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An instant #1 New York Times bestseller, the new novel from the author of A Man Called Ove is a “quirky, big-hearted novel….Wry, wise and often laugh-out-loud funny, it’s a wholly original story that delivers pure pleasure” (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. 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. 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. 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.

Anxious People: A Novel by Fredrik Backman is a heartwarming and humorous story about a bank heist gone wrong. It follows an anxious bank robber who takes a group of people hostage in an apartment during an open house. The diverse group of hostages includes a pregnant woman, an elderly couple, a suicidal millionaire, and a real estate agent. As the police surround the building, the hostages and the robber form unexpected bonds and learn more about themselves than they ever thought possible.

The Characters:

• Jack: A depressed bank robber who is trying to rob a bank to support his sick daughter.
• Julia: A pregnant woman who is trying to escape her unhappy marriage.
• Roger and Anna-Lena: An elderly couple who are struggling with their declining health.
• Zara: A suicidal millionaire who is trying to find meaning in her life.
• Fredrik: A real estate agent who is trying to sell the apartment where the hostages are being held.

The Plot:

When Jack attempts to rob a bank, he is surprised to find that it is closed for an open house. He takes the bank employees and a few customers hostage and barricades himself in an apartment. The police arrive and surround the building, but Jack refuses to surrender. As the standoff continues, the hostages and Jack begin to form unexpected bonds. They share their stories, their fears, and their dreams. They learn more about themselves and each other than they ever thought possible.

The Writing:

Fredrik Backman's writing is warm, humorous, and insightful. He has a gift for creating characters that are both relatable and unforgettable. The dialogue in Anxious People is sharp and witty, and the plot is suspenseful and engaging. Backman's writing is sure to keep you entertained from beginning to end.

The Themes:

Anxious People explores a number of important themes, including:

• The power of human connection.
• The importance of forgiveness.
• The search for meaning in life.
• The resilience of the human spirit.

The Conclusion:

Anxious People is a heartwarming and humorous story about the power of human connection. It is a story that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.