Review: Anxious People

Author: Fredrik Backman

Started reading: October 4th 2020

Finished the book: October 20th 2020

Pages: 352

Genres: Contemporary, Fiction, Mystery

Published: September 8th 2020

Source: E-book

Goodreads score: 4.36

My score:

Synopsis

This is 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.

Viewing an apartment normally doesn’t turn into a life-or-death situation, but this particular open house becomes just that when a failed bank robber bursts in and takes everyone in the apartment hostage. As the pressure mounts, the eight strangers slowly begin opening up to one another and reveal long-hidden truths.

As police surround the premises and television channels broadcast the hostage situation live, the tension mounts and even deeper secrets are slowly revealed. Before long, the robber must decide which is the more terrifying prospect: going out to face the police, or staying in the apartment with this group of impossible people.

My thoughts

Thanks to Arjen for doing this buddyread with me and for choosing this book! I LOVED the writing style, the humor, the mystery and the characters. This story was so unique, it's a mystery, humor, contemporary and a bit cultural, all in one.

Pros

• Vague: What I loved at the start, was that it was all a bit vague. You don't get any character names until chapter 8. That totally piqued my interest and made me want to keep reading. This choice, not to reveal that much, fits the writing style. It felt like one of my best friends was telling me a story. I'm sure that fans of this author would be able to pick his book from a large stack, solely on the writing style. I've not seen anything like it and I do hope to read more from this author.
• Funny: This book was so damn funny. It made me laugh out loud so many times and made me repeat stuff out loud to my boyfriend. At the same time it's a very serious story, and that's exactly how I live my life. I'm positive and always try to see the good things, but there are darker and more serious moments and I try to look at those with some humor too.
• Ending: I loved how everything in this story came together. I had no idea where the story would go and how it would end or how all the little pieces would fit together, but fit they did! The story was wrapped up so nicely and it left me satisfied when I finished it.
• Mysterious: This book keeps throwing you off. I was like: "Oh, now I get it." And then there would be another twist that would keep you guessing again. The mysterious in combination with the funny and the seriousness was amazeballs.

Cons

Nay!

Overall

One of the best books I've read this year and probably the most unique writing styles of the year for me. I enjoyed reading this book, because of the unique combination of genres, but also because I was able to just rush through. I've seen quite some reviews for this book, all positive until now, so I'd recommend you pick up this book and fangirl with me!

Other opinions on this book

"Backman again captures the messy essence of being human. It's clever and affecting, as likely to make you laugh out loud as it is to make you cry."

- Washington Post

"Wry, wise and often laugh-out-loud funny, it's a wholly original story that delivers pure pleasure."

- People

Thanks for reading!

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