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A review by n_asyikin_
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
A botched robbery led to a hostage situation. Once the hostages were set free, parent-son police officers must investigate how the robber escaped from a building under the watchful eyes of the police. And the victims? Well, their accounts of the crime were not very helpful - strangely enough.
Told in non-linear structure, Anxious People were told in a third person's voice, focusing on certain characters at a time. And what a cast of characters it contained. Some of the characters were, for lack of better word, a**holes. Although, I did appreciate their uncensored honesty. The cynicism in general was funny. Just the general chaos of the event was hilarious!
But what was initially acerbic & cynical, & still continued to be so interchangeably throughout, were then filtered through the lens of compassion; a depth adding a to something that were light insofar.
The cynicism provided reprieved to me from the very relatable concerns the cast had. But the compassion heavy towards the end; the reminder that we can overcome our insecurities, be a better person & earned forgiveness, broke me to the point of healing. I cried so much & I'm grateful for the vulnerability Anxious People allowed me to embrace.
It really is a story of our time; how we feel isolated in dealing with the feelings that we're not good enough & why we should show more compassion to not only others - but also ourselves. Because we were never alone in that feelings. I loved how Backman formed commonality between the characters, i.e. in the interest or experiences they shared; it's just a reminder that no matter how trivial, we can find that similarity that can bond us. And by being together, life gets better.
Koenig (The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrow) stated that sonder reflects the realization that each of us has our own story. Anxious People reminds me to the significance & beauty of sonder. I experienced sonder from reading this beautiful piece.
Funny, intriguing in the story's development, & definitely moving, Anxious People was one of the most emotionally cathartic books I've read this year.
Told in non-linear structure, Anxious People were told in a third person's voice, focusing on certain characters at a time. And what a cast of characters it contained. Some of the characters were, for lack of better word, a**holes. Although, I did appreciate their uncensored honesty. The cynicism in general was funny. Just the general chaos of the event was hilarious!
But what was initially acerbic & cynical, & still continued to be so interchangeably throughout, were then filtered through the lens of compassion; a depth adding a to something that were light insofar.
The cynicism provided reprieved to me from the very relatable concerns the cast had. But the compassion heavy towards the end; the reminder that we can overcome our insecurities, be a better person & earned forgiveness, broke me to the point of healing. I cried so much & I'm grateful for the vulnerability Anxious People allowed me to embrace.
It really is a story of our time; how we feel isolated in dealing with the feelings that we're not good enough & why we should show more compassion to not only others - but also ourselves. Because we were never alone in that feelings. I loved how Backman formed commonality between the characters, i.e. in the interest or experiences they shared; it's just a reminder that no matter how trivial, we can find that similarity that can bond us. And by being together, life gets better.
Koenig (The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrow) stated that sonder reflects the realization that each of us has our own story. Anxious People reminds me to the significance & beauty of sonder. I experienced sonder from reading this beautiful piece.
Funny, intriguing in the story's development, & definitely moving, Anxious People was one of the most emotionally cathartic books I've read this year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Mental illness