Written by Ally Abruscato, Graphic by Anna Porter
If you’re a longtime fan of “I’m Booked,” you might remember my first-ever book review back in 2022 of “A Man Called Ove.” The novel tells the story of a grumpy elderly man finding his way in the world after the passing of his wife. Fredrik Backman writes in an entertaining and casual tone that makes the reader feel like they’re in someone else’s mind. Backman continues with his theme of complex characters in his novel “Anxious People.”
Although there are no grumpy elderly men in “Anxious People,” there is a diverse cast of unhappy souls. The book uncovers a bank robbery and the ensuing hostage situation from many different perspectives. After a bank robber mysteriously disappears from the scene of the crime, a father-son police duo is forced to question the witnesses while they unpack their own trauma. While it may seem like a chilling thriller, the scariest part of “Anxious People” is the thoughts running through everyone’s heads.
Backman writes with his trademark wit, creating an enjoyable and seemingly light read. However, the book’s overarching theme is mental health awareness, an extremely serious and important topic. Backman handles it well by creating moments of realness throughout the story that leave the reader in awe. Through direct writing and layered characters, Backman manages to find a balance between comedy and sincerity.
By constantly switching storylines and perspectives, “Anxious People” becomes a quick read that keeps the audience on their toes. Considering the plot is driven by a mystery, there are plenty of unexpected twists that definitely left me surprised. Similar to “A Man Called Ove,” there is a T.V. adaptation of “Anxious People” on Netflix that I have yet to see. It could be an exciting double feature, though!
“Anxious People” is full of thought-provoking quotes, but one of my favorites is, “We don’t have a plan, we just do our best to get through the day, because there’ll be another one coming along tomorrow.”
This heart-warming book is a must-read for anyone interested in a good laugh and provocative discussion of mental health. I’ll be back soon for another book review, but until then, I’m Booked.
As Editor-in-Chief, Ally Abruscato leads and supports a talented group of staff and contributors in pursuing their creative endeavors. At SCAD, Ally majors in Photography and minors in Advertising & Branding. She regularly offers pop culture insights through movie reviews, articles and her weekly column, “I’m Booked.” When she’s not writing or taking photos, Ally’s probably outside, reading or running.
