Anxious People
2020 · Fredrik Backman · 341 pages · Literary Fiction
Fredrik Backman's novel about a failed bank robber who accidentally takes a group of apartment viewers hostage is warm, funny, and emotionally generous in ways that readers either love or find excessive. His writing is clever without being cold, and his characters are drawn with affection and surprising depth. The mystery structure holds attention even though the real subject is loneliness, connection, and the quiet desperation of ordinary life. It's messier and less focused than his best work, and the narrative tricks can feel like they're trying too hard. But when the emotional payoffs land, and they usually do, Backman proves again that he understands the specific sadness of people who are doing their best and still falling short.