Where to start with Anxious People? I have to admit that this one surprised me.
I should explain! I read this book years ago, or technically listened to it, but honestly, I barely remembered a thing. Probably because I was trying to clean the kitchen or wrangle my sock drawer at the same time (audiobooks are brilliant, but I cannot sit still and listen like some kind of serene Victorian lady doing embroidery). So I decided to actually read it this time. Properly. And I’m very glad I did.
As it turns out, and probably won’t surprise anyone, but I missed loads the first time. Like, who the bank robber actually was.That’s kind of important information to have.
So, what is Anxious People about?
Anxious People is about a group of people who go to view a flat on New Year’s Eve, and a very panicky, extremely bad-at-crime bank robber accidentally takes them hostage. I know, it sounds a bit daft, and it is, but in the loveliest way. If you have read (or seen the film of) A Man Called Ove, you will know that Fredrik Backman is a master at quirky characters and plots.
You’ve got an old lady who’s weirdly thrilled by the chaos, a couple trying to save their marriage via property investments (if you think this is weird, I should tell you that this is a couple that have so far spent their retirement visiting every branch of Ikea, in Sweden!), and a stressed-out pregnant pair who absolutely did not need this extra drama.
What I love about this book is that it’s a big messy hug of a story. It’s about how people are ridiculous and scared and kind and stubborn and occasionally brilliant. Yes, it ties up a little too neatly; like, suspiciously tidy; but I think that’s sort of the point. Sometimes you need a story that says, “Hey, we’re all anxious wrecks, but look, we’re doing our best.”
The writing’s all over the place in a clever way – it jumps around, loops back on itself, hides little things until later. One of the book club group members said she felt like she needed a conspiracy board to keep track, but in the end, we all appreciated the puzzle of it.
The thing that, I think made Anxious People such a great book choice, was that we actually laughed. Like, real snorts. (Estelle and her comments about “bloody Stockholmers” might’ve been the highlight.) Which is a huge deal, because we have read so many books after the past few years that have made promises of “hilarity” that have definitely never delivered.
But then you’ll turn a page and suddenly it punches you in the chest with something tender and true about life or grief or how hard it is to just keep going sometimes.
So in summary: Anxious People is funny, strange, a bit chaotic. Like most people I love. Highly recommend if you want something kind, clever, and just the right amount of absurd.