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 anxious times.
Anxious People: A Novel by Fredrik Backman is a heartwarming and humorous story about a group of anxious people who find themselves in a hostage situation. The novel delves into the complexities of human relationships, mental health, and the power of community. It follows the story of a bank robber who, in a moment of panic, takes a group of people hostage in an apartment. As the hours pass, the robber and the hostages begin to connect on a deeper level, sharing their fears, anxieties, and dreams. Through these connections, they find a sense of belonging and a way to overcome their individual struggles.
Backman's writing is both insightful and entertaining. He has a knack for creating characters who are both relatable and lovable. The novel is full of quirky and memorable characters, each with their own unique perspective on life. Backman also does an excellent job of capturing the nuances of human relationships. He shows how even the most unlikely people can find common ground and connect with each other.
Anxious People is a thought-provoking and heartwarming novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. It is a story about the importance of human connection and the power of community. It is a story that will make you laugh, cry, and think about the world in a new way.
Here are some additional thoughts on the novel:
- The novel is a great exploration of mental health. It shows how anxiety and other mental health issues can affect people's lives in different ways.
- The novel is also a celebration of diversity. It features a cast of characters from all walks of life, each with their own unique stories and experiences.
- The novel is ultimately a hopeful story. It shows how even in the darkest of times, people can find hope and connection.
If you're looking for a thought-provoking and heartwarming novel, I highly recommend Anxious People. It's a book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.
