Anxious People: A Novel

Complexity of people shines

This was an engaging read but not a easy one. I found myself needing to take notes on characters throughout to keep track. It’s not a book to read in parallel with 3 others! A situation of happenstance that brings a bunch of very different people together.....you learn about each in flashbacks and stories told between them. Suicide, grief, alcoholism, loneliness, the evolution of relationships through time and what we will sacrifice for our children are major themes.

DNF! I tried reading this for my neighbors book club. I found the beginning interesting but then I had to force myself to read a few pages at a time and finally had to dnf at 32%. This book triggered me in ways I can’t explain, I just could not handle the stress and literal anxiety reading this gave me. I understand the point of the book, i understand what the author was doing. HOWEVER, the conversations between the characters are toxic. The amount of circular conversations gave me PTSD and if you’ve ever been in a relationship with a covert narcissist you probably understood what I’m talking about. But to sum it up, if you want to know what it’s like having a discussion with my narcissistic ex husband, pretend you’re the cops in this book. This book showed me that I’m not as healed from the trauma as I had originally thought. Perhaps one day I’ll be able to try reading this again and get through to the end.

Mei Ling's recommendation.

Why is this the FIRST book I've read by Frederik Backman when it's around his eighth?! Friends have been slacking in their recommendations because this book was amazing! Not sure I'd categorize it as "humor" but it did have some laugh out loud moments. Two words - Rabbit Crapper. How to describe this book? Fredrik Backman tells us that it is a story about many things but mostly, idiots. He also tells us that we are all doing the best we can and one of my key takeaways was if we all took a moment to listen to each other, there would be less idiocy. This aptly titled book explores how complicated and messy life can be and that everyone is interconnected as human beings. On the surface, this story is about an Open House that is interrupted by a criminal trying to flee the scene of a botched bank robbery, but there are hidden depths to each character that are slowly revealed to the reader. Even a few twists along the way. The message of - we are all fellow travelers in this thing called everyday life - stays with you. Perfect read for the year that was 2020. This book was a very emotional and yet, quick read with some passages hitting harder than others. Certain passages were felt in your gut as you read, "...your anxieties briefly brushed against mine as the fibers of our coats touch momentarily on a crowded sidewalk somewhere. We never really know what we do to each other..." And, "It just hurts so much at times, being human. Not understanding yourself, not liking the body you're stuck in." Despite these somewhat heavy passages, the story flows and is a quick read. It has an uplifting message and will make me all the more thankful this holiday season. Best part? Backman knows how to write and his words carry an emotional punch without knocking you out. I will be reading ALL of his other books.

The BEST book I've read in a really really long time. I highly recommend it. I read it on Libby and I finished it a few minutes ago - I feel like it changed the way I look at everything and definitely got me out of my reading slump. :star::star::star::star::star: