The plot begins with suicide. then bank robbery and even hostage situation. Heavy stuff but Backman never dissapoints. He crushes all stereotypes and always shows us our own mirror. And he does it with great deal of humour.

Refine insight into human character. Great story about love, parenthood, forgiveness, empathy and new beginnings. It's never too late to start again, even if you made a great mistake or you didn't know how to do better. We all try to do our best. Even in this anxious world full of fear and high expectations.

Heartwarming and multilayered book.

A new Fredrik Backman novel is always cause for celebration with me, as I've yet to read anything he's written that I didn't love. Happy to report that 'Anxious People' is another winner for me. What I loved about it, particularly, is it shows how Backman continues to grow as a writer. He could have been a one-trick pony with his quirky cute tales of old curmudgeons (I'm looking at you Ove and Britt-Marie), but moved into more social commentary and tougher topics for his two visits to Beartown.
'Anxious People" combines his quirkiness for characters with some tough social commentary - the poverty trap and the desperate things that some people will do to try and keep seeing their kids, as well as a recurring theme of suicide. But don't worry if you think this will be a depressing slog - as always Backman manages to delight, weaving a dark thread through a hugely enjoyable tale of an accidental hostage situation during an open house apartment viewing.
As always, Backman creates characters who initially you may love or you may hate, but by the end, I loved them all - there is redemption aplenty to be had here, with a really satisfying ending that makes you feel better about the world (and let's face it, we could all do with that right now).
Another great read from an author who never disappoints. Hugely recommended. Thank you to the publisher for the advance copy!!

Anxious People was a completely joyous read. Fredrik Backman's distinctive, unique writing style is always a pleasure, but this book was even more glorious than usual. It was overflowing with love and good humour. Mr Backman's love is so fantastically love in the real world, amongst real people. Every chapter was a precious gem. I laughed out loud on many occasions and could hardly wait to get into bed at night and start reading. The characters are divinely quirky and eccentric and their interactions are the basis for the warm glow the reader gets whilst following their story. A wonderfully unusual tale, told with flair and finesse that is so wonderful it is sure to cure everything that ails you. Don't miss out on this beautiful book.

This book had me completely in its hands which I am slightly surprised by as, on beginning it, I didn't think is was going to be for me. However that is the beauty of this book as it does challenge your assumptions and take you in directions that you were not expecting. It is about cruelty and love, it is about what we hide and what we give away, it is about the best of people and the worst. It is both incredibly funny and slightly tragic.
The quirky collection of characters are beautifully crafted and they sneak into your heart just when you think you didn't care.
This novel is about humanity at its most raw and at its most wonderful and I LOVED it!

Fredrik Backman is one of my all time favourite writers. The way he draws me into a story with an amazing balance of intrigue, emotion and sarcasm just floors me every time. His imagination and wit run wild through his novels and I find them captivating, Anxious People was certainly no different.

On the face of it, this book is about a bank robbery that goes wrong....or is it? There are a number of really important themes explored through the story, mainly around mental health and relationships. Some people are about to embark on starting a family, others have been together for years, some are related, some are single and some are widowed. The diverse character set not only brings humour, it shows how important compassion is and how when you pull together, regardless of background, you can make a real difference to other people lives.

There is a fairly large cast of characters but given the setting of the story, it is very easy to keep up with the interactions and how things connect.

Backman's wit is weaved throughout and there are some laugh out loud moments, sometimes when you least expect them in the middle of an emotional scene.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and highly recommend it. Can't wait for all that is to come from Fredrik Backman. "The truth is this was a story about many different things, but most of all about idiots. Because we're all doing the best we can, we really are"

UK Publication Date set for 20th August 2020.

Thank you to @netgalley and @michaeljbooks for the opportunity to review.

#libraryatsevern #bookworm #book #reading
#bookstagramuk #londonreader #bookreviewfeature #bookreview #bibliophile
#bookstagrammers #readersofinstagram #reader #igreads #anxiouspeople #bookblogger #goodreads #bookshelf #bookreviewer #bookshelf #michaeljoseph #fredrikbackman #netgalley #swedishwriters #isolationreadinglist #lockdownreads #stayhomeandread #swedishfiction #newfictionreleases #favouriteauthors

I absolutely love Fredrik Backman’s writing - and this title was no exception. It may even be my new favourite. Great writing, tears but in a good way. Wonderful

Fredrik Backman has a gift for writing people. He seems to understand how people think, how they interact with each other, their motivations, their desires, their fears, in a way that no-one else quite manages. His books are little slices of humanity, always profoundly moving experiences, beautifully written but without any flowery language. I wish I could speak Swedish just so I could experience them in their original form - but full credit to the translator for their exceptional job.

'Anxious People' is a brilliant book. It's laugh out loud funny in places, sad in others, and changes the way you look at the world. Each character is fresh, unique, and perfectly written. The plot is, in many ways, completely insane, but it works - possibly because it's almost incidental. This is a story about characters, not about events, and the madness of the plot illustrates perfectly the madness of humanity.

It's a story about a bank robbery, except it's not. It's a story about a hostage situation, but to call it a hostage situation doesn't do the book or the characters justice at all. Really, it's a story about a bank robber, two police officers, a banker, a young lesbian couple, a retired couple who renovate homes, an actor, a grandmother, an estate agent, and a therapist. I could tell you more, but all I'm going to tell you is to read it. It's brilliant, and it's even more brilliant when you don't know anything going in. Just enjoy being taken for the ride.

The characters are perfect. They all start perfectly normal, somewhat stereotypical, then layers upon layers are peeled back and suddenly you're questioning everything. Backman takes every single assumption that people make and flips them. It's clever and leaves you questioning everything, which is exactly how a novel should make you feel.

Read this book. I usually end my reviews by recommending books to a specific audience, but this book's audience is everyone. There is no-one who wouldn't benefit from reading this, and I think most will enjoy it. It's fun, clever, very different, and an indescribably good reading experience. I'm so grateful to live in a time when we have a novelist like Fredrik Backman.

Oh my goodness, what a book!
I absolutely loved this and was hooked from the premise and desperate to read it.
It seemed like such a simple story, but as with his other books it's so wonderfully layered that I just felt astounded when all the pieces fell into place.
I feel like I've been on an adventure with all the characters (loved them all), I've laughed until I've cried, then cried some more, and then ugly cried whilst trying to catch my breath to top it all.
I love that you start the book feeling one way about a person or situation and then find he's totally changed your opinion, which I find has been the case with all of his books I've read.
This Is my 6th 5 star rated book for this year (2 of the others were also Backman books) it was a powerful book that has given me a lot to think about and will stay with me for a long time.
I wish I could re-read it and experience it all again.
My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for my advance copy in return for my honest review.

I always marvel at the way Backman turns amusing coincidences into layered stories that astound me once everything fits into place. You should never make assumptions about any of his characters as you never know where they will take you.

On the face of it, this is a story about a bank robber and of stupid rash decisions. However as the chapters progress the book unveils a deeper meaning that is perfect to get in lost in. You won’t realise you are near the end of the story as you get so wrapped up in the characters and how they interconnect with one and another. It’s wonderfully uplifting.

Credit should also go to the translator (Neil Smith) as the text never jars, it flows smoothly.

Fredrik Backman never ceases to amaze me with his tremendous writing style. This novel is so moving yet so funny - a robber who is risking it all, but actually just seems to need to some love and help. I love how Fredrik captures quirky people so well. He seems to get into their soul and take you with him. Another fantastic book Fredrik - thanks.

I didn't know whether to laugh, cry or tear my hair out. In the end I sat back and enjoyed the most amazing book I have read in a long time. It really touched my core.