Every once in a while, it is good for readers to pick a book outside their usual choices. For some, that unexpected choice might be something light and fun. That choice might be Fredrik Backman’s Anxious People.
Described as a quirky Swedish comedy, Anxious People begins with a failed bank robbery. It was a cashless bank! The inept robber escapes into a nearby apartment building and inadvertently takes refuge in a unit where an eclectic group of strangers has gathered for a real estate viewing. What begins as farce quickly turns into an unlikely hostage situation.
At its heart, the book is about anxious people, and they are anxious for many different reasons. Backman presents enough of those reasons for readers to recognize themselves or others in the story. His main characters include the robber, the hostages, and the police (a father and son), all of whom are distinct and memorable. One of Backman’s strengths is his ability to create memorable characters with distinct stories, flaws, and depth.
Written with warmth and humor, the novel explores underlying themes: poverty, depression, family relationships, desperation, and the daily struggles of ordinary life. Each character’s backstory is gradually revealed, highlighting how interconnected lives can be and how individuals cope with their personal challenges.
The story unfolds through a series of interviews and flashbacks. As the narrative evolves, the hostages form a curious bond and, with empathy, conspire to help the bank robber. How these events ultimately resolve is best left for the reader to discover.
In interviews, Fredrik Backman has said that the book was inspired by his own experiences with anxiety. He has noted that while many people worry about similar things, they often feel isolated in those experiences.
For readers seeking a novel that falls squarely in the “feel-good” category, without ignoring life’s complexities, Anxious People is an excellent choice.
Anxious People was later adapted into a six-episode Netflix series that premiered in 2021. One of Backman’s earlier and best-known books, A Man Called Ove, was a bestseller and was later adapted into a motion picture starring Tom Hanks.
Backman, Fredrik. Anxious People: A Novel. Atria Books. 2020.
