A new novel from the multi-million copy bestselling author of A MAN CALLED OVE
Published by Michael Joseph
Thursday 20th August 2020
Hardback £14.99
ISBN: 9780718186616
SYNOPSIS:
‘I’m very sorry. I’m having quite a complicated day….’
Viewing an apartment normally doesn’t turn into a life-or-death situation. But this particular open house in a small town in Sweden becomes just that when an unsuccessful bank robber bursts in and takes everyone in the apartment hostage.
With the bank robber refusing to communicate demands to the police, fear quickly turns to irritation for those trapped inside. If this is going to be their last day on earth, shouldn’t it be a bit more…dramatic? As they wait, the eight incredibly anxious strangers slowly begin opening up to one another, revealing long-hidden truths.
And as the minutes tick on, they begin to suspect that the criminal mastermind holding them hostage might be more in need of rescuing than they are…
A poignant, unpredictable locked-room comedy about a crime that never takes place, and eight extremely anxious strangers who find they have more in common than they could ever have realised.
Gemma's Thoughts:
This was such a quirky and humorous book. A bank robber who isn't really a bank robber who then finds themself in a hostage situation with a group of unwilling participants, makes this quite the witty novel. The two police men are also a bit of a liability which adds to the general disarray and deliberate confusion of the plot.
Fredrik Backman is a natural born storyteller, for those that have read any of his previous novels will know that his stories are character led. Anxious People has a whole host of colourful characters, each with their own flaws, insecurities and problems, which makes them easy to identify with and feel compassionate towards. I love the way the characters are linked and come together. These heartwarming moments beautifully balance the darker themes of loneliness and suicide that run through the book. I also loved hearing all the character's backstories, especially those of the police men.
There was definitely a lot of surprise elements in this book which kept me on my toes and at times made me go back to find hidden clues that I missed on the first read. I loved how the events and characters came together and thought it was a very satisfying ending. This book highlights the beauty of humankind and how a little act of kindness can go a long way.
Ashlea's Thoughts:
What an absolutely absurd story! The whole premise of someone failing tragically at robbing a bank and somehow ending up holding a room full of strangers hostage is utterly ridiculous and yet truly comical. I think Backman could have played on this a bit more to really add to the humour but it was still something I found very entertaining.
I loved the opening of the book where Backman highlights the common inner anxieties of adulthood and parenthood and how no one knows what they are doing. It was both comforting and comical and really set the foundations and themes for the rest of the book.
From the beginning Backman addresses the characters as their profession and then slowly introduces them and their backstory which I ended up liking quite a lot. I thought that it was a great way of keeping track of all the characters and understanding them. We get to learn a lot about their own stories and realise that they all have something in common; that they all want to be loved and accepted in-spite of their flaws and anxieties. Once again, all the characters are pretty absurd too, but I liked them all. I found the communication between the characters at the start to be very irritating as they all seemed to clash but throughout the novel they all evolved and became better people.
This novel is interspersed with dark themes of suicide, loneliness, loss and anxiety which I think Backman did a great job balancing with lighthearted humour and mystery. There were a few twists and turns along the way which kept me engaged and needing to reach the ending to find the truth. Overall, a sweet and warmhearted read with lots of comical moments.
Many thanks to Laura Nicol and Michael Joseph Penguin for my gifted copy of Anxious People and inviting me to join the blog tour.
FREDRIK BACKMAN made his literary debut in 2012 with the global sensation A MAN CALLED OVE. Wickedly funny, touching and wise, Fredrik Backman’s novels are odysseys of the ordinary man and woman, and stunningly moving tales of everyday courage. His books have sold more than 11 million copies in 46 languages and the film adaptation of A Man Called Ove was nominated for two Academy Awards. Tom Hanks is currently set to adapt and star in an English language version of the film.