Fallen Anxious People

Ranked one of Teghann’s top books of 2020!

Hello again, friends. I hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween! Now that spooky season is over, it’s time for me to get back into reviewing regular novels again. So, on that note, this post is about Fredrik Backman’s latest novel, Anxious People. I struggled finding a drink pun for this one, but ultimately landed on exchanging “anxious” for “angel” and making a Fallen Angel/Fallen Anxious. I am super excited to get into talking about this novel, so I hope you enjoy this review and try the cocktail!

Fallen Angel Recipe

2oz Gin

0.25oz Creme de Menthe

1oz Lemon Juice

0.25oz Simple Syrup

1oz Lingonberry Syrup*

2 dashes Bitters

1 Mint Leaf

*Lingonberry syrup is optional.

In a shaker with ice, combine gin, creme de menthe, lemon juice, simple syrup, and bitters. Then shake for approximately 10 seconds. Next, strain into a couple glass. To finish off, pour the lingonberry syrup directly into the coupe to produce the layered effect. Then just remember to mix together before drinking (warning—the mixed drink does not look as pretty as the layers). You can also add a mint leaf for a garnish, which is how a Fallen Angel is normally served, but I liked the look of mine without it! And, of course, the lingonberry syrup is completely optional as it is just my special book-themed ingredient.

I chose to use lingonberry syrup because Anxious People takes place in Sweden. And what’s more Swedish than IKEA? Nothing. And where’s the only place you can buy lingonberry syrup in Canada? That’s right, IKEA. Beyond that, two characters in the novel are fixer-uppers who love to talk about how they’ve been to every IKEA in Sweden. In terms of taste, I 100% preferred the cocktail with the lingonberry syrup. Without it I thought it kind of tasted like mouthwash (creme de menthe is strong).

P.S. Depending on the creme de menthe you buy your drink will look a little different than mine. I used green creme de menthe, but sometimes it’s sold clear. If yours is clear then feel free to mix all ingredients together in the shaker as you will end up with a red colour. But, if yours is green like mine, the layering looks significantly nicer than the final mixed colour!

Anxious People Synopsis

(from book cover)

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.

The captives include a recently retired couple who relentlessly hunt down fixer-uppers to avoid the painful truth that they can’t fix their own marriage, a wealthy banker who has been too busy making money to care about anyone else, a young couple who are about to have their first child but can’t seem to agree on anything, an eighty-year-old woman who has lived long enough not to be afraid of someone waving a gun in her face, a flustered but still-ready-to-make-a-deal real estate agent, and a mystery man who has locked himself in the apartment’s only bathroom.

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. 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.

Review

“Because everyone loves someone, and anyone who loves someone has had those desperate nights where we lie awake trying to figure out how we can afford to carry on being human beings.”

This book… I don’t even know where to begin. I’m obsessed with it. I already want to read it again. I genuinely spent an hour debating which quote to use for the opening of this section because I had so many saved! It is beautifully written, touching, and funny. I tore through this book while at the same time wanting to savour it and have it never end. I laughed, I cried, I felt practically every emotion possible while reading this.

The writing of Anxious People is truly exemplary and evokes so much emotion—both positive and negative. Backman has a magnificent ability to make you laugh while you cry and make even the most horrible of situations humorous and filled with love. To clarify, it’s not a depressive sob that happens when reading this, it’s more of a nostalgic sadness. This is because practically every line of the novel is relatable and funny, but also brings about a quiet contemplation about being an adult. And it makes you think of your own life and situation in such a deep, meaningful, somehow comedic way.

Backman’s writing style reminds me of Tom Robbins, one of my favourite authors. It’s funny and witty, but showcases some beautifully thought out sentences. And, similar to Robbins, Backman’s novel doesn’t take itself too seriously. It is clearly the writing of someone who enjoys what they do and knows how to draw people in and keep them wanting more.

As seems to be the case with all the books I really like, this novel has heavy themes of suicide, depression, and loneliness. But, it handles these topics in a completely unique way from the other novels. It takes a wonderfully funny approach to talking about these terrible things. And it seems weird, and almost wrong, to say that a book that centres around depression and suicide is funny, but it is and it’s done so well. Backman handles the heaviness and darkness of these themes delicately, respectfully, and beautifully. Unlike My Dark Vanessa, I didn’t feel angry, upset, or depressed throughout reading Anxious People. I felt understood and like I’m not alone in thinking the way I do sometimes.

The characters are also lovely. They’re idiots (Backman’s words, not mine), but they’re loveable idiots. And who doesn’t sympathize with a loveable idiot? Furthermore, they are all unique, interesting, and layered. I genuinely was rooting for every one of them, even if I didn’t really like them. They are realistic and the way they interact with each other is touching, funny, and completely believable. The characters in this bank robbery gone wrong story highlight the best in humanity, at a time when we all could do with seeing a little more good in the world.

My only downside to this novel was that it was a bit repetitive at times. I think this was done for comedic purposes, but it felt unnecessary in certain situations. Apart from that, the novel was perfect.

Anxious People reminds you that you don’t have to do it alone, nobody quite knows how to be a proper adult, and there’s always another option or someone to help. And I think everyone needs to be reminded of these things once in a while. So, a book that can do that while keeping you entertained and giggling is a winner to me. After this one and My Dark Vanessa, I think I’m going to have to update my “My Favourite Books” section of the blog and buy every other novel of Backman’s! I sincerely recommend you read this book and, if you really don’t want to, the drink is a fun one to try as well.

My Rating:

Thanks for reading! And, if you read the book or try the cocktail let me know in a comment, on Instagram, or in person (if you know me). Also, if you haven’t yet read my previous reviews, I recommend reading Where the Crawdads Sing, Truths I Never Told You, and My Dark Vanessa if you liked this one!

Teghann

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