting range who shoots an outline around the target. It’s an impressive feat, but you still haven’t hit the guy.
But I did get invested and that’s because the characters are very relatable. They each suffer from some form of anxiety so you get equal parts comedy and drama, which I think lots of writers miss. They write strictly one or the other. So in dramas, no one makes a joke, no one attempts to be funny. But in reality, people make jokes all the time, especially in serious situations. They’re always trying to be comedy relief because that’s the kind of person who’s likable. And that’s who all these characters are. This would make a good quirky play — there’s a strong set of characters and they all have good characterization scenes. Good for an ensemble cast.
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LibraryThing member TooBusyReading
I'm a Fredrik Backman fan, and I thought I finally found a book of his I wasn't going to like. A very inept bank robber manages to inadvertently take the worlds worst group of hostages. The characters initially seemed shallow and silly, and the book seem farcical. I should have had more faith. Yes,
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the characters are all flawed people but they became real to me. I cheered them on, even the bank robber. Well, maybe not so much the real estate agent, “House Tricks?” This is a delightful book, made me feel a bit better about humanity, and I need that these days, and was a joy to listen to. Show Less
LibraryThing member invisiblelizard
Another solid, entertaining read by Fredrik Backman. (What are they putting in the water over in Sweden to churn out so many great authors?) Not among his greatest, in my opinion, but still quite good. I had two (and a half) minor quibbles about this book.
(1) The plot "twist" was completely
(2) The ending dragged on longer than the last 30 minutes of Return of the King (the film, I mean, not the book). So the bank robber's story wrapped up and Backman wanted to give us a little bowtie around all the other characters, too, that's fine, but it just dragged on longer than I needed it to. I would have liked to have seen those threads tied off earlier in the book and let the main story of the bank robber close out everything and cap it off. Might just be a personal preference, but going in I knew this book had 74 chapters, and when the story of the bank robber wrapped up at something like chapter 66, I thought to myself, "Oh man there is a lot left." And there was. It was good stuff, don't get me wrong. Just seemed tacked on to the end.
(And a half) This last one is a mixed bag. It's about the comedy. The interview scenes were quite funny, and I like that. I really had fun with them. But the "jokes" sometimes felt a little forced. Backman is best when he just creates real, believable characters, gives us enough information about them such that we embrace them, and then lets them react humorously to outrageous situations. For example, Ro's obsession with the limes during the hostage situation was a lot funnier than Jack's "Where's Waldo" joke during the interrogation. So while I love the humor in Fredrik's writing, sometimes, in here, I felt him reach too far.
But, again, those are minor complaints. The story was very touching, and without giving anything away, I will just say that I loved the ending (all the endings, really) and was moved by some of the sentiments he laid out there in the final pages. Great read. Quite fun. Highly recommend for any existing Backman reader. (If you've never experienced him before, start with Ove.)
(1) The plot "twist" was completely
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unnecessary. Didn't add anything to the story and just annoyed me when I got to it. A good plot twist should turn an entire story on its side and make the reader re-think everything they had just read, to the point where maybe they decide go back and re-read the entire book from this new perspective. This didn't do that at all. And I can't even guess what the purpose was supposed to be. But whatever, I'll let that go. (2) The ending dragged on longer than the last 30 minutes of Return of the King (the film, I mean, not the book). So the bank robber's story wrapped up and Backman wanted to give us a little bowtie around all the other characters, too, that's fine, but it just dragged on longer than I needed it to. I would have liked to have seen those threads tied off earlier in the book and let the main story of the bank robber close out everything and cap it off. Might just be a personal preference, but going in I knew this book had 74 chapters, and when the story of the bank robber wrapped up at something like chapter 66, I thought to myself, "Oh man there is a lot left." And there was. It was good stuff, don't get me wrong. Just seemed tacked on to the end.
(And a half) This last one is a mixed bag. It's about the comedy. The interview scenes were quite funny, and I like that. I really had fun with them. But the "jokes" sometimes felt a little forced. Backman is best when he just creates real, believable characters, gives us enough information about them such that we embrace them, and then lets them react humorously to outrageous situations. For example, Ro's obsession with the limes during the hostage situation was a lot funnier than Jack's "Where's Waldo" joke during the interrogation. So while I love the humor in Fredrik's writing, sometimes, in here, I felt him reach too far.
But, again, those are minor complaints. The story was very touching, and without giving anything away, I will just say that I loved the ending (all the endings, really) and was moved by some of the sentiments he laid out there in the final pages. Great read. Quite fun. Highly recommend for any existing Backman reader. (If you've never experienced him before, start with Ove.)
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LibraryThing member Twink
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
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.
"A bank robbery. A hostage drama." That's the opening line. And from there we 'meet' the robber, the hostages
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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.
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LibraryThing member ecataldi
I wasn't a fan of A Man Called Ove so I resisted reading this for the longest time because I didn't buy into all the hype about this one. I was totally wrong. It's beautiful, whimsical and I loved every character. It's a book about a hostage situation, idiots, and never judging someone on first
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impressions. Sometimes a hostage situation can be more than a hostage situation. When a bank robber flees a robbery gone wrong and runs into the first open door which happens to be an apartment viewing - things turn out unexpected for everyone involved. From the cops to the hostages to the bank teller and robber - sometimes the easiest explanation is the hardest. It's difficult to truly summarize this book without giving anything away but do yourself a favor and check it out - because it definitely lived up to the hype. Lots of little twists and turns that are unexpected and perfect. Show Less
LibraryThing member kimkimkim
My head hurts.
But that is often the way when you read a book about idiots.
My mind is questioning.
Now I am remembering that old Susan Hayward movie “The Heat of Anger” where playing the part of a lawyer she instructs the jury to think of anything but a blue horse and now Backman is telling us
My head almost found relief
But there are so many annoying people talking at cross points and the levity falls just a mite short and what might be humorous becomes overdone and irritating.
My pulse is racing
But that often happens to me when I readily identify with anxiety.
My eyes are watering
But that usually happens when I hit the “aw shucks” moment that is going to grab and squeeze my head and heart.
Despite the idiots, the annoying people, the irritating dialog and the buckets of anxiety the ultimate humaneness stole my heart.
But that is often the way when you read a book about idiots.
My mind is questioning.
Now I am remembering that old Susan Hayward movie “The Heat of Anger” where playing the part of a lawyer she instructs the jury to think of anything but a blue horse and now Backman is telling us
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not to think about cookies. Same ploy, different substance. My head almost found relief
But there are so many annoying people talking at cross points and the levity falls just a mite short and what might be humorous becomes overdone and irritating.
My pulse is racing
But that often happens to me when I readily identify with anxiety.
My eyes are watering
But that usually happens when I hit the “aw shucks” moment that is going to grab and squeeze my head and heart.
Despite the idiots, the annoying people, the irritating dialog and the buckets of anxiety the ultimate humaneness stole my heart.
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LibraryThing member Neale
Another quirky story, well told from Fredrik Backman. Quite a few twists along the way with this one. Laugh out loud funny in parts and very sad in others. A great read - highly recommend.
LibraryThing member drmom62
We are all Stockholmers now.
Alternately touching, humorous, insightful, scattered & stupid.
I'm writing Camus The Stranger right now and both books seem to be describing the same world. Ultimately hopeless.
If I were ready to jump off a bridge and had this book to read, I would go ahead and jump
Alternately touching, humorous, insightful, scattered & stupid.
I'm writing Camus The Stranger right now and both books seem to be describing the same world. Ultimately hopeless.
If I were ready to jump off a bridge and had this book to read, I would go ahead and jump
LibraryThing member SamSattler
There are books that you experience, and there are books that you simply read - and seldom can you predict which type you are about to begin. For me, watching Fredrik Backman’s latest novel, Anxious People, quirkily evolve from what starts out as a farce into a novel with multiple serious
The novel is so cleverly constructed that even with several little asides aimed directly at the reader, it remains difficult until relatively near the end to fully appreciate where Backman is headed. Take, for instance, these observations that Backman makes as his story progresses:
“One single bad idea. That’s all it takes.” – page 2
“This is a story about a bank robbery, an apartment viewing, and a hostage drama. But even more it’s a story about idiots. But perhaps not only that.” Page 98
“This, for instance, might not actually be the story of a bank robbery, or an apartment viewing, or a hostage drama. Perhaps it isn’t even a story about idiots.” – Page 103
“It’s harder than you think to take people hostage when they’re idiots.” – Page 122
“The truth? It’s hardly ever as complicated as we think. We just hope it is, because then we can feel smarter if we can work it out in advance. This is a story about a bridge, and idiots, and a hostage drama, and an apartment viewing. But it’s also a love story. Several, in fact.” – Page 215
What this is, is a story about a bank robbery that never took place, an anxious “bank robber” trying to find a place to hide from the police, an equally anxious and irritable bunch of strangers at an apartment open-house who accidentally become hostages, and a father-son cop duo with plenty of family anxieties of their own with which to deal. And, because this is a Fredrik Backman book, Anxious People is brilliant.
The best thing about Anxious People is Backman’s cast of characters, each of whom is gifted with the kind of personality quirks that make them individually human and memorable, something that’s become a trademark of Fredrik Backman novels. I’ve read everything of Backman’s that’s been published in the U.S., and it’s his characters that are still most vivid in my mind from the previous novels – especially the way they evolve over the length of his stories. Simply put, Backman has hit another home run.
The accidental hostages and the incompetent bank robber are not the people they at first seem to be. True, none of them appear to be particularly happy, even the two married couples there, and they obviously don’t trust each other even a little because they see the apartment viewing as some sort of weird competition to see who can negotiate the best purchase price. But now they are stuck together for hours – or who knows how long – and they are going to get to know each other better whether they want to or not. So now what?
Bottom Line: Anxious People is another in a string of Fredrik Backman winners. It’s a good story about strange, but interesting, people, and you can’t help but root for all of them along the way…even the ones who drive you a little crazy along the way.
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messages, was an experience I will not soon forget. The novel is so cleverly constructed that even with several little asides aimed directly at the reader, it remains difficult until relatively near the end to fully appreciate where Backman is headed. Take, for instance, these observations that Backman makes as his story progresses:
“One single bad idea. That’s all it takes.” – page 2
“This is a story about a bank robbery, an apartment viewing, and a hostage drama. But even more it’s a story about idiots. But perhaps not only that.” Page 98
“This, for instance, might not actually be the story of a bank robbery, or an apartment viewing, or a hostage drama. Perhaps it isn’t even a story about idiots.” – Page 103
“It’s harder than you think to take people hostage when they’re idiots.” – Page 122
“The truth? It’s hardly ever as complicated as we think. We just hope it is, because then we can feel smarter if we can work it out in advance. This is a story about a bridge, and idiots, and a hostage drama, and an apartment viewing. But it’s also a love story. Several, in fact.” – Page 215
What this is, is a story about a bank robbery that never took place, an anxious “bank robber” trying to find a place to hide from the police, an equally anxious and irritable bunch of strangers at an apartment open-house who accidentally become hostages, and a father-son cop duo with plenty of family anxieties of their own with which to deal. And, because this is a Fredrik Backman book, Anxious People is brilliant.
The best thing about Anxious People is Backman’s cast of characters, each of whom is gifted with the kind of personality quirks that make them individually human and memorable, something that’s become a trademark of Fredrik Backman novels. I’ve read everything of Backman’s that’s been published in the U.S., and it’s his characters that are still most vivid in my mind from the previous novels – especially the way they evolve over the length of his stories. Simply put, Backman has hit another home run.
The accidental hostages and the incompetent bank robber are not the people they at first seem to be. True, none of them appear to be particularly happy, even the two married couples there, and they obviously don’t trust each other even a little because they see the apartment viewing as some sort of weird competition to see who can negotiate the best purchase price. But now they are stuck together for hours – or who knows how long – and they are going to get to know each other better whether they want to or not. So now what?
Bottom Line: Anxious People is another in a string of Fredrik Backman winners. It’s a good story about strange, but interesting, people, and you can’t help but root for all of them along the way…even the ones who drive you a little crazy along the way.
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LibraryThing member John_Warner
The author summarizes this book fairly well: "This is a story about a bank robbery, an apartment viewing, and a hostage drama. But even more it's a story about idiots. But perhaps not only that." (p. 98)
It is also a story of a bridge which can be viewed from that same apartment; a bridge which is
Initially, I wondered why so many idiots as demonstrated by police interview transcripts are collected among the hostages. However, as the novel progresses, I understood. Characters, one initially dislikes at the beginning of the book become those the reader applauds. I was also surprised when my preconceived notions were exposed. I enjoyed watching how the novel's characters who find themselves difficult navigating life become better people at the end.
It is also a story of a bridge which can be viewed from that same apartment; a bridge which is
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an integral part for several of the individuals involved in the hostage situation because of a past jumping suicide and attempted suicide. Initially, I wondered why so many idiots as demonstrated by police interview transcripts are collected among the hostages. However, as the novel progresses, I understood. Characters, one initially dislikes at the beginning of the book become those the reader applauds. I was also surprised when my preconceived notions were exposed. I enjoyed watching how the novel's characters who find themselves difficult navigating life become better people at the end.
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LibraryThing member ZoharLaor
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman (translated by Neil Smith) is a crime comedy about eight strangers in a hostage situation, taking place in a small Swedish town. Mr. Backman is prolific, award winning, writer from Sweden.
In a small Swedish town, a bank robbery has taken place. The bank robber is,
The small town’s two cops arrive the scene, they are father and son and have to deal with the circus they did not want. Through post even interviews, flashbacks, and history of the hostages the police is trying to weave together what exactly happened.
I knew I was going to like this book from the first line: “This story is about a lot of things, but mostly about idiots”. That’s actually not true, I’ve read several of Mr. Backman’s works and liked them all so I knew there would be a good chanced I’d like this.
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman is another story taking place in a small Swedish town, where residents could live a peaceful life, unknowingly interacting and changing one another lives forever. I always enjoy the author’s heartwarming story, told with sarcastic wit and quirky, seemingly unrelated events which come together at the end.
Mr. Backman understands human relationships, anxieties and emotions. He knows how to write about them and how to squeeze them so the reader will be able to feel, or at least understand them. In this book the relationships between total strangers who got into a bad situation just amplifies everything involved.
This is a quirky, funny book with a big heart. It does takes a few pages to get used to the author’s writing style and narrative. When telling the story his style is choppy, short sentences to make a point. Dialogue, of course is a different story altogether especially when the characters are interacting.
Even though the book follows the lives of several people, the tone is still very intimate, the quirks, jokes and sarcasm only enhance the sense of loneliness many of them feel, even though they are together with others. The topics the author explores are heavy, but he does so with delicacy and sensitivity which comes across even in a translated form (kudos Mr. Smith).
In a small Swedish town, a bank robbery has taken place. The bank robber is,
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obviously, not a professional for trying to rob a cashless bank. The robber stumbles into a showing for an apartment, on New Year’s Eve no less, and accidentally turns the incident into a hostage situation.The small town’s two cops arrive the scene, they are father and son and have to deal with the circus they did not want. Through post even interviews, flashbacks, and history of the hostages the police is trying to weave together what exactly happened.
I knew I was going to like this book from the first line: “This story is about a lot of things, but mostly about idiots”. That’s actually not true, I’ve read several of Mr. Backman’s works and liked them all so I knew there would be a good chanced I’d like this.
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman is another story taking place in a small Swedish town, where residents could live a peaceful life, unknowingly interacting and changing one another lives forever. I always enjoy the author’s heartwarming story, told with sarcastic wit and quirky, seemingly unrelated events which come together at the end.
Mr. Backman understands human relationships, anxieties and emotions. He knows how to write about them and how to squeeze them so the reader will be able to feel, or at least understand them. In this book the relationships between total strangers who got into a bad situation just amplifies everything involved.
This is a quirky, funny book with a big heart. It does takes a few pages to get used to the author’s writing style and narrative. When telling the story his style is choppy, short sentences to make a point. Dialogue, of course is a different story altogether especially when the characters are interacting.
Even though the book follows the lives of several people, the tone is still very intimate, the quirks, jokes and sarcasm only enhance the sense of loneliness many of them feel, even though they are together with others. The topics the author explores are heavy, but he does so with delicacy and sensitivity which comes across even in a translated form (kudos Mr. Smith).
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LibraryThing member Loried
I was delighted to get the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book as I have read and loved all the author's previous books. This one ranks as one of his best. Backman's books are quite diverse genres; this one has the most humor, which I particularly appreciated. The style of the book was
I loved the complex characters and relationships, and I appreciated the observations on contemporary life. I also enjoyed the mystery of the book and its resolution. As much as I adored the humor and sarcasm in the book, the serious issues raised in the book were also handled beautifully. There is a lot of substance to the book which would make it a wonderful choice for book discussion groups. This is one of my favorite books of the year, and I highly recommend it.
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very clever, and I liked that my assumptions were often wrong. I may need to read the whole thing again knowing the ending, and I usually don't want to spend the time to do that with a big backlog of reading.I loved the complex characters and relationships, and I appreciated the observations on contemporary life. I also enjoyed the mystery of the book and its resolution. As much as I adored the humor and sarcasm in the book, the serious issues raised in the book were also handled beautifully. There is a lot of substance to the book which would make it a wonderful choice for book discussion groups. This is one of my favorite books of the year, and I highly recommend it.
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LibraryThing member mzonderm
One day someone decides to rob a band. The bank in question, however, is a cashless bank, which makes robbing it kind of pointless. Flustered, the bank robber runs across the street and into an apartment building. The first open door is an apartment where there's an open house, so the bank robber
First, this is not a riddle. It's the plot of Frederik Backman's new book, and his hands, this story is funny, touching, sad, and generally un-put-downable.
Second, lest you be like me, hear "hostage situation" and think Bel Canto, be warned: this book is not like Bel Canto. It's just as good (Backman and Patchett are two of my absolute favorite authors), but the tone is very different, as is the story itself.
Told in shifting perspectives of the bank robber, various hostages, and two police officers, we get the unfolding story of the investigation in the bank robber's whereabouts, the story of the incident itself, and the backstory of some of the hostages. Put together, it forms a beautiful tapestry of love, loneliness, and hope.
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accidentally takes everyone there hostage. The hostage situation is resolved with no loss of life, but the bank robber is nowhere to be found. What happened to the bank robber?First, this is not a riddle. It's the plot of Frederik Backman's new book, and his hands, this story is funny, touching, sad, and generally un-put-downable.
Second, lest you be like me, hear "hostage situation" and think Bel Canto, be warned: this book is not like Bel Canto. It's just as good (Backman and Patchett are two of my absolute favorite authors), but the tone is very different, as is the story itself.
Told in shifting perspectives of the bank robber, various hostages, and two police officers, we get the unfolding story of the investigation in the bank robber's whereabouts, the story of the incident itself, and the backstory of some of the hostages. Put together, it forms a beautiful tapestry of love, loneliness, and hope.
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LibraryThing member shelleyraec
I don’t know how it is that Fredrik Backman can write such wildly divergent stories with unique characters that nevertheless have all managed to make me both laugh and cry. Backman’s debut novel, A Man Called Ove was a favourite book in 2014, and My Grandmother Asked me to Tell You She’s
“This is a story about a bank robbery, an apartment viewing, and a hostage drama. But even more it’s a story about idiots. But perhaps not only that.”
Definitely not ‘only that’. Backman later adds this is also a story about bridges, rabbits, and love, about all of us doing the best we can, but really, truly, Anxious People is a story about humanity.
Life is messy, sometimes we make mistakes. In Anxious People, the bank robber’s first mistake is trying to rob a bank, and the second is (unintentionally) taking a bunch of people in an apartment hostage, though perhaps, as things go, that was not a mistake as such.
“The bank robber looked at each of them in turn for a long time. Then... whispered gratefully: “Worst hostages ever.”
The hostages are a motley, quirky collection of characters that initially perhaps present as irritating idiots but whom, by the time they are released, are endearing idiots, much as our first impression of the bank robber is of a dangerous idiot, but in the end is simply an overwhelmed idiot.
“They may not have had much in common, but they all knew what it was like to make a mistake.”
Anxious People is both wise and insightful, absurd and poignant. It explores a variety of themes including desperation, grief, compassion, relationships, capitalism, regret, connection and hope. It raises issues like divorce, parenting, religion, and suicide.
“We do our best. We save those we can.”
Anxious People is a comedy, a tragedy, a mystery and a wonderfully told story.
“The truth? The truth about all this? The truth is that this was a story about many different things...”
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Sorry in 2015. Anxious People may well be a favourite of 2020.“This is a story about a bank robbery, an apartment viewing, and a hostage drama. But even more it’s a story about idiots. But perhaps not only that.”
Definitely not ‘only that’. Backman later adds this is also a story about bridges, rabbits, and love, about all of us doing the best we can, but really, truly, Anxious People is a story about humanity.
Life is messy, sometimes we make mistakes. In Anxious People, the bank robber’s first mistake is trying to rob a bank, and the second is (unintentionally) taking a bunch of people in an apartment hostage, though perhaps, as things go, that was not a mistake as such.
“The bank robber looked at each of them in turn for a long time. Then... whispered gratefully: “Worst hostages ever.”
The hostages are a motley, quirky collection of characters that initially perhaps present as irritating idiots but whom, by the time they are released, are endearing idiots, much as our first impression of the bank robber is of a dangerous idiot, but in the end is simply an overwhelmed idiot.
“They may not have had much in common, but they all knew what it was like to make a mistake.”
Anxious People is both wise and insightful, absurd and poignant. It explores a variety of themes including desperation, grief, compassion, relationships, capitalism, regret, connection and hope. It raises issues like divorce, parenting, religion, and suicide.
“We do our best. We save those we can.”
Anxious People is a comedy, a tragedy, a mystery and a wonderfully told story.
“The truth? The truth about all this? The truth is that this was a story about many different things...”
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LibraryThing member brangwinn
Backman’s latest book reminds me of doing macramé. At first, its just a lot of individual pieces of string you are trying to get into a pattern of order, except that it doesn’t always make sense until you finish the last knot. So it is with Anxious People, a bunch of people are thrown together
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at an apartment showing in a small Swedish city, only to be kept there by an inept bank robber. Meanwhile, you, the reader is going back and forth in time, trying to make sense of what goes on. I struggled with the book until I got to the part where the older policeman is having to google “what to do in a hostage situation”, and with one guffaw of laughter, I got it. The story didn’t have to make a lot of sense, until the end, when you discover that the book is about love and caring for one another. Hang in there, just like you did with that goofy piece of macramé, at the end you’re not only going to really care about everyone but you’re going to be so glad you got to share this part of their lives. And you’re going to go “This is one of the most clever, witty books I’ve ever read” and maybe you’ll turn that feeling into something positive by helping someone who is struggling with depression. Show Less
LibraryThing member oddandbookish
I received an ARC of this book for free from the publisher (Atria Books) in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first book by Fredrik Backman and I was not disappointed. I didn’t have any expectations going in and this book ended up taking me for a ride. There were a lot of twists and
The author’s insights into the human condition are so insightful. He really delves into the choices people make and what motivates them. He has a talent of saying so many poignant things in such an effortless way. I can definitely see why so many people love his books.
The cast of characters were probably the best part of the book. They were idiots, but lovable idiots. I don’t have a favorite because I loved them all. They all had something about them that I found compelling.
I loved how the story all came together. There are a lot of little random things that get mentioned, especially in the beginning, that you don’t quite know what to do with yet. But by the end, it all makes sense and there is that a-ha moment where everything falls into place.
Overall, this book lives up to all the hype!
This was my first book by Fredrik Backman and I was not disappointed. I didn’t have any expectations going in and this book ended up taking me for a ride. There were a lot of twists and
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turns that I did not see coming. I didn’t know that this book was a little bit of a mystery so I ended up being pleasantly surprised. The author’s insights into the human condition are so insightful. He really delves into the choices people make and what motivates them. He has a talent of saying so many poignant things in such an effortless way. I can definitely see why so many people love his books.
The cast of characters were probably the best part of the book. They were idiots, but lovable idiots. I don’t have a favorite because I loved them all. They all had something about them that I found compelling.
I loved how the story all came together. There are a lot of little random things that get mentioned, especially in the beginning, that you don’t quite know what to do with yet. But by the end, it all makes sense and there is that a-ha moment where everything falls into place.
Overall, this book lives up to all the hype!
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LibraryThing member susan.h.schofield
I love Fredrik Backman's books and had very high expectations for Anxious People. I was so happy it lived up to my expectations - it made me laugh, warmed my heart and made me cry. I loved all the characters - they were all very real and relatable. I highly recommend this book.
LibraryThing member novelcommentary
Fredrick Backman's latest novel, Anxious People, is a pleasant examination of a group of people thrown together as hostages for a hapless bank robber whose failed attempt at a cashless bank leads to an escape into a viewing for an open apartment. Since there's a gun they assume they are hostages
While reviewing the lines that I highlighted throughout the novel, I liked the book even more. Some are listed below to provide a sample. Highly recommend.
The real estate agent takes a deep breath and says what women usually say to men who never seem to think that their lack of knowledge should get in the way of a confident opinion. “I’m sure you’re right.”
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
The truth of course is that if people really were as happy as they look on the Internet, they wouldn’t spend so much damn time on the Internet, because no one who’s having a really good day spends half of it taking pictures of themselves. Anyone can nurture a myth about their life if they have enough manure, so if the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, that’s probably because it’s full of sh*t.
You can always tell by the way people who love each other argue: the longer they’ve been together, the fewer words they need to start a fight.
“Sorry. I talk too much. Jules is always saying that. She says I’m so positive that it makes people depressed. That I always think the glass is half full when there’s just enough to drown yourself in, and—”
Have you ever held a three-year-old by the hand on the way home from preschool?” “No.” “You’re never more important than you are then.”
Her idea of hell was a never-ending buffet with her stuck in the queue behind someone who had a cold.
If anyone asked her to sum up her view of the world, she always quoted Martin Luther: “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.”
Nothing is easier for people who never do anything themselves than to criticize someone who actually makes an effort.
His mom realized, of course, that her son was shouting out of fear and concern, so she replied the way she often did: “Boats that stay in the harbor are safe, sweetheart, but that’s not what boats were built for.”
There’s something romantic about the thought of all the apartments that aren’t for sale.”
Julia and Ro will argue, then make up, and all you have to do is make sure you’re better at the latter than the former.
......
If you've taken the time to read a few of these lines, you're probably smiling. That's not a bad thing. That's why your read Fredrick Backman.
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and so the tale begins. We then go on to meet two couples, a well to do bank manager, an elderly women and a man dressed in a rabbit head. In addition there is a father -son police team trying to solve the case before the dreaded Stockholm investigators take it over. Backman provides his usual mix of humor and philosophy and does a nice job of plotting some intriguing twists and connections in the telling of the story. This is the fourth novel I've read of his and I have always enjoyed his development of characters. What may seem like a humorous version of Bell Canto, turns into a poignant tale of compassion and empathy. While reviewing the lines that I highlighted throughout the novel, I liked the book even more. Some are listed below to provide a sample. Highly recommend.
The real estate agent takes a deep breath and says what women usually say to men who never seem to think that their lack of knowledge should get in the way of a confident opinion. “I’m sure you’re right.”
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
The truth of course is that if people really were as happy as they look on the Internet, they wouldn’t spend so much damn time on the Internet, because no one who’s having a really good day spends half of it taking pictures of themselves. Anyone can nurture a myth about their life if they have enough manure, so if the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, that’s probably because it’s full of sh*t.
You can always tell by the way people who love each other argue: the longer they’ve been together, the fewer words they need to start a fight.
“Sorry. I talk too much. Jules is always saying that. She says I’m so positive that it makes people depressed. That I always think the glass is half full when there’s just enough to drown yourself in, and—”
Have you ever held a three-year-old by the hand on the way home from preschool?” “No.” “You’re never more important than you are then.”
Her idea of hell was a never-ending buffet with her stuck in the queue behind someone who had a cold.
If anyone asked her to sum up her view of the world, she always quoted Martin Luther: “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.”
Nothing is easier for people who never do anything themselves than to criticize someone who actually makes an effort.
His mom realized, of course, that her son was shouting out of fear and concern, so she replied the way she often did: “Boats that stay in the harbor are safe, sweetheart, but that’s not what boats were built for.”
There’s something romantic about the thought of all the apartments that aren’t for sale.”
Julia and Ro will argue, then make up, and all you have to do is make sure you’re better at the latter than the former.
......
If you've taken the time to read a few of these lines, you're probably smiling. That's not a bad thing. That's why your read Fredrick Backman.
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LibraryThing member Gingersnap000
Another witty, well-written novel by Fredrik Backman where the reader will cry, laugh, and ponder how the book will end. The story can be quite confusing but the story is very character-driven. Someone, like myself, who has been anxious all their life will be intrigued by the therapist's
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explanation. Show Less
LibraryThing member mrstreme
During the first half of this book, I kept thinking it should be renamed "Miserable People." These characters were a miserable lot. I did not like them. I was not rooting for them. And I almost put the book down.
But, I didn't. And I am so glad I pressed on.
I do not want to give away any spoilers,
You've heard the expression "there's a method to the madness"?
Well, that's definitely the case for Anxious People. There's a reason for the misery, the anxiety, the "idiocy." Stick with this book and prepare to be delighted.
One final thought: Fredrik Backman is a gifted storyteller. Wow, can he write! This is my first book of his, but definitely not my last.
But, I didn't. And I am so glad I pressed on.
I do not want to give away any spoilers,
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but there was a critical turning point, for me, regarding the bank robber who was holding these people hostage. The bank robber was not what it first seemed. And with this realization, the puzzle pieces of this story began to fit together - quite beautifully.You've heard the expression "there's a method to the madness"?
Well, that's definitely the case for Anxious People. There's a reason for the misery, the anxiety, the "idiocy." Stick with this book and prepare to be delighted.
One final thought: Fredrik Backman is a gifted storyteller. Wow, can he write! This is my first book of his, but definitely not my last.
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LibraryThing member coffeefairy
I love Fredrik Backman's writing so much. His character creation is top notch and the way his characters unfold is so beautiful. Before I'd even finished the book, I had the feeling that I wanted to go right back and start it over again.
And that's just what I did!
I added this book to my "Banish
And that's just what I did!
I added this book to my "Banish
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the Stigma" shelf because it touches upon mental illness, which I really appreciate. Seeing yourself in a book is a blessing. It makes you feel less alone. It's also rare that I see a character who has OCD, and anxiety is often misunderstood. Backman treats it beautifully, allowing us to see into people's lives and hearts. That is his best quality as a writer, I think - he portrays humanity in all its glory and despair, its misery and joy. He shows, not just tells. My life has changed for the better because of Backman's books. Show Less
LibraryThing member Carol420
I thought when I finished chapter 2 that I had something that I had never had before…a boring novel by Fredrick Backman…the creator of A Man Called Ove. Since I am a persistent reader...or just doesn’t have the sense to stop reading and admit defeat...I just doggedly plow right through and
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read every last word... determined to the end whatever the outcome. I soon began to see the book is entirely satire and good natured ridicule at it’s very, very best. It was simply so incredibly off the wall that you couldn’t put it down. I chuckled through each chapter there after. It was just so ridiculous…the situations these poor people found themselves in that I had to see how in the world it was going to turn out. I learned along the way that not everyone…actually it seems the entire country of Sweden...neither likes...nor has any respect...for anyone that lives in Stockholm. Doesn't matter that it's their capital...it appears that the word ”Stockholmer”... which is used often here…is evidently the word that the rest of the Swedes substitute for “idiot”. Why is this???? I have no idea. The poor police officers were just to be pitted and the witnesses were all next to useless but did provide lots of comic relief. Somehow it all just came together to make a delightful tale about an apartment showing…a bank robbery that wasn’t a bank robbery…a bank robber that had no idea of bank robbing "etiquette"…(yes...I guess there is such a thing)…two police officers that are considering different occupations that don’t require them to ever have to deal with witnesses like these again…and a man with his head stuck firmly in a giant rabbit head. I believe the short summary of this story is that sometimes a good person can just make a very bad decision….and it only takes one time. I’m glad I didn’t make a "bad decision" and was persistent to the end. Excellent, Mr. Backman! Show Less
LibraryThing member thewanderingjew
Anxious People, Fredrik Backman, author
Fredrik Backman has a unique gift. He knows how to bring out the best and worst traits of a human being with insights that are disclosed with such a light touch, that at first, the reader doesn’t realize how profound his message has really become. This novel
When the book begins, the reader learns of a suicide which leaves deep scars on a child witness who, they he tried desperately, he could not save the victim. Over the next decade, that child harbors disappointment in himself for his failure. His life is guided by that incident more than any other. As the child of a non-traditional priest, his mother, and a police officer in a town that needs few police officers, his father, he chooses to go into law enforcement too. Like them, he is motivated by a need to help others; the scar on his memory from the night of the suicide has a great influence on his decision.
Now grown, around 20 years old, he is working on a case with his dad. There has been an attempted bank robbery in their small town at a cashless bank which seems to be a ridiculous idea. The robber, who was desperate for a small amount of money for his rent, has failed to get any because there was none to be had. What kind of a bank robber is this? The robber fled and entered an apartment where there was a real estate open house and takes the house hunters hostage, mainly because they assume that was what the robber intended. The robber had a pistol in his hand. Like the bank, most of these people were cashless too!
When the hostage crisis ends, after some time, although there is no way for the robber to have gotten away, somehow the robber disappears. During the course of the interviews of each of the hostages, the reader is introduced to each character, complete with every possible idiosyncratic trait a human being can exhibit. Each character is explored so insightfully, that the reader will recognize something of each in someone they know, quite possibly themselves. Each of the hostages actively spars with the two officers, and the officers try to maintain their patience as they search out facts. None of them is perfect, you see. The subtle humor is everywhere as they reply glibly and sarcastically to the policemen.
Every angle of society’s ills today is explored with brilliance. Although suicide and the inability for someone to prevent it sometimes, and the desire to prevent it going forward is a major theme in the book, other themes like homophobia, poverty, divorce, crime, drugs, parent/child relationships, spousal relationships, honesty, secrets, fidelity, insecurity, and more are delved into and explored with such a light and gentle hand, that each subject emerges whole and healthy after it is exposed and dissected. In truth, it is a tender, if quirky and corny story sometimes. It works well as it highlights our present day problems and explores ways to understand and deal with them with kindness, compassion, warmth, intelligence and common sense, qualities so absent today in our current political environment, even now in the midst of the most dire circumstances with a President suffering from an illness that kills with abandon.
As the father and son interview the hostages, each and every one of them reveals their own flaws and hostilities and emerges happier and more content. Each learns to accept others with their warts and foibles, and each learns to genuinely care for each other, as well. Everyone makes mistakes. Forgiveness is the lifeblood of relationships. Abandoning someone in need is never an option, nor is cruelty. Finding the power to be courageous and give someone another chance is a gift they all receive as they interact with each other under duress. Each of the characters has something in common; each has had a trauma in their lives that left a permanent, indelible mark. As Backman lays them bare, they grow before the reader’s eyes into real human beings. They learn that although it may seem that there is no light at the end of the tunnel, if tomorrow comes, there just might well be. The idea is to face it and deal with it, not to run from it.
Because of the missing robber, and the two policemen, I wondered if the idea of a Holy Trinity was at work here? For the author, were the father (Jim), the son (Jack), and the holy ghost of suicide victims and other missing loved a symbol of that trio? For the hostages, loneliness, and on some level, the need to feel that there was something out there bigger than ourselves, unseen, not necessarily religion, but ideas like love, compassion and the support of others that can come to us in a variety of ways to help us weather any storm, if only we were willing to let that help in, in whatever form it might take, loomed large as a choice. Confession was monumentally important to free them, not only from the hostage situation, but from a life that felt as if it was a deadend.
Backman has a gift. He makes the extraordinary sound ordinary. With simple sentences that express absolute clarity, he is totally intuitive when it comes to human need, and he expresses it so naturally that the reader doesn’t realize the deep meaning of each sentence until they have moved on a bit, and then, they might turn back and reread a passage that remained in their mind as more than the sum of its parts. Each of his characters comes to life and can be visualized by the reader in appearance and personality, as if they were real. Backman has exposed the underbelly of all society’s ills and tried to cure them. Does he make it? I think so. By emphasizing the positive, by creating characters with alternate lifestyles and personalities, some being more likable than others, Backman leaves the readers possibly willing to try to change their own behavior for the better, to try and interact more successfully and positively with others.
Life is often filled with mistaken perceptions, incorrect knee jerk conclusions, over the top reactions and poor judgment, but it isn’t the end of the world. There is always a tomorrow and things can get better. There is always hope.
Fredrik Backman has a unique gift. He knows how to bring out the best and worst traits of a human being with insights that are disclosed with such a light touch, that at first, the reader doesn’t realize how profound his message has really become. This novel
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takes place in Sweden. Because of some of the acknowledgements in the back of the book, it would appear that some of it is based on the biographical material of someone he knows or something that happens in his own life.When the book begins, the reader learns of a suicide which leaves deep scars on a child witness who, they he tried desperately, he could not save the victim. Over the next decade, that child harbors disappointment in himself for his failure. His life is guided by that incident more than any other. As the child of a non-traditional priest, his mother, and a police officer in a town that needs few police officers, his father, he chooses to go into law enforcement too. Like them, he is motivated by a need to help others; the scar on his memory from the night of the suicide has a great influence on his decision.
Now grown, around 20 years old, he is working on a case with his dad. There has been an attempted bank robbery in their small town at a cashless bank which seems to be a ridiculous idea. The robber, who was desperate for a small amount of money for his rent, has failed to get any because there was none to be had. What kind of a bank robber is this? The robber fled and entered an apartment where there was a real estate open house and takes the house hunters hostage, mainly because they assume that was what the robber intended. The robber had a pistol in his hand. Like the bank, most of these people were cashless too!
When the hostage crisis ends, after some time, although there is no way for the robber to have gotten away, somehow the robber disappears. During the course of the interviews of each of the hostages, the reader is introduced to each character, complete with every possible idiosyncratic trait a human being can exhibit. Each character is explored so insightfully, that the reader will recognize something of each in someone they know, quite possibly themselves. Each of the hostages actively spars with the two officers, and the officers try to maintain their patience as they search out facts. None of them is perfect, you see. The subtle humor is everywhere as they reply glibly and sarcastically to the policemen.
Every angle of society’s ills today is explored with brilliance. Although suicide and the inability for someone to prevent it sometimes, and the desire to prevent it going forward is a major theme in the book, other themes like homophobia, poverty, divorce, crime, drugs, parent/child relationships, spousal relationships, honesty, secrets, fidelity, insecurity, and more are delved into and explored with such a light and gentle hand, that each subject emerges whole and healthy after it is exposed and dissected. In truth, it is a tender, if quirky and corny story sometimes. It works well as it highlights our present day problems and explores ways to understand and deal with them with kindness, compassion, warmth, intelligence and common sense, qualities so absent today in our current political environment, even now in the midst of the most dire circumstances with a President suffering from an illness that kills with abandon.
As the father and son interview the hostages, each and every one of them reveals their own flaws and hostilities and emerges happier and more content. Each learns to accept others with their warts and foibles, and each learns to genuinely care for each other, as well. Everyone makes mistakes. Forgiveness is the lifeblood of relationships. Abandoning someone in need is never an option, nor is cruelty. Finding the power to be courageous and give someone another chance is a gift they all receive as they interact with each other under duress. Each of the characters has something in common; each has had a trauma in their lives that left a permanent, indelible mark. As Backman lays them bare, they grow before the reader’s eyes into real human beings. They learn that although it may seem that there is no light at the end of the tunnel, if tomorrow comes, there just might well be. The idea is to face it and deal with it, not to run from it.
Because of the missing robber, and the two policemen, I wondered if the idea of a Holy Trinity was at work here? For the author, were the father (Jim), the son (Jack), and the holy ghost of suicide victims and other missing loved a symbol of that trio? For the hostages, loneliness, and on some level, the need to feel that there was something out there bigger than ourselves, unseen, not necessarily religion, but ideas like love, compassion and the support of others that can come to us in a variety of ways to help us weather any storm, if only we were willing to let that help in, in whatever form it might take, loomed large as a choice. Confession was monumentally important to free them, not only from the hostage situation, but from a life that felt as if it was a deadend.
Backman has a gift. He makes the extraordinary sound ordinary. With simple sentences that express absolute clarity, he is totally intuitive when it comes to human need, and he expresses it so naturally that the reader doesn’t realize the deep meaning of each sentence until they have moved on a bit, and then, they might turn back and reread a passage that remained in their mind as more than the sum of its parts. Each of his characters comes to life and can be visualized by the reader in appearance and personality, as if they were real. Backman has exposed the underbelly of all society’s ills and tried to cure them. Does he make it? I think so. By emphasizing the positive, by creating characters with alternate lifestyles and personalities, some being more likable than others, Backman leaves the readers possibly willing to try to change their own behavior for the better, to try and interact more successfully and positively with others.
Life is often filled with mistaken perceptions, incorrect knee jerk conclusions, over the top reactions and poor judgment, but it isn’t the end of the world. There is always a tomorrow and things can get better. There is always hope.
Show Less
LibraryThing member nyiper
I am so impressed with the puzzle of this book!! How did Backman ever construct this so that the pieces all fit together so beautifully?? it was truly a maze of major proportions to get to the ending!! Really an amazing story full of what turns out to be a delightful collection of characters.
LibraryThing member LDVoorberg
Hilarious, depressing, sappy, zany. Oh so many truths. Truth the way comedians point out things about our lives that we all know but they (the comedians) make us aware of. The first bit of the book, bang-on observations and it's funny. Then there is a part that goes super serious. I had trouble
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reading it. So I put the book down and came back the next day and the plot pulled back from the darkness. It never got that dark again, but you always remember it's lurking there, and that is good enough. So it's a serious book with a solid layer of comedy and realism and romance to help read through it. It is scattered, too. First it is a look at life, then it is a police story, then it is a drama, then self-help, then mystery, then romance, then fairy tale. But always it has Backman's quirky and very readable writing style (hats off to Neil Smith for what I assume is a great translation) with quirky lovable characters. Worth reading (before you hear about the plot!) Show Less
ISBN
1501160834 / 9781501160837