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    Anxious People: A Novel
    Anxious People: A Novel
    Anxious People: A Novel
    Audiobook9 hours

    Anxious People: A Novel

    Written by Fredrik Backman

    Narrated by Marin Ireland

    4.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    An instant #1 New York Times bestseller, the new novel from the author of A Man Called Ove is a “quirky, big-hearted novel….Wry, wise and often laugh-out-loud funny, it’s a wholly original story that delivers pure pleasure” (People).

    Looking at real estate isn’t usually a life-or-death situation, but an apartment open house becomes just that when a failed bank robber bursts in and takes a group of strangers hostage. The captives include a recently retired couple who relentlessly hunt down fixer-uppers to avoid the painful truth that they can’t fix their own marriage. There’s a wealthy bank director who has been too busy to care about anyone else and a young couple who are about to have their first child but can’t seem to agree on anything. Add to the mix an eighty-seven-year-old woman who has lived long enough not to be afraid of someone waving a gun in her face, a flustered but still-ready-to-make-a-deal real estate agent, and a mystery man who has locked himself in the apartment’s only bathroom, and you’ve got the worst group of hostages in the world.

    Each of them carries a lifetime of grievances, hurts, secrets, and passions that are ready to boil over. None of them is entirely who they appear to be. And all of them—the bank robber included—desperately crave some sort of rescue. As the authorities and the media surround the premises, these reluctant allies will reveal surprising truths about themselves and set in motion a chain of events so unexpected that even they can hardly explain what happens next.

    Proving once again that Backman is “a master of writing delightful, insightful, soulful, character-driven narratives” (USA TODAY), Anxious People “captures the messy essence of being human….It’s clever and affecting, as likely to make you laugh out loud as it is to make you cry” (The Washington Post). This “endlessly entertaining mood-booster” (Real Simple) is proof that the enduring power of friendship, forgiveness, and hope can save us—even in the most anxious of times.

    Editor's Note

    A feel-good charmer…

    If you’re looking for an uplifting read (and who isn’t these days), this feel-good charmer from “A Man Called Ove” author Fredrik Backman is sure to boost your spirits and restore your belief in the power of community.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSimon & Schuster Audio
    Release dateSep 8, 2020
    ISBN9781797105833
    Author

    Fredrik Backman

    Fredrik Backman, a blogger and columnist. He is the New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove and My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry. Both were number one bestsellers in his native Sweden and around the world, and are being published in more than thirty five territories. He lives in Stockholm with his wife and two children.

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    Reviews for Anxious People

    4.5/5

    4,205 ratings238 reviews

    What did you think?

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      You can’t go wrong with this author. The writing is so good that I myself reading about things and characters that wouldn’t normally interest me. And while the plot isn’t necessarily that realistic, the characters are, the humor is spot on, and the underlying message is one that we all need to hear.

      2 people found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Don’t let the annoying real estate lady stop you from reading this beautiful, beautiful book. It’s about many things but it’s mainly about a couple of idiots. I laughed, cried, and was annoyed by some of these people - rightfully so. I wanted to know what happened but I also didn’t want it to end. The writing is deep and moving and not the least bit pretentious. It keeps you engaged in the story with minimal details about people but somehow sums them up perfectly. Like you’ve known these people for years. Flaws and all. I felt like I was there with them. The narration was also beautiful. I’m so happy I picked this book ?

      2 people found this helpful

    • 5/5
      An excellent book. Touching and captivating, this book reminds us of how beautiful life is.

      2 people found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Hands down best book I read in 2020. Hands down best audio book ever listened to!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      It has been a long time since I have gotten hooked into a novel. This books draws you in from the beginning and will make you laugh and cry. It is a heartfelt book that and points to our common humanity. The author does an incredible job dealing with the emotions and complexities of life through his brilliant characters. You won’t regret reading this.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      One of the best books I've ever read/listened to. Deep thoughts perfectly combined with humorousness and heartwarmingness. Just loved it.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Every time I read another Fredrick Backman book, it becomes my new favorite, so this book is my new favorite book of all time. His characters feel so REAL. His stories are fascinating and unpredictable, and I've never read any other author who could make me blubber-cry and double over laughing within 60 seconds of each other. This writer has an extraordinary gift!! And this is an extraordinary book!! And somehow I know, the NEXT Backman book I read is going to be my new favorite.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 1/5
      Made it abt 10 chapters in and I just can’t get past the narration - California valley girl narrating a cast of Swedish characters is just mind boggling - especially when Marin’s interpretation makes the teen and the realtor absolutely unbearable… she has range, but would be a thousand times better suited for a children or ya’s novel.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I loved everything about this book! The perfect mix of humor and thinking and mystery.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      It holds all the elements of humanity. It is poignant, funny, sad...speaks boldly to the heart. You will leave with life’s most critical message seared forever into your bones. Also beautifully written.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I hated this book at first and wasn’t going to finish it. It was scattered and so chaotic that it made me have anxiety. I read a few reviews and decided to give it a second chance...and it was absolutely beautiful.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      It was hard to stop listening. The author proficiently plays with our minds throughout the whole book. The narrating was amazing as well.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      First time reading this author and not the last. Great interweaving characters and a few lessons in life.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I loved this narrator, she really brought the book to life. Such a beautiful and unique story! Must listen/read!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I thought this book was very entertaining. I loved how the author intertwined all the characters throughout the story wall catching on mini subjects that I could relate to. I would recommend this book.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Compelling style, brilliant sense of humor, tight plot. I highly recommend this novel.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Absolutely recommend listening to this book! I feel like the narrator did such a good job keeping me engaged. It was very easy to differentiate the different characters. That being said, there is a mix of heavy topics (suicide, depression, poverty, divorce) which I wasn’t expecting. The humor through the book balanced out those heavier topics and overall made the book so enjoyable. Highly recommend!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Is a little hard at first. Some of the characters really get on your nerves. Keep reading you’ll find out why. Very good

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Omg! Sooo good. It started off a bit...interesting but soon after I was hooked. So different from anything I've read. Such an entertaining, well rounded, heartfelt, funny book. I laughed ibcried. Shocking turns everywhere! I mostly listened to the audio book but read some of it when able. Then I found out there's a Netflix show based on it. Excited to check that out & see how the amazing characters are portrayed.
      Highly recommend. One of the top books I've read.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      This is the best book I’ve read in a long time. I love everything about it — the plot, the characters, the connections everywhere. Plus the narrator is EXCEPTIONAL. Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Wow! I'm dying to have a physical copy of this book. I would rate this as one of the best books I finished in my entire life. What a beautiful novel.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      One of my top favorite! A very well put together book follows multiple characters. Breath of fresh air! I actually shed a tear at the end.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      This book is amazing, read it in a day. I love everything about it ❤️

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      A book about stupid people, a bridge and a hostage drama. But beyond that about connection and humanity.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I loved this book, so real, and touching. Thank you

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      The best part of the story is found in the last three chapters.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Persevere past the middle of the book. It is very much worth it. I almost couldn't stand the arrogance, obtuseness, of some of the hostages in their interviews, and the dialogue amongst the apartment viewers during first part of the apartment showing, but once past this, I almost cried several times through the rest of the book. Some is funny, and there are many very sweet moments too. Finish listening to this book. It was wonderful.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      This book was so much fun. Really hated the characters at first, but they really grew on me! Also I absolutely loved the audiobook narrator; she did a great job of giving each voice its own personality.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Interesting book that gives you perspective how it is, and how it feels to suffer from anxiety.But more important it is a book about how human lives intertwine, even if we don't want to acknowledge that. I really enjoyed this book.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Totally loved this book: witty, ironic and emotional, yet full of surprises. Just gives you a great boost and restores your confidence in humanity ? Will definitely read more by this author!

      1 person found this helpful