Scan barcode
A review by sarahmarie094
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
UGH! I started this book in September of 2021 after choosing it as one of my Book of the Month selections based on the mad hype surrounding the book. I put it down after a few weeks of attempting to get past the first few (very short) chapters. I was not drawn to this book At. All. I let it sit and simmer until now (January of 2022) because I found out there was a Netflix show made based on it, the hype hadn't died, and I was able to start over again using an audiobook copy (I've found that different formats sometimes help me).
Well, I finally finished listening to the audiobook today, so here are my conclusions. First, this book doesn't deserve the hype. There. I said it. Throw me off the book-reading island. It's fine. I'll drown in the sea of rabid, human-starved bookmarks. Next, I feel like some things were either lost in translation from Swedish to English, or I just don't have a very Swedish sense of humor. I felt like there were far too many halfway sarcastic "dad jokes" that didn't land with me. That's ok, humor is different for everyone. Third, WHY are there SO MANY CHARACTERS? I like reading books where there are characters that connect in the end, but having so many characters that they could literally fill an entire apartment building with separate characters is just over the top. Lastly, the peak was too soon. The identity of the bank robber is revealed just over halfway through the book, and the rest of the book is tying up the loose ends of how all the characters are connected. While some falling action/closing/resolution is needed, it doesn't need to make up 40% of the book.
Overall, a generous 2/5 stars. Not sure I'd read another book by this author.
Well, I finally finished listening to the audiobook today, so here are my conclusions. First, this book doesn't deserve the hype. There. I said it. Throw me off the book-reading island. It's fine. I'll drown in the sea of rabid, human-starved bookmarks. Next, I feel like some things were either lost in translation from Swedish to English, or I just don't have a very Swedish sense of humor. I felt like there were far too many halfway sarcastic "dad jokes" that didn't land with me. That's ok, humor is different for everyone. Third, WHY are there SO MANY CHARACTERS? I like reading books where there are characters that connect in the end, but having so many characters that they could literally fill an entire apartment building with separate characters is just over the top. Lastly, the peak was too soon. The identity of the bank robber is revealed just over halfway through the book, and the rest of the book is tying up the loose ends of how all the characters are connected. While some falling action/closing/resolution is needed, it doesn't need to make up 40% of the book.
Overall, a generous 2/5 stars. Not sure I'd read another book by this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia