ANXIOUS PEOPLE

by Fredrik Backman

I’ve written before about how when I read a book that I really enjoy, I try to read other books by that same author.  It often opens a whole range of new books to me.  Similarly, if I read a book by an author and don’t like it, I’m less likely to pick up another book by that author.  I think I was the only person alive that didn’t love Fredrick Backman’s A Man Called Ove.  I believe its appeal  may hinge on Backman’s humor as he describes his protagonist, a grouchy, old Swedish man who finds little to enjoy in life. Only I didn’t think either the man or Backman’s writing was particularly humorous.  In fact, I found it quite tedious. Based on that book, I really hadn’t really paid attention to any of Backman’s other books.

Then I heard Backman interviewed on Elin Hilderbrand’s podcast “Books, Beach and Beyond.”  He was articulate, thoughtful, humble and really quite charming.  So, I decided to explore his “Beartown” trilogy.  I’m currently reading Book 3 in that trilogy:  The Winners, and have enjoyed the series immensely.  But, somewhere between Book 1 and Book 2 of the trilogy, I decided to read Anxious People, probably his most successful book since A Man Called Ove.  And despite liking the Beartown trilogy, Anxious People definitely was not my cup of tea. I find something almost cloying – like fingernails on a blackboard –when Backman writes humor. And I think I enjoy the Beartown series because it isn’t written to be funny.  The Beartown series offers a thoughtful and insightful examination of a small town that’s crazy about hockey. Backman creates a compelling group of characters and explores their interconnections. I absolutely tore through the first two books – at over 600 pages each -- and made myself save the third book to enjoy later.

So, if I’ve learned a lesson from all of this Backman reading, it is that I can’t judge an author by only one book.  There may be a treasure trove out there that  I’m missing if I give up too soon. (Liz)

(Read Lily's January 2022 review of Anxious People here)