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Anxious People
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Anxious People: Reviews by 2021 Reading Challengers
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Yay! My pick! Will start next week. :)
On order! Should have it Saturday:)
Okay, leaving my review from last fall here--it's nothing stellar as I read Far Too Many books last year between Covid and a 9 month, intense team reading game.3 stars
Rating this novel proved to be quite a conundrum for me, so I have simply averaged it after waiting 14 hours from when I finished it to even think about this. For the first 60 pages I was horrified to think that Backman had finally written a novel I didn't like--I have read all of his books (I haven't read his short story about a troll) and have rated 2 of those 5 stars, 3 of them 4 stars and 2 of them 3 stars, but this managed to be a three, which averages to a like. And none of this has to do with the different structure of the novel, either--I was fine with that.
There were things I loved about this novel, things I liked about it, things I didn't like about it and things I hated about it. It's not often I come across a novel where I have such a broad spectrum--and I mean the actual novel rather than I loved the writing but didn't like a dark theme or something. Anything I liked about it would lead to a spoiler as would most of what I don't like about it. Suffice it to say that I still think Backman is a very strong contemporary novelist and I will read his next novel whenever that may be.
Finished this yesterday and loved the humour, the cast of quirky characters and how it touched on some pretty deep themes with a light touch to make you think. I have read most of Backman's books and I would put this up there as one of my favourites.I liked how the structure kept you guessing as to the full story of what happened, even if a couple of times it grated a little. Similarly with the characters, I enjoyed how they were slowly fleshed out in quite a natural way, through their words and small actions, and how we come to understand (view spoiler)
All in all a great read which is all about the themes and the characters and not so much about the (pretty unrealistic) plot that brings it all together. The mystery element of the plot did add something for me but this is much more about mental health, relationships, empathy and the difference between what we show on the surface and the anxieties and struggles hidden beneath.
This isn't my favorite Backman book. I thought that the story was too choppy. Like the characters at the police station I couldn't imagine people talking to the cops the way these people did. I could see maybe one character giving back talk, but all the characters? I did like the twist with the bank robber. Goes to show that both sexes can be pushed to do extreme things
I finished this one yesterday. Wasn't sure if I would as I couldn't finish one of his previous books (Beartown) and I'm a hockey fan! This was easy enough to read. Not nearly as good as A Man Called Ove, but a little along the same lines. Some of the characters were easier to like than others. Glad I read it.
I finished this book today. I've not met a Fredrik Backman book I havent loved yet- I rated it 5/5 stars on Goodreads and here is my review: I absolutely loved this book. It was quirky, full of surprises, twists and turns I didn't see coming. The characters were so endearing (some at first took a while to grow on me). So many favorites in the plot development as we got to know a group of strangers who had gathered for an apartment viewing and a want-to -be -through- desperate-circumstances bank robber, come accidental hostage taker. I genuinely laughed big belly laughs in so much of this book. An absolute joy to read. a quote I really loved that resonated with me was from Estelle "... people need fairy tales as well, not just narrative".
Heather wrote: "This isn't my favorite Backman book. I thought that the story was too choppy. Like the characters at the police station I couldn't imagine people talking to the cops the way these people did. I cou..."I agree! Not a fav book. It got such great reviews!
3/5?I read this in January so my memory is a bit foggy.
I've never read anything by Backman, so I can't compare to his other stuff, but I honestly don't really know what I thought of this book.
I'm not used to reading witty, funny books, but I did actually like the humour and tone of this book. It was also a very easy read because of the short chapters, and I liked how everything slowly started to piece together, although I found it a bit repetitive at times.
I guess the reason I'm giving it 3 stars is because I found the characters SO ANNOYING at first and found there was some very big stereotypes used (like the girl who worked at the bank). I thought character development was good though for some of the characters as I did start to sympathise with some of them, although sometimes some of the characters merged into one to me.
I finished this book today and ended up loving it! Im happy I stuck with it! MC Zara got me hooked.
It took me a while to get into this book, but I’m happy I stuck with it. In the beginning I was very confused why characters had no names, but I liked how we slowly introduced to each person. The story unfolded nicely and I couldn’t put my copy down once I was hooked. 5/5.
For me this was a book of two halves. I got halfway through and thought about giving it up as I found quite a lot of it tedious and unfunny - and didn’t feel I could stand another Stockholmer joke. I soldiered on and found the second half much better with better insights into the characters and some clever subversion of reader expectations. Ok but not inspired to read any of his other books based on this experience.
Heather wrote: "This isn't my favorite Backman book. I thought that the story was too choppy. Like the characters at the police station I couldn't imagine people talking to the cops the way these people did. I cou..."Agreed in that this is one of my lowest rated Backman novels, but by the end it managed to get 3 stars from me. I had slightly different things I didn't like about it, though.
Valerie wrote: "For me this was a book of two halves. I got halfway through and thought about giving it up as I found quite a lot of it tedious and unfunny - and didn’t feel I could stand another Stockholmer joke...."Yes, the second half was better than the first, IMO.
I wasn’t exactly sure how to feel in the first half. I ended up feeling very indifferent, but all of the loose ends tie themselves up at the end and I kind of came away feeling very impressed that it all came together. I will say that I felt kind of confused throughout part of it. However, the commentary about anxiety and the different stages of life for people really spoke to me. I rated it 4/5, but I think it was more of a 3.75/5 for me. Glad I ended up reading it though!
I loved this book so much! It made me smile, it made me laugh, and also squeezed my heart so hard at times that I got some tears in my eyes.I know some people didnt quite like the book and especially the way characters spoke to the police. It seemed weird for me at first too, until the moment where it became clear why they were doing that. Everything was completely understandable and logic. It is just the way this book went, little by little the story opened one character after another, and you could see how everything in this story is important and connected.
I also love how Fredrik Bachman finds explanation to the most grumpiest and unlikeble characters. He simply gives hope that it isnt all that bad with this humanity :).
As usual for me with Fredrik Backman's books, I absolutely loved this one! I agree with others who have said they didn't like the beginning. I actually started it in September, but set it aside because it didn't grab me right away. I knew it would come together, though, as his books always do.I loved the way he added layers to the story as he simultaneously peeled layers off the characters. I would never have predicted the depth of some of them (view spoiler) I think my favorite thing about Backman's writing is the way he sneaks up on you with his insights, sometimes presenting them with his very dry humor, and sometimes with a sudden seriousness that it leaves you stunned and re-reading the paragraph, just so you can process it.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it!! The writing style was different and I enjoyed the change of pace. It is definitely a story that is more about the journey than the destination. After seeing the other reviews here and finding out that this is many people’s least favorite book by this author, I am excited to read another of his! A Man Called Ove is definitely on my TBR! Thanks for this Book of the Month!
I couldn’t highlight all of the truths contained in this book, as I would have been quoting the whole thing. Backman starts off laying down the truth about the anxieties we all feel. I would caution readers, don’t start this book in an anxiety spiral. That wasn’t helpful. But I loved everything and it definitely outweighed me starting the book at an inopportune time. Definitely worth reading! 5 stars
Loved it!! The humor, the characters, the unpredictable story line - a winner for me.
Just checking in quickly on my phone, but I LOVED every second of this book! I laughed so many times while reading it. Any time I began to wonder what was happening, Backman snapped me right back into the story. I adored the fact that in the end I understood exactly why the interviews proceeded as they did. I kept wondering if it wasn’t the result of a group effort for some reason... 😀
Karin wrote: "Okay, leaving my review from last fall here--it's nothing stellar as I read Far Too Many books last year between Covid and a 9 month, intense team reading game.3 stars
Rating this novel proved..."
I'm just glad this one book didn't ruin your impression of Backman's writing! Sorry it didn't work as well for you as it did for me... 😕🤗
Gillian wrote: "Finished this yesterday and loved the humour, the cast of quirky characters and how it touched on some pretty deep themes with a light touch to make you think. I have read most of Backman's books a..."Agreed! You stated my own feelings very well!
However, I felt the plot was believable. I can imagine being put into a seemingly winless situation and struggling to discover a way out...any way at all...just a way to at least keep surviving, if not to win outright.
Heather wrote: "This isn't my favorite Backman book. I thought that the story was too choppy. Like the characters at the police station I couldn't imagine people talking to the cops the way these people did. I cou..."I'm so glad you mention the sex of the bank robber! (view spoiler)
Kerrie wrote: "I finished this book today. I've not met a Fredrik Backman book I havent loved yet- I rated it 5/5 stars on Goodreads and here is my review:I absolutely loved this book. It was quirky, full of surprises, twists and turns I didn't see coming. The characters were so endearing (some at first took a while to grow on me). So many favorites in the plot development as we got to know a group of strangers who had gathered for an apartment viewing and a want-to -be -through- desperate-circumstances bank robber, come accidental hostage taker. I genuinely laughed big belly laughs in so much of this book. An absolute joy to read. a quote I really loved that resonated with me was from Estelle "... people need fairy tales as well, not just narrative"."
Yes, I love that quote as well! So very true, IMO!
Kimber~☆♡Love of Books♡☆ wrote: "I finished this book today and ended up loving it! Im happy I stuck with it! MC Zara got me hooked."Zara was a trip, wasn't she? I felt so very sorry for her...(view spoiler)
Quotes:We save those we can. (page 332)
It has taken me most of my adult life to learn this. I cannot 'help' everyone I encounter, let alone 'save' them, but perhaps I can do some little something to help make their day a bit better along the way... It is my mission to at least try!
...when you get home this evening, when this day is over and the night takes us, allow yourself a deep breath. Because we made it through this day as well.
There'll be another one along tomorrow. (page 336)
Somewhat the same messages as I encountered in The Midnight Library! Two of my favorite reads so far this year!
Elina wrote: "I also love how Fredrik Bachman finds explanation to the most grumpiest and unlikeble characters. He simply gives hope that it isnt all that bad with this humanity :)."Yes! This! A thousand times this!!
I just finished the book and am delighted with the story and the characters. In the end, this book leaves me with the same feeling as in the book "A Man Named Ove": regardless of who we are, we are driven by the same worries, the same feelings, and the same losses. I loved this book.
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