Scan barcode
bexxhenders's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Death of parent and Addiction
spoetting's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
If you’ve ever thought “I dislike people” this is a book that will both confirm and challenge that. It’s compassionate, sad, funny, and a little silly, overall a great mystery to unravel.
“When you’re a child you long to be an adult and decide everything for yourself, but when you’re an adult you realize that’s the worst part of it.”
“When you’re a child you long to be an adult and decide everything for yourself, but when you’re an adult you realize that’s the worst part of it.”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Suicide
caitielovebug's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Suicide
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, Alcohol, Drug abuse, and Grief
ndmngz's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I can’t even begin to describe how much I loved this. It is truly a work of art that made me tear up, my heart ache, but also laugh out loud.
The plot itself is a story about a failed bank robbery turned hostage situation, all the events that lead up to it, and what occurs during and after it. It’s told with time jumps and some unreliable 3rd person narration that only adds to the twists and drama as we uncover the ‘mystery.’ But the true gem is the story Backman weaves of the human condition, of the hurts and hardships many face but fail to ever talk or admit. It’s a story about real love, compassion, forgiveness, failure, and redemption, about the depth we all truly share with one another and the ways in which we can impact others’ lives.
There were 10+ significant characters in this story, but I never got them confused or forgot who was who. They all felt well rounded and incredibly developed, but also flawed in a way that so inexplicably human. I rooted for them all despite their many flaws. The author never tried to make the reader forgive or overlook the characters’ mistakes either, he simply made the other parts of them redeemable.
I listened to the audiobook and Marin Ireland did an amazing job at bringing the story to life, I couldn’t stop listening at one point. I will 100% be getting the physical copy of this book to own and markup, because for the first time in my life I feel truly compelled to reread something (or re-consume it in this case).
The plot itself is a story about a failed bank robbery turned hostage situation, all the events that lead up to it, and what occurs during and after it. It’s told with time jumps and some unreliable 3rd person narration that only adds to the twists and drama as we uncover the ‘mystery.’ But the true gem is the story Backman weaves of the human condition, of the hurts and hardships many face but fail to ever talk or admit. It’s a story about real love, compassion, forgiveness, failure, and redemption, about the depth we all truly share with one another and the ways in which we can impact others’ lives.
There were 10+ significant characters in this story, but I never got them confused or forgot who was who. They all felt well rounded and incredibly developed, but also flawed in a way that so inexplicably human. I rooted for them all despite their many flaws. The author never tried to make the reader forgive or overlook the characters’ mistakes either, he simply made the other parts of them redeemable.
I listened to the audiobook and Marin Ireland did an amazing job at bringing the story to life, I couldn’t stop listening at one point. I will 100% be getting the physical copy of this book to own and markup, because for the first time in my life I feel truly compelled to reread something (or re-consume it in this case).
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Drug abuse
whatadoll2014's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death
vishalvc's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicide, and Death
Minor: Alcoholism
feliciaguestwrites's review against another edition
4.0
Fredrik Backman has gone and made me fall for his writing once again! As witty and relatable as ever, his story of a group of misfits paired together in an accidental hostage situation during an apartment viewing. This is a funny, heartwarming, poignant story that truly captures the eccentricity of the human experience. Although the story jumped from one character to another quite rapidly, I never felt as though I was losing track of the stories. He did an excellent job of crafting unique personalities for each character and creating a distinguishable voice for each. I loved the interview bits, as infuriating and silly as they might sometimes be - they sort of reminded me of the way they talk in Gilmore Girls! All in all, I was happy to read more of Backman's work!
I received this ARC for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this ARC for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Cancer, Death of parent, and Death
scmiller's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Death, Death of parent, Classism, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Pregnancy and Alcoholism
Minor: Drug use, Addiction, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Physical abuse, and Racism
beatle426's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Grief, Mental illness, Death, and Panic attacks/disorders
haileyhardcover's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Anxious People is a story about a bank robbery. No, it’s a hostage drama. No, it’s about a bridge. No, wait, a rabbit? No… No. It’s a story about idiots.
In truth, Anxious People is about desperation, grief, mental health, greed, the housing market, purpose, loneliness, parenting, marriage, hope, connection, love, Stockholm… It’s a fascinating exploration into being human.
It’s also part mystery that will keep you hooked until the very end! When I tell you I could not put this book down, I mean it. HOOKED. It had me in an absolute fucking chokehold all the way through. I gasped, I screamed, at one point I closed the book and beat it against my couch because I was so mad that I missed something so obvious… lol It also has so much heart, and such endearing (and frustrating and hilarious and idiotic) characters. I wiped away lone tears, I laughed out loud, snorted, and fully broke down sobbing…. several times… just within the last 25 pages. 🥲
No one can craft a story like Fredrik Backman. No one captures the messy magic of humans like him. No one else can weave so many seemly disconnected stories together into an absolute masterpiece, and tie them all together flawlessly.
I didn’t think it was possible, but Anxious People has unseated My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry as my favorite book. Backman remains my favorite author for a reason. The man is undefeated.
A quote on the back from USA Today sums up Anxious People perfectly: “Hits the sweet spot between profoundly insightful and preposterously funny… I hugged this book tightly with a smile on my face and tears in my eyes.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Drug use, Drug abuse, Addiction, Classism, and Pregnancy
Minor: Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, Cancer, Alcohol, Dementia, Death of parent, and Sexism