Logo image
  • BookDragon
  • About
  • The Blogger
  • Review Policy
  • Smithsonian APAC
 
47880
post-template-default,single,single-post,postid-47880,single-format-standard,stardust-core-1.1,stardust-child-theme-ver-1.0.0,stardust-theme-ver-3.1,ajax_updown_fade,page_not_loaded,smooth_scroll

BookDragon Blog

09 Mar / Anxious People by Frederik Backman, translated by Neil Smith [in Library Journal]

*STARRED REVIEW
Marin Ireland has a mere couple dozen audio credits – the majority of them in the last few years – yet she’s undoubtedly one of the industry’s most versatile, consistently stupendous narrators. Returning for her third Fredrick Backman pairing, Ireland superbly brings to life the vast cast with enviably distinct and effortlessly fluid characterizations.

The story’s center is a hostage situation during an open house: a failed bank robbery, financial collapse, adultery, and suicide are just some of the challenges that loom over the crowd trapped inside the apartment. And yet the narrative’s soul turns out to be unexpected lifesaving connections.

Ireland gets every character just right: the father and son who make up the local police force; the desperate divorced mother who will do anything for her young children; the high-strung real estate agent; the disgruntled, acerbic executive; the lesbian couple about to become parents; the octogenarian waiting for her husband; the always-in-search-of-a-bargain husband-and-wife fix-it team; the bunny-suited stranger hogging the bathroom.

Somehow, Ireland becomes a co-conspirator, enjoying the pizza, smoking in the closet, chatting books. Balancing – so remarkably well! – Big Topics with whimsy and charm, Backman continues his bestselling success; Ireland, meanwhile, proves why audiences everywhere need to listen in.

Review: “Media,” Library Journal, March 1, 2021

Readers: Adult

Published: 2019 (Sweden), 2020 (United States)

By Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center in Adult Readers, Audio, European, Fiction, Nonethnic-specific, Swedish, Translation, Uncategorized Tags > Anxious People, Betrayal, BookDragon, Death, Family, Father/son relationship, Fredrik Backman, Friendship, Library Journal, Marin Ireland, Mental Illness, Mother/daughter relationship, Neil Smith, Parent/child relationship, Suicide
No Comment

Post a Comment
Cancel Reply

Smithsonian Institution
Asian Pacific American Center

Capital Gallery, Suite 7065
600 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20024

202.633.2691 | APAC@si.edu

Additional contact info

Mailing Address
Capital Gallery
Suite 7065, MRC: 516
P.O. Box 37012
Washington, DC 20013-7012

Fax: 202.633.2699

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

SmithsonianAPA brings Asian Pacific American history, art, and culture to you through innovative museum experiences and digital initiatives.

About BookDragon

Welcome to BookDragon, filled with titles for the diverse reader. BookDragon is a new media initiative of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (APAC), and serves as a forum for those interested in learning more about the Asian Pacific American experience through literature. BookDragon is inhabited by Terry Hong.

Learn More

Contact BookDragon

Please email us at SIBookDragon@gmail.com

Follow BookDragon!
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Looking for Something Else …?

or