Review: Anxious People
Title: Anxious PeopleGenre(s): Contemporary
Pages: 346
Source: Library
For: Trim Your TBR Challenge
Rating:
Sexual Content:
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Goodreads Synopsis
A poignant, charming novel 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. Humorous, compassionate, and wise, ANXIOUS PEOPLE is an ingeniously constructed story about the enduring power of friendship, forgiveness, and hope--the things that save us, even in the most anxious of times.
My Thoughts
I’ve never been interested in reading Fredrik Backman’s books. They sounded boring to me. Then my IRL book club read ANXIOUS PEOPLE back in September and the discussion sounded interesting. Fortunately, I didn’t pay attention too much so I wouldn’t be spoiled because I decided to add it to my Unofficial Trim Challenge list and its number was chosen for January.
Some of us never manage to get the chaos under control, so our lives simply carry on, the world spinning through space at two million miles an hour while we bounce about on its surface like so many lost socks.
I’m so glad I decided to act opposite of my initial inclination and read ANXIOUS PEOPLE. I absolutely adored this book. I was giggling from the outset and I was hooked from the first time I sat down on Monday and started to read the book. I loved how it was written, that we got the story in parts. It reminded me a lot of TRULY MADLY GUILTY by Liane Moriarty (but better executed). I wanted to keep reading so I could figure out how everything would play out.
After I finished reading ANXIOUS PEOPLE, I felt almost spiritually moved and like Backman had spoken to me through his characters on a deep personal level. Backman made me feel a gambit of emotions for every single character, including the grumpy know-it-all who thrived on causing conflict. It made me love every single one of them. He even made me have feelings for bridges.
I’ll definitely look into Frederik Backman’s other books now and see if I like any of them as much as ANXIOUS PEOPLE. It was such a treat to read.
Have you read ANXIOUS PEOPLE? If so, what did you think about it?
Trigger Warning
There is a trigger warning for suicide and suicidal ideation.
Ove was my favorite Backman book, but this one is my new favorite. It is amazing! I’ve been recommending it everyone.
I’ll have to read Ove and see what I think about it. This book is amazing! 😀 I can see why you’re recommending it to everyone.
Two of the Backman books I’ve read: Anxious People and A Man Called Ove were slow starters for me. What I mean is I was dubious I’d like them until I got about midway through the book and the characters and the plot started to unfold. I deinitely rated both of those books as great in the end but I just wasn’t sure about them at the start. I am so glad that you read this one. It certainly has a strong anti-suicide message, which is so important for all of us to hear at times.
I understand what you mean. I’ve definitely read books like that myself. For some reason, ANXIOUS PEOPLE took me in right from the beginning. And, its anti-suicide message was probably one of the main reasons it resonated with me so much.
I started this on audio and dnf’d for then (I wasn’t in a reading mood) but forgot to get back to it. I heard it’s a show, on Netflix, I think.
Karen @For What It’s Worth
I looked up the Netflix show and was disappointed to find out that it’s dubbed. I don’t mind that it’s not an American-made show. I just wish it had subtitles rather than being dubbed. I hope you can read it someday. 🙂
Same, Jenni! I have never had much interest in reading Backmann for the same reason as you, but it was picked as the first read of the new year for my book club. The meeting is on Tuesday, so I need to get it read. I’m glad to hear you loved it and that it reminds you of a Moriarty book. That’s all the incentive I need right there!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
I hope you like it. 🙂 I’ll look for your review.