Rating: 4 out of 5.

This is another wonderful book by one of my favorite authors. Backman carefully crafts a story that at first seems random, but slowly the people and events weave together into one beautiful tapestry.

A desperate bank robber, that doesn’t commit a robbery, accidentally escapes into an apartment that is having an open house and is full of potential buyers. The bank robber now has hostages for a bank robbery that didn’t occur, and the apartment is surrounded by police and reporters. As if the bank robber isn’t having a bad enough day, the hostages aren’t the most cooperative people and have issues of their own to deal with. One by one the hostages start to open up to one another, and suddenly the hostages aren’t strangers in a room anymore.

Backman’s writing is beautiful as ever, with nuggets of universal truths generously sprinkled throughout. This story didn’t resonate with me as much as his previous books, but it’s still a wonderful book that I highly recommend you read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for giving me a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.