Anxious People

If you want to curl up on the couch with a book on a cold, dreary day, Anxious People fits the bill. It even takes place around the holidays.

One December 30th, a bank robber demands cash from a cashless bank. When that doesn't pan out for obvious reasons, the bank robber flees and runs through the first open door he finds, inadvertently crashing an apartment viewing. An open house suddenly morphs into a hostage situation. The police are called, or they would be, if anyone could get a signal. When they finally do show up, things only become more convoluted.

The premise is ridiculous and funny. Backman strikes the right balance between the absurd and the mundane, levity and sentimentality, and weaves in enough mystery to keep you invested. At first you hate everyone, or at least I did. But the characters' lives intertwine in unlikely ways, and as they reveal more about themselves and learn more about one another, their harsh edges soften. They recognize the humanity in each other, and in turn you see the humanity in them.

Not all of the twists worked for me, and some of the social commentary felt trite. But at the end of a year like 2020, I figure we could use reminding that all any of us can do is save who we can and show mercy. Maybe especially to ourselves.

I can't think of many books to compare this to, but if you like Barry, It's a Disaster, Knives Out, or are an anxious person, try Anxious People. Content warning for suicide.