BEHIND THE BOOK: Anxious People

“Anxious People” by Fredrik Backman is not what you’re expecting it to be. Is it a mystery? Technically speaking, yes. Will it make you laugh? Without a doubt. Will you be hit with line after line describing exactly what you feel? Most definitely, and honestly, it’s a little off-putting. (I mean, seriously, does this guy read my diary or what?!)

Somehow, Backman effortlessly combines wry humor, pure wit, and such profound melancholy all in one beautiful amalgamation of a book. Truly, “Anxious People” is about people. It’s about that trial we all partake in, the one thing that binds us together, what we all live with every single day: the human experience.

So what happens when a bank robbery turns into a hostage drama which turns into an investigation, all in a small Swedish town? Backman weaves a complicated tale, one that readers have to pick apart patiently, slowly pulling out each narrative thread, only for them to be all woven back together in a way you never saw coming.

I truly adored the characters in this book. In fact, that’s one of the key reasons why I loved this book so much. Every single one felt real, as if I could encounter them as I’m walking down the street. Backman gives elaborate backstories for each character, how they each justified their actions, and why they are the way they are–just like real people. They all made mistakes, and were messy, which allowed me to relate, and thus, get invested in the lives of these characters.

At first, my reading style did not mesh with Backman’s writing style. I like to get right into the plot, finding out characters’ backstories as I read, not at the very beginning. However, once I realized how the non-lateral structure of “Anxious People” worked, and got used to the casual, almost first-person, “talking to the reader,” yet still omniscient narrator, I was completely enamored. The style is different from my typical book-of-choice, and it was a little jarring at first. Even though I did get used to it, the humor fell flat sometimes. I mostly did like it, but occasionally I found myself cringing when the humor felt like it was trying too hard. Obviously, this wasn’t so bad as I still absolutely and fully enjoyed this book.

Overall, “Anxious People” was brilliant. It really reminded me of my place in this world. I am human. And you are human. We’re all human, and we’re all here in this world making mistakes. “Anxious People” taught me that we’re all in this together, people are good at heart, mistakes are a normal part of life, and you can be forgiven. I recommend this book for anyone who is human.

Happy reading!

Originally published in "The Titan Times," a page in "The Voice Newspaper"