Holy. Freaking. Crap. What an amazing book. Anxious People is easily one of my favorite reads of the year. It’s funny, heartfelt, thoughtful, and deeply human — everything I could possibly want from a novel.
There are genuinely hilarious moments throughout this book. Some are delightfully silly; others are sharp and grounded in real emotion. The characters are incredibly well written. You start the story with a dozen or so mysterious strangers, but by the end, every one of them feels like a fully realized human being. Nothing about them is left hanging. The twists and connections between their stories are masterfully handled — I didn’t see most of them coming. And those final chapters? Let’s just say they’ll test even the most stoic reader’s ability to hold back tears.
Lennart ended up being my favorite character. (If you’ve seen the cover of the original Swedish edition — the one looking into the bathroom — that’s him.) Estelle came in a close second. I adored her and even imagined her voice as Carol Kane’s. So you can imagine my excitement when I learned that a film adaption is on the way and Carol Kane is actually in it. I’m really hoping she plays Estelle. Zara took a while to warm up to — she’s abrasive at first — but by the end I couldn’t help but feel for her too. The only character who never quite clicked for me was London, the bank teller, but it wasn’t enough to dampen the story.
The structure of this book is brilliant. Backman tells the story through shifting perspectives, time jumps, and even police interview transcripts. It’s the perfect way to unfold the mystery. Each new revelation answers one question while creating two more, keeping the pages turning. Short chapters, quick transitions, and a perfect rhythm between humor and heartbreak make this a compulsive read.
Empathy is the heart of Anxious People. It’s easy to judge people when we don’t know them. It’s harder to take a step back, to remember that everyone has their own battles. Backman explores loneliness and connection in ways that feel authentic and profound. He reminds us that the people around us — neighbors, coworkers, strangers — might be carrying more than we realize. The book also touches thoughtfully on suicide, showing that help is out there and that human connection can be lifesaving. It’s handled with grace, honesty, and compassion.
Backman’s writing is warm, witty, and deeply engaging. I didn’t realize at first that it was originally written in Swedish, but the translator Neil Smith deserves real credit for capturing Backman’s human and emotional nuance so beautifully. As moving as this story is, it’s also just a joy to read.
For me, this was the perfect introduction to Fredrik Backman. I picked it for my work book club, and I couldn’t be happier with that decision. It’s ideal for readers who enjoy a good mystery that isn’t about murder, love witty and clever writing, and don’t mind having their heartstrings tugged — hard. Anxious People made me laugh, made me think, and made me cry. And if you didn’t figure it out already, I gave this one a full 5 stars.
