Anxious People - Fredrik Backman

Anxious People

By Fredrik Backman

  • Release Date: 2020-09-08
  • Genre: Literary Fiction
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 4,742 Ratings

Description

Soon to be a major motion picture!

This instant #1 New York Times bestseller about a crime that never takes 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 is a “wry, wise, and often laugh-out-loud funny” (People).

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. 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. In short, they are the worst group of hostages in the world.

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.

Proving once again that Backman is “a master of writing delightful, insightful, soulful, character-driven narratives” (USA TODAY), Anxious People “captures the messy essence of being human….It’s clever and affecting, as likely to make you laugh out loud as it is to make you cry” (The Washington Post). This “endlessly entertaining mood-booster” (Real Simple) is proof that the enduring power of friendship, forgiveness, and hope can save us—even in the most anxious of times.

Reviews

  • Not as good as A man called Ove

    2
    By mimorsd
    This book is probably good for people who like heartwarming stories. I stopped reading about 20% into the book, did not have patience for the characters.
  • Page Turner

    5
    By trying tk brrak the cycle
    This book took me on an insightful adventure! Page turner and just makes you think!
  • Loved it!!

    5
    By Shivouske
    I love this author’s writing style. His stories are written with each character being important and somehow Interconnected. By the end of his stories, you feel like you know the characters intimately, almost like a close friend. I love all his books but this book I’m unique with the amount of humor imbedded in it. It’s funny, sad, hopeful and inspiring with many pearls of wisdom spread throughout. Highly recommend!!
  • Beautiful Backman

    5
    By BigAppleGreg
    Just a beautiful, captivating story that only ‘Stockholmers’ would understand…. The fabric of life is complicated and when it comes together, there is magic. My second Backman read, and just totally thrilled - makes you want to be a better person.
  • Interesting and Fun

    4
    By Mcb717
    There were so many twists and turns to this book…and somehow at the end it all comes n together. I’m not sure this would happen in real life, but wouldn’t it be wonderful if it did….
  • Absolutely amazing

    5
    By Molly_.s
    Truly shifts your perspective; 100% a must read
  • My favorite book ever

    5
    By Darica123
    I can’t explain why I love this book. I just do. And you will too.
  • It was ok

    3
    By AGReko
    Slow start but good character development. For the translators/editors: in English, the correct grammar is “did you use to”, not “did you used to”. This error is repeated throughout the book
  • I’m not crying… you’re crying

    5
    By Crusader 333333
    This book is exactly what I needed at this time. Fredrik Backman has a way of seeing straight into the heart of humanity. Anxious People is funny, chaotic, a little absurd but at its core, it’s a beautiful reminder that everyone is just doing their best. The characters are messy, flawed, and completely relatable. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll probably hug the book when you’re done, like I did. Backman gently shows us that kindness, understanding, and connection are more powerful than we realize. We never really know what someone else is carrying. We’re all a little messy, a little lost, and a lot more connected than we think. So just… be kind.
  • Anxious People

    5
    By NoBrainerToMe
    Simply brilliant