Anxious People

The Washington Times called the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove a "writer of astonishing depth." This moving comedy is about a would-be bank robber who vanishes into thin air, eight incredibly nervous strangers who discover they have more in common than they ever thought, and a crime that never happened.

Normally, seeing a flat doesn't turn into a life-or-death scenario, but this open house turns into just that when an attempted bank robber breaks in and kidnaps everyone inside. The eight strangers gradually start to warm up to one another and divulge long-kept secrets as the pressure builds.

First up is Zara, a rich bank director who, up until a tragic event in her life, was too preoccupied to give a damn about other people. She has developed an obsession with going to open homes to see how regular people live and maybe even remedy historical wrongs. Next up are Roger and Anna-Lena, a retired couple with an Ikea addiction who are always looking for fixer-uppers to cover up the fact that they are unable to save their own failing marriage. Young lesbian couple Julia and Ro, who are also expecting their first child, are anxious about their prospects of having a happy life together since they can't seem to agree on anything. And then there is Estelle, an eighty-year-old lady who has lived long enough to not be impressed by a gun-wielding, masked bank robber. Furthermore, despite what she tells everyone, neither Estelle nor her husband have ever visited the flat to see it for their daughter, nor is it true that he is parked outside.

Tension rises as more profound secrets gradually come to light as police surround the building and live broadcasts of the hostage scenario air. The thief soon has to choose between remaining in the flat with this impossible mix of individuals or facing the police outside, and which is a more terrible scenario.

A gentle reminder to show compassion for all the anxious people we meet on a daily basis, Anxious People's whimsical plot offers unforgettable insights into the human condition, rich with Fredrik Backman's "pitch-perfect dialogue and an unparalleled understanding of human nature" (Shelf Awareness).