Have you ever walked into a situation where you are forced to talk to complete strangers? Have you ever gone to an apartment viewing and dealt with the awkward interactions that ensue when looking about another persons dwelling? Lastly, have you ever been held hostage by a bank robber? If you answered yes to any of those questions than you have at least one thing in common with all characters in Fredrik Backman’s book, Anxious People.
Backman hooked me on his writing ever since reading My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She’s Sorry. Honestly, it wasn’t so much the plot that drew me in on that one, rather the title. Nevertheless, I have been aching to read every book that follows. His writing is relatable, funny, and in more than one way, simply unique. Reading his books feels as easy as a conversation with an old friend, and Anxious People is no different.
The plot begins with an armed gunman entering an apartment viewing after a failed bank robbery. The story begins elsewhere. Perhaps that’s what makes Backman more difficult to review, he doesn’t follow the rules. So, while I walk you through the synopsis of this humorous yet revealing novel, I find more importance in the untold story.
Themes
Unlike some authors who hide their themes within their paragraphs, Backman makes a point to write out his themes. He doesn’t do so in a bland manner, like giving you answers. Rather, he makes conversation. His themes come almost like advice from an old friend, one who experienced life in a drastically different way than yourself. He leaves me hooked on the first page with images like,
Some of us never manage to get the chaos under control, so our lives simply carry on, the world spinning through space at two million miles an hour while we bounce about on its surface like so many lost socks
Fredrik Backman, Anxious People
In a sense, this book reminded me what it is like to be human. It reminded me of feeling lost and returning to my home. One thing that stuck out to me throughout the entirety of the book was how connected things are. While on the surface people can appear drastically different, our roots entangle in unimaginable ways. Take for instance a retired, empty-nesting, elderly couple and a young, parents-to-be, lesbian couple. While seemingly different, these couples both wonder about their parenthoods, both future and past.
Our similarities come from our roots, and when we find no similarities, new connections form. In this instance, we have a man with a costume rabbit mask stuck to his head and a bank teller who views herself superior to those who surround her. In this case, the only similarity present is they are both humans stuck in an apartment viewing with a failed bank robber. But, through this seemingly small similarity, they are able to build deep connections and grow to accept more of their realities.
Being stuck in uncomfortable situations reveals things we don’t like. Perhaps it reveals we do not perform well under pressure, that we become demanding and demeaning. Maybe it reveals something different, that when under pressure we become more caring and understanding. We want to relieve all stress in a room. Of course, there is always the other option. The reality that under pressure the world comes crashing down around us and we accept our fate as it is. All of these personalities arise in Anxious People. All of them remind me a little more of what it means to be human.
It just hurts so much at times, being human. Not understanding yourself, not liking the body you’re stuck in. Seeing your eyes in the mirror and wondering whose they are, always with the same questions: “What’s wrong with me? Why do I feel like this?”.
Fredrik Backman, Anxious People
Another theme that comes about, the innate dislike of the person we are. Backman presents this in several easily dislikable characters. These characters offer no question as to why they might not like themselves, until their humanity is revealed, just like the reader. It can be hard to like a person who sees themselves above all who surround them. I for one, am not sure what I would do stuck in an apartment viewing with a person of this nature. Somehow, Backman builds this person to be one you feel empathy towards. Perhaps it is their own dislike for the person they are. However, I think it is in his ability to construct a change of heart that seems both natural and inevitable. It leaves you hoping for a future of goodness for an originally dislikable character.
Backman ends all his books with a feeling of hope and longing. At the end of Anxious People, I left with a hope for what strangers hold. I now wonder how to make deeper connections to those around me, as I am more aware of the struggles that lie under the surface for many.
Because we’re doing the best we can, we really are. We’re trying to be grown-up and love each other and understand how the hell you’re supposed to insert USB leads. We’re looking for something to cling on to, something to fight for, something to look forward to. We’re doing all we can to teach our children how to swim. We have all of this in common, yet most of us remain strangers, we never know what we do to each other, how you life is affected by mine.
Fredrik Backman, Anxious People
This book does a great job at making you think about real life things, something I don’t find as often in the books I read. I don’t think a good book needs to make you think about reality. In fact, I think some of the best books are the ones that pull you out of reality. However, an occasional change of pace is always good for you. This change paired with the natural humor of Backman’s writing makes for an easy read. When I put this book down I didn’t feel so much like I just finished a book, more like I had just finished a lesson from someone I can learn from.
Recommendation
My recommendation goes to everyone. Even if you feel you have nothing to learn, I urge you to pick this book up and take a chance. You will not regret it. This book does reference suicide and other themes pertaining to mental health (I mean, look at the title), so please be cognizant of that if you are sensitive to those themes. If you are looking for a book to make you pause and reflect, I urge you to give this one a chance.
Spectacular 9/10.
As always, happy reading!