Fredrick Backman’s Anxious People is every bit as good as people say it is. Though I confess, it took me three different readings to get past page 30, and I can understand how this might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
A brief synopsis:
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove and “writer of astonishing depth” (The Washington Times) comes a poignant comedy 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.
Backman’s writing is very stylized in tone, pace, and characterization. The line between comedy and tragedy is paper thin*. But if you can give yourself to this book, the reward is a vulnerable kind of human wisdom that teaches you more about yourself – and others.
There are also so many skillful twists you don’t see coming, until you do, and then all you can think is “of course!” I read this in one day and am guessing if I started it over again today, I’d find all sorts of new things to love about it.
*content warnings for suicide, addiction, mental illness
BOOK:30 