Anxious People (Backman) - Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions
We'll add publisher questions if and when they're available; in the meantime, use our LitLovers talking points to help start a discussion for ANXIOUS PEOPLE … then take off on your own:

1. Why are these people anxious? About what?

2. (Follow-up to Question 1) In what way is Anxious People really about relationships rather than a hostage crisis? Talk about the many human connections in this book—those that existed before the story began and those that developed during the course of the novel. Which were most surprising, or perhaps most improbable?

3. (Follow-up to Question 2) Why is everyone at the open-house in the first place? What is everyone's overt reason for attending (house-flipping, for example), and what is the underlying (i.e., psychological or emotional) reason?

4. What makes these people "the worst group of hostages in the world"? Of all the characters, including the father and son police duo, whom did you most connect with?

5. Backman's novel is a comedy but also a commentary of societal issues such as global capitalism, parenting, and marriage. How are those issues explored?

6. How would you describe Anxious People—mystery, comedy, drama, social commentary? All of the above … or something else?

(Questions by LitLovers. Please feel free to use them, online and off, with attribution. Thanks.)

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