Moments of laughter, tears, and shock await.
This was my favourite book of 2024, out of the 15 I read that year. I devoured it in three days because the intrigue made it impossible to put down.
This book arrived in my life as a birthday gift from my brother, one he had read, loved, and felt I needed to experience for myself. I had never read Fredrik Backman before, so I opened it with no expectations, just curiosity. I started it on a quiet Saturday in October and finished it two days later, completely swept up in the story. Every twist sent me straight to my brother, the only person who understood each gasp and grin.
Why this one caught my eye
The cover is instantly striking. A bold red with illustrated apartment windows offering glimpses into other lives. The raised lettering of the title and author adds a subtle tactile charm that makes the book feel special in your hands. The title fits the story perfectly.
A quick look at the book
Anxious People is a contemporary novel by Swedish author Fredrik Backman. It was first published in Swedish in 2019 and later translated into English, opening the story to so many more readers.
Backman captures the quiet struggles and hidden hopes of ordinary people, balancing wit with deep emotional truth.
It explores mental health, cross‑generational relationships, family dynamics, and financial and economic pressures, while unpacking what it truly means to forgive others and yourself. Set in a small Swedish town, the story unfolds with a gentle Scandinavian charm.
Its very high rating on Goodreads, from an exceptionally large number of readers, speaks to how deeply it resonates.
What stayed with me
Humour, drama, intrigue, and mystery intertwine seamlessly in this gem of a book. I laughed, cried, and gasped, sometimes all within a few pages. Each reveal, whether small or significant, reframed a character or moment I thought I understood. Some reveals stopped me for a moment, and I needed to absorb what I’d just learned. One line in particular lingered long after I closed the book:
We need to be allowed to convince ourselves that we are more than the mistakes we made yesterday. That we are all of our next choices too. All of our tomorrows.
By the end, I saw most of the characters differently, with a deeper understanding of how much we assume and how often we are wrong. This story made me pause more than once to reflect on the fragility of life, the complexity of people, and how often we misread what is right in front of us.
As the layers peeled back, I found myself connecting more deeply with the cast. What begins as a chaotic, almost absurd situation slowly reveals the very real, very human struggles beneath the surface. Backman’s portrayal of anxiety felt especially true, tender, honest, and quietly devastating. Seeing it reflected with such accuracy stirred something familiar in me, leaving me feeling both seen and less alone. Another passage struck me just as deeply:
Unfortunately I think most people would still get more sympathy from their colleagues and bosses at work if they show up looking rough one morning and say ‘I’m hungover’ than if they say ‘I’m suffering from anxiety’. But I think we pass people in the street every day who feel the same as you and I. Many of them just do not know what it is.
It reminded me how many people carry storms we never see. A storm may be raging inside, even as calm waters appear on the surface. The book’s spotlight on mental health is handled with sensitivity and care, humanised and normalised in a way that feels deeply real. Backman has spoken openly about his own experiences with anxiety and therapy, and that understanding comes through clearly.
This book left me wanting to hold the people I love a little tighter, to move through the world with gentler eyes, to create space for people to seek the help they need, and to pause before judging. At its heart, it reminded me of the quiet power of kindness and compassion, the kind that softens us, steadies us, and helps us keep going.
Who it’s for
This book is perfect for readers who love character‑driven fiction, ensemble casts, and stories that blend humour with emotional depth, or if you simply enjoy a story that surprises you emotionally in the best possible way.
The pacing is steady and layered, not rushed, but always engaging, with twists that land at just the right moments.
In terms of sensitive themes, the book engages deeply with mental health struggles, and these moments are handled with care and humanity but are significant to the story. The novel also touches on addiction and infidelity. Overall, these themes are approached in a way that encourages reflection rather than feeling overwhelming.
Where to find it in South Africa
I have a paperback copy, and it should be readily available in store. Given the book’s popularity, finding a copy is unlikely to be a challenge. Online ordering is also an option, and delivery times are noticeably quicker.
My verdict
This is not just a recommendation. It is a gentle nudge from one reader to another.
Stories like this remind me why we read — to feel less alone, to understand each other better, and to find pieces of ourselves in unexpected places.
If you are in the mood for a giggle, a tear, or a genuine gasp‑out‑loud moment, this book delivers all of it with heart.
If you have read it, or anything else by Backman, I would love to hear what stayed with you. And if you have not yet, I am curious whether this feels like a story you might want to explore.
I’ve kept things spoiler‑free here, but if you’re curious about anything in more detail, I’m always happy to chat about books.
From my shelf to yours,
J
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