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Anxious People

A Novel

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Anxious People

By: Fredrik Backman
Narrated by: Marin Ireland
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Soon to be a major motion picture!

This instant #1 New York Times bestseller about a crime that never takes place, a would-be bank robber who disappears into thin air, and eight extremely anxious strangers who find they have more in common than they ever imagined is a “wry, wise, and often laugh-out-loud funny” (People).

Looking at real estate isn’t usually a life-or-death situation, but an apartment open house becomes just that when a failed bank robber bursts in and takes a group of strangers hostage. Each of them carries a lifetime of grievances, hurts, secrets, and passions that are ready to boil over. None of them is entirely who they appear to be. And all of them—the bank robber included—desperately crave some sort of rescue. In short, they are the worst group of hostages in the world.

As the authorities and the media surround the premises, these reluctant allies will reveal surprising truths about themselves and set in motion a chain of events so unexpected that even they can hardly explain what happens next.

Proving once again that Backman is “a master of writing delightful, insightful, soulful, character-driven narratives” (USA TODAY), Anxious People “captures the messy essence of being human….It’s clever and affecting, as likely to make you laugh out loud as it is to make you cry” (The Washington Post). This “endlessly entertaining mood-booster” (Real Simple) is proof that the enduring power of friendship, forgiveness, and hope can save us—even in the most anxious of times. Friendship Genre Fiction Literature & Fiction
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Reviews

"Marin Ireland uses her many theatrical gifts in her fine narration of this bittersweet novel. The listener is treated to an exceptional audio experience in which the narrator plays all the parts with nuance and wit. She modulates her pace and tone as she brings this human comedy to life. At once a send-up of Swedish mores and a deeply humane story of contemporary struggles, this novel has characters galore—a banker with a guilty conscience, a father-and-son police team, an inept bank robber who just wants to make rent, an endearing 87-year-old woman who loves books, among others. Often laugh-out-loud funny, the set piece revolves around the taking of 'the worst group of hostages ever.' This is an audiobook to savor."
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It's been a while I did not cry and laugh so much at the same time. The story is so powerful and feels so real, it's the story about us. It is well told and the narrator does an amazing job. Thank you!

So deep

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The story is super interesting, the narrator is pleasing and the writing is fluid.

One of the best books I've listened to !!

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I'm torn between thinking " brilliant" idea and being very annoyed at all the silliness and constant blabbering!

what a pity

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I recommend! Kind, funny, full of good vibes. Narration is also very fitting and to the point

Great book

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I've never read a Fredrik Backman story before this one so I went in completely blind. The premise of the novel is that a whole bunch of people (including a "rabbit") are being held hostage by a "bank robber" whose day has gone completely wrong from the get-go. Also, two policemen are trying to put the pieces of what the heck happened together. Also, let me just casually mention "Stockholmers." There. I love connected storylines and funny characters. I think you have to go in and not expect anything in particular about the novel to fully enjoy it. This was one hell of a ride! My emotions were all over the place as you go from laughter to sorrow and back to laughter again in the span of many chapters. I need to add that Marin Ireland was a really fun reader to listen to. Some of the voices she used were a bit childish at times (another reviewer mentioned it too). In the end though, there was just so much dialogue (and almost a dozen characters) that it was easier for me to follow who was who thanks to that.

I enjoy reading about idiots

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