Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

Fredrik Backman’s “Anxious People” is a delightfully quirky and unexpectedly poignant novel that weaves together the lives of a motley crew of characters through a botched bank robbery turned hostage situation. But don’t let that premise fool you—this isn’t your typical crime thriller. Instead, Backman has crafted a deeply human story about loneliness, connection, and the messy business of being alive.

The novel opens with a failed bank robbery attempt by a desperate parent trying to make rent. When the would-be robber stumbles into an apartment viewing to hide from police, a hostage situation ensues. But these aren’t your typical hostages, and this is far from a typical hostage drama.

Over the course of one New Year’s Eve, we get to know this eclectic group of anxious, damaged, lovable oddballs as their lives intersect in unexpected ways. There’s the fretful pregnant woman and her scatterbrained wife, the bickering retired couple, the enigmatic banker, the lonely widow, and more – each wrestling with their own demons and disappointments.

As the situation unfolds, Backman peels back their layers with his signature blend of humor and heart. What emerges is a story about human frailty and resilience, about the weight of our choices and the redemptive power of connection. It’s by turns hilarious and heartbreaking, absurd and profound.

A Master of Tragicomedy

Readers familiar with Backman’s previous works like “A Man Called Ove” and “Beartown” will recognize his deft touch with character and his ability to find humor in even the darkest situations. But “Anxious People” feels like a step forward, showcasing a new level of structural complexity and thematic richness.

The novel’s format is unconventional, jumping between past and present, shifting perspectives, and blending straightforward narration with interview transcripts and asides to the reader. It shouldn’t work, but somehow Backman pulls it off, creating a narrative that feels organic and alive.

His prose strikes a tricky balance – whimsical and witty on the surface, but with currents of melancholy running underneath. Take this sample:

“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.”

It’s funny, sure. But it also captures something true about the human condition – our fumbling attempts at adulthood, our longing for connection, and our struggles with everyday minutiae. That’s Backman’s gift as a writer—finding the profound in the mundane, the universal in the specific.

A Cast of Lovable Misfits

The real stars of “Anxious People” are its characters. Backman has a knack for creating flawed, relatable people you can’t help but root for. There’s Julia, the pregnant woman grappling with impending motherhood, and her wife Ro, a charming scatterbrain prone to ill-advised hobbies. We meet Roger and Anna-Lena, a retired couple whose bickering masks deeper hurts and regrets.

Then there’s Zara, the successful but lonely banker harboring a painful secret, and Estelle, the elderly widow with hidden depths. Even minor characters like London, the snarky bank teller, leap off the page.

What’s remarkable is how deftly Backman juggles this large ensemble cast, giving each character space to breathe and grow. By the end, you feel like you know these people intimately—their quirks, their fears, and their deepest longings.

The “bank robber” at the center of it all remains somewhat mysterious for much of the novel. But as their backstory unfolds, we come to understand the desperation that drove them to such extremes. It’s a testament to Backman’s skill that he can make us empathize with someone who, on paper, should be the villain of the story.

Themes of Connection and Redemption

At its core, “Anxious People” is about human connection—how we find it, how we lose it, and how it sustains us. The novel explores loneliness in all its forms, from the isolation of grief to the alienation of modern life. But it also shows how unexpected encounters can bridge those gaps between us.

There’s a recurring metaphor of bridges throughout the book, both literal and figurative. Characters stand on the precipice, contemplating endings. But bridges can also represent new beginnings, connections forged.

Backman also tackles themes of forgiveness and second chances. Nearly every character is carrying some form of guilt or regret. The novel asks: how do we move forward from our mistakes? How do we forgive ourselves and others?

These weighty themes are balanced by Backman’s warm humor and compassion for his characters. He never judges them, even at their worst moments. Instead, he invites us to see their humanity, their struggles, and their small triumphs.

A Love Letter to Human Frailty

What elevates “Anxious People” beyond mere comedy is its profound empathy. Backman has a deep understanding of human nature—our fears, our foibles, our capacity for both cruelty and kindness. He captures the anxiety of modern life, but also the moments of grace that make it bearable.

The novel is peppered with keen observations about the human condition.

Like this gem:

“The worst thing a divorce does to a person isn’t that it makes all the time you devoted to the relationship feel wasted, but that it steals all the plans you had for the future.”

Or this one:

“Because perhaps it’s true what they say, that up to a certain age a child loves you unconditionally and uncontrollably for one simple reason: you’re theirs.”

These insights give the story emotional heft, elevating it beyond mere farce. By the end, you’ll find yourself reflecting on your own life, your own anxieties and connections.

A Satisfying Resolution

Without spoiling too much, I’ll say that Backman manages to tie together the novel’s many threads in a way that feels both surprising and inevitable. There are revelations and reversals, moments of catharsis and connection.

Not every loose end is neatly tied up – life is messier than that. But there’s a sense of hope, of new beginnings. Characters who seemed irredeemably stuck find ways to move forward. New relationships form, old wounds begin to heal.

The conclusion strikes a perfect, bittersweet note. There’s joy, but tinged with melancholy. There’s resolution, but also the acknowledgment that life goes on, with all its complications.

Final Thoughts

“Anxious People” is a novel that will make you laugh out loud one moment and reach for the tissues the next. It’s a celebration of human resilience, a testament to the power of empathy and connection.

Backman’s writing is sharp, insightful, and deeply humane. He has a gift for finding the extraordinary in ordinary lives, for seeing the best in even the most difficult people. This novel feels like a warm hug—acknowledging life’s pain and absurdity, but ultimately affirming its beauty and meaning.

If you enjoyed Backman’s previous works, you’ll find much to love here. And if you’re new to his writing, “Anxious People” is a perfect introduction. It’s a novel that will linger in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page, inviting you to look at the world—and the anxious people around you—with a little more compassion.

In a world that often feels divided and chaotic, “Anxious People” is a much-needed reminder of our shared humanity. It’s a novel that will make you laugh, cry, and maybe – just maybe—feel a little less alone in your own anxieties. And really, what more can we ask of fiction?