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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

In the quaint town of Beartown, a cast of quirky characters finds themselves entangled in a hilarious and heartwarming story of friendship, love, and the unexpected power of art. At the center of it all is an anxious bank robber who, in a moment of desperation, takes eight people hostage during an open house. As the police surround the building and the situation spins out of control, the hostages and the robber form an unlikely bond, learning more about themselves and each other in the process.

With his signature blend of humor, empathy, and insightful storytelling, Fredrik Backman weaves together the lives of these characters, exploring the complexities of human relationships and the ways in which we can find connection and hope in the strangest of places. Anxious People is a celebration of the human spirit and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always something to laugh about - and that sometimes, the people we least expect can become our greatest allies.

Key Themes:

• Friendship
• Love
• Art
• Empathy
• Hope

Character Analysis:

• Jack: A bank robber with a heart of gold.
• Julia: A pregnant woman who is just trying to make it through the day.
• Ro: A real estate agent with a secret.
• Esmeralda: A grandmother with a mysterious past.
• Jim: A retired police officer who is looking for a new purpose in life.

Review:

Anxious People is a charming and thought-provoking novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. Backman's characters are so well-developed and relatable that you feel like you're right there with them, experiencing their joys and sorrows. The story is full of humor and heart, and it will make you laugh and cry in equal measure. Ultimately, Anxious People is a story about the power of human connection and the importance of finding hope in the darkest of times.