Anxious People

This was such a quirky and humorous book. A bank robber who isn't really a bank robber who then finds themself in a hostage situation with a group of unwilling participants, makes this quite the witty novel. The two police men are also a bit of a liability which adds to the general disarray and deliberate confusion of the plot.

Fredrik Backman is a natural born storyteller, for those that have read any of his previous novels will know that his stories are character led. Anxious People has a whole host of colourful characters, each with their own flaws, insecurities and problems, which makes them easy to identify with and feel compassionate towards. I love the way the characters are linked and come together. These heartwarming moments beautifully balance the darker themes of loneliness and suicide that run through the book. I also loved hearing all the character's backstories, especially those of the police men.

There was definitely a lot of surprise elements in this book which kept me on my toes and at times made me go back to find hidden clues that I missed on the first read. I loved how the events and characters came together and thought it was a very satisfying ending. This book highlights the beauty of humankind and how a little act of kindness can go a long way.