Anxious People Audiobook By Fredrik Backman cover art

Anxious People

A Novel

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Anxious People

By: Fredrik Backman
Narrated by: Marin Ireland
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$8.99/mo. after 3 months. Cancel anytime. Offer ends July 15, 2026 at 11:59pm PT.

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An instant #1 New York Times bestseller, the new novel from the author of A Man Called Ove is a “quirky, big-hearted novel….Wry, wise, and often laugh-out-loud funny, it’s a wholly original story that delivers pure pleasure” (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. 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. There’s a wealthy bank director who has been too busy to care about anyone else and a young couple who are about to have their first child but can’t seem to agree on anything. Add to the mix an eighty-seven-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, and you’ve got the worst group of hostages in the world.

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.

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.

Accolades & Awards

Most Popular
Friendship Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Witty Heartfelt Funny Thought-Provoking Banking Feel-Good Swedish Authors
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Critic 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."

Featured Article: 25+ Quotes About the Power of Kindness


Kindness is the quality of being considerate, compassionate, generous, gentle, and caring towards others without expecting anything in return. Often described as a virtue, kindness is also a strength—in fact, it may be one of humanity's greatest superpowers. Whenever you need a little encouragement or gentle reminder, turn to these quotes from authors who understand the power of kindness and express it quite remarkably.

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Editor's Pick

A locked-room mystery that’s pure Fredrik Backman
After unsuccessfully attempting to hold up a cashless bank, a desperate father accidentally creates a hostage situation after running headfirst into an apartment viewing. From our bumbling would-be robber, to the collection of “regular” folks locked in together, to the father–son cop team who lead the investigation, each character has a story to be told. What’s revealed is pure Backman truth-telling that perfectly captures the human experience with humor, tenderness, and wisdom. And the shining glory of this listen is narrator Marin Ireland’s performance. She simply nails it—all of it: Backman’s uncanny ability to get to the heart of things and in giving each and every quirky character a voice that resonates. I’m still smiling and can’t wait for the next Backman/Ireland collaboration! —Tricia F., Audible Editor

Intricate Plot Structure • Multidimensional Characters • Unexpected Plot Twists • Emotional Depth • Balanced Humor

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A friend recommended this. I had a hard time with the first three or four chapters and honestly, only continued with it because I knew my friend would ask me about it. So glad I kept listening, because it really was amazing. It takes a lot to get me really sucked in, but I was totally sucked into it. Tearful more than once. The narration was excellent - emphasis in exactly the right places. I listened over the course of two days, I think, which is pretty unusual for me.

Loved This

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awesomeness! absolutely loved it. At first it was little annoying, I didn't care much for the narrator. the voices she had for characters verent great.but the. story strays out slowly but you catch up and start connecting things half way through, so amazing in the end.

awsomeness!

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One thing that I saw complaint on was the way that the story bounces back and forth between past and present. I feel like this is just how he writes, so be prepared. I was a little thrown when I read A Man Called Ove, but since I was expecting it I think it made following this story easy.

This book highlights how everyone has a story, from the policeman, to the dignified bank employee, to the bank robber. But no one’s story is quite what you expect, and you explore how the choices we make affect us.

Enjoyable “read”

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I truly enjoyed listening to this book. It helps make you appreciate all that you have, and all that you love.

Very well done. Moving Story

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I've enjoyed all of Frederik Backman's books. I've even listened more than once just to pick up on anything I might have missed the first time around.

I read some reviews that said the characters in this story were difficult to like, and that's what caught my attention. One thing I've learned from reading this authors other works is that he is incredibly insightful about how people present and what often lies beneath the external layers.

I have worked in crisis support for 25 years, and one thing I've learned is that people who need us the most often present in ways that make us uncomfortable.

This is a great listen, and I highly recommend it.

Amazing insight as always

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