Anxious People

by Fredrik Backman, Sweden and translated by Neil Smith.
An apartment open house becomes a matter of life-or-death when a failed bank robber bursts in and takes a group of stangers hostage. Each carries a lifetime of grievances, hurts, secrets and passions, and none of them are who they appear to be. But as they become reluctant allies in a dangerous situation, they find they have more in common than they ever imagined. Filled with the enduring power of friendship, forgiveness and hope, even in very anxious times, this story is deeply insightful, but also absurdly funny. Paperback, 344pp. 2019/2020Eng/2021pb