A review by sj_54
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

dark funny mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.25

Context: Had to read this for a book club. Would have DNFed otherwise. 

Characters were one-dimensional until the last 1/4 of the book or so, then everything got tied up with a nice 'wholesome message, everyone gets a happily-ever-after' bow.

Maybe it's me but I have no patience for authors who introduce characters by their most annoying traits. Then expect us to like them by the end?? I don't even know how I feel about the story itself because it was such a struggle to listen (audiobook) to everyone whine and complain about each other for the first 3/4 of the book.

Extra things that I disliked: all the terrible stereotypes. Old lady is introduced as invisible/inconsequential because of her age, lesbians got together through an affair, super rich person who looks down on everyone else has hidden feelings that mean she's just like the rest of us.
Oh and
the bank robber is never referred to with any pronouns and GASP it's a woman when everyone assumed it was a man! Can we please drop the 'surprise! women are never expected to do dangerous things!' twist, it's so tired...
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