Anxious People by Fredrik Backman: Even Broken Hearts Can Still Beat in Harmony
A poignant, charming novel about a crime that never took place, a would-be bank robber who disappears into thin air, and eight extremely anxious strangers who find they have more in common than they ever imagined.
Fredrik Backman has a way of handling the blackest of subjects with humour so that at times the reader finds themselves laughing out loud and, very soon after, crying. As in all his books, he deliberately lays trails to mislead the reader, like breadcrumbs deliberately taking a person what appears to be the wrong way in a maze.
Anxious People is a book that lightens your heart and makes you feel grateful for each day. It makes you grateful for shared smiles between strangers, the silences after an argument and that passing “hi” you heard on the subway. It teaches you about how we fail to notice how all our lives are interconnected and how important it is to be empathic.
About the Author
Fredrik Backman, born on June 2, 1981, in Brännkyrka, Sweden, is a renowned Swedish author, columnist, and blogger. He gained international acclaim with his debut novel, “A Man Called Ove”, published in 2012. Backman's works are characterized by their exploration of human relationships, infused with humour and poignant observations. “Anxious People”, originally titled “Folk med ångest”, was first published in Sweden in 2019. The English translation was released on September 8, 2020. “Anxious People” quickly garnered critical acclaim and commercial success. It became an instant #1 New York Times bestseller, reflecting its widespread popularity among readers. In 2021, “Anxious People” was adapted into a Netflix TV series, further expanding its reach and bringing Backman's compelling narrative to a broader audience.
Plot of the Book
The protagonist of the book, a first-time bank robber, tries to rob a cashless bank after a painful divorce. They soon realise their folly but it’s too late since the police are on their way. The robber runs into the building opposite the bank and stumbles upon an apartment with many prospective buyers in it.
In the heat of the moment, bad decisions are taken and it becomes a hostage situation.
Ro and Julia, who are expecting a baby, are arguing because of Jule’s hormones and Ro’s inability to make a decision. But deep down, deeper questions plague them, that is, if they will be able to be good parents.
Anna and Roger seem to argue about everything and he seems to be a boorish old man until the layers peel off and you see that you can be surprised if you give someone a chance to show themselves.
Zara, a bank manager who is fighting with herself is carrying the guilt of a moment for ten years. Will she be able to let go of it?
Will the bank robber succeed in saving themselves? Will all the innocent secrets and little fears find closure during a hostage situation? Are second chances worth it in this beautiful wonderful world?
The book is a comedic commentary on ‘how idiotically difficult being human is.’ How we are all just winging it. This is more clearly seen in Backman’s depiction of parenthood. It reminds you that parents are often just as clueless as we all are. Just trying to find their way, but unlike us, they have little human-sized responsibilities on their shoulders. It also cleverly touches on other themes such as grief, addiction, the precarity of capitalism & of course anxiety. At its core, this is a love letter to humanity. The good, the bad and especially the ugly. Fredrik Backman, clearly and decisively (in ways only he can) reveals how nearly every bitter, anxious, selfish, hurtful thing we do, is just a cry for help. Or more specifically, a cry for connection. All we want is to be understood. To feel less alone and to act less crappy towards the ones we love. But it’s hard because we’re human beings. And human beings are idiots.
What’s with the anxiety?
Anxiety, it is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure. People with anxiety usually have recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns, and may avoid certain situations out of worry. They may also have physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, dizziness or a rapid heartbeat, in other words, panic attacks.
It is interesting that the original Swedish title is “people with angst”. The word “angst” is more general than anxiety, referring also to “fear” and to “apprehension” – in other words, anxiety about or fear of “specific upcoming events”, or a sense of insecurity or lack of confidence.
Between the often-amusing descriptions of unsuccessful interviews with obstinately uncooperative witnesses, Backman intersperses flashbacks to the events in the lives of the people involved, which caused their anxieties and which connect them. It is a mystery within a mystery. In the end, it is all satisfactorily resolved, perhaps too optimistically but nevertheless, it gets sorted.
What Are the Biggest Differences Between ‘Anxious People’ the show and the Book
The overarching theme of both the book and series is the importance of treating all people. No matter how brief your interaction or how disparate your lifestyle or how egregiously they may have wronged you, with kindness and understanding. But there’s an entire storyline in the book dedicated to the financial collapse of the late 2000s and the participation of corporate institutions in a predatory lending structure that ruined so many people’s lives. This is largely absent in the show, which instead chooses to hone in, Ted Lasso-style, on the value of treating people with respect. “Anxious People” might be about a tragic incident, but it is also a very funny, feel-good take on the best and most redeeming aspects of being human.
So, what’s the point?
What is the point of writing such a novel? Readers will not be able to help feeling empathy for the characters – we have all been there (well, in general – not many people rob banks). So what? The point is that the last chapter ends, as the novel begins, with some words of consolation for all the worried, bumbling humans who are just trying their best to cope.
Reading it was like being in an echo chamber, noting, with a sense of recognition, that readers are not alone in their bafflement about everyday problems, and their sense of disconnection from society. Today, more than ever, people are swamped by their circumstances. No surprises there.
My Thoughts
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the way things unfolded, how pieces of the puzzle came together and how new information was revealed precisely at the right time. I thought a majority of the characters were unlikeable but of course the book eventually changed my mind. It exemplifies the idea that the more we know about a person, the harder it is to hate them. When it comes to Fredrik Backman's books, I always expect the most gut wrenching and soul shattering writing, so consider me beyond devastated and sobbing my eyes out when this book exceeded even those expectations. When I tell you there are lines in this that made me cry so hard that I had to pause reading for several hours. I honestly don't know how it is possible for a person to write like this, not even just the writing style itself but also how the story was structured and the way it was told. I loved it so much.
Stories like 'My Friends' are the reason I fell in love with reading and I am so incredibly thankful that I got to read this wonderful book.
