This is the story of a bank robbery where the bank robber robs a cashless bank. So very unsuccessful! Then in an escape runs into the building across the street where there is an open house for an apartment and ends up holding everyone there hostage. This is the story of how that robber escapes. And the story of all the people held hostage.
At first I thought this was going to be corny. Then I kept reading to figure out who the bank robber was and how he/she escaped the apartment. Then by the mid-way point the beauty of this book started to really develop. And by the end - wow. Just wow! This was a story about love and community and loneliness and more love and people coming together to help each other and love and marriage and parenting and love. As it says in the very last chapter - "this was a story about many different things ... we're doing the best we can, we really are. We're trying to be grown-up and love each other and understand ... we're looking for something to cling on to, something to fight for, something to look forward to. We're doing all we can..." Absolutely fantastic book. One of my best reads so far this year.
At first I thought this was going to be corny. Then I kept reading to figure out who the bank robber was and how he/she escaped the apartment. Then by the mid-way point the beauty of this book started to really develop. And by the end - wow. Just wow! This was a story about love and community and loneliness and more love and people coming together to help each other and love and marriage and parenting and love. As it says in the very last chapter - "this was a story about many different things ... we're doing the best we can, we really are. We're trying to be grown-up and love each other and understand ... we're looking for something to cling on to, something to fight for, something to look forward to. We're doing all we can..." Absolutely fantastic book. One of my best reads so far this year.
Helpful Score: 2
I have yet to read a book by this author that I did not like, this one is no exception. It is funny and heartbreaking in places. I love the way he tells his stories. The intricate ways that his fascinating characters weave into each other's lives, you can't help but love them, their flaws, their humanity. Quickly becoming one of my very favorite authors!
The author tries to be funny, but sometimes tries too hard.
Disappointed! I did not like this book - the first written by this author. The premise struck me as silly and unimportant and I could not finish it so I took it back to the library. Hope the author does better next time. However, maybe others will find it interesting.
Anxious People is the seventh Fredrik Backman book I have read. Some have left lasting impressions. Some I have enjoyed and let go. This one was iffy for a bit to the point that I almost put it down. I am glad I did not for in the end, it leaves me with a memory of the characters and a smile on my face as most of his other books have.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2020/12/anxious-people.html
Reviewed for NetGalley.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2020/12/anxious-people.html
Reviewed for NetGalley.
Absolutely loved it! Backman is so good at using story to relay messaging. This one reveals what a wonderfully rich world this could be if we worked at dropping the barriers & dismantling pretense....then took care of one another.
What a delightfully wonderful book! A bit silly here and there but lots of wisdom and insight. Endearing characters. Just a joy to read.
Nothing is quite what it seems to be in this complicated tale of an incompetent bank robber, a motley group of hostages, and a father-son police team trying to get to the bottom of what really happened. What really happened is a sweet and funny tale about redemption, love, and the often-unseen ties that bind us to one another.
