Anxious People by Fredrik Backman (2020)
Laura’s Rating: 5/5 Stars
I chose this novel for my book club to read a couple months ago and everyone really enjoyed it! This was the second novel by Backman I’ve read and I was incredibly impressed once again.
The Analysis:
Eight strangers find themselves thrown together at an apartment showing that turns into a hostage situation when a bank robber busts in. During their time stuck in the apartment, they all begin to reveal parts of themselves, uncovering secrets and realizing that maybe they are not so different after all.
“It’s always very easy to declare that other people are idiots, but only if you forget how idiotically difficult being human is.”
I loved this book for so many reasons, one of them being that it felt relatable and authentic. Days before I started this book, I was complaining about the responsibilities of adulthood and a never-ending to-do list and the pressure of balancing work, friends, and family, along with everything else. Author Fredrik Backman not only touches on these common frustrations, but offers incredible insight about them. It seemed like every few pages, I stopped to highlight a quotable line that felt really impactful.
I think the wide range of characters means that there is something for everyone in Anxious People. The dialogue and the characters are so genuine that you really care about them and they feel like real people. The emotional range that Backman evokes through his stories is truly impressive. Not in a cliché way, but this book made me laugh, cry, and smile. I truly cannot recommend this book enough and I have a feeling it will end up on my favorites list at the end of the year.
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