A review by dominic_t
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

emotional mysterious sad 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

I loved this book. It was written in a really interesting way. The third person narrator felt like another character in the story; it had a distinctively snarky voice and editorialized about the action. The narrator involves the reader in the story by using "you" and "we" selectively to create common ground between the reader and the characters. "We pretend we're normal, that we're reasonably well educated, that we understand 'amortization levels' and 'inflation rates.'"

I didn't see the twist coming, and I loved it. It was a story with a lot of moving moments and beautiful relationships. It did spike my anxiety by naming the some of my own fears and insecurities, so I wouldn't recommend reading this if you are in a bad spot. It's a fun read, but not a light one.
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