I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. I loved the way the story was told, and I loved the characters and their interactions, especially Ted and Louisa. The story wasn't predictable, and was very blunt about reality and how things work out. It didn't gloss over hard topics, and gave a perspective to love and loss I haven't had before. The feelings this book created had me all over the map, and I often had to remind myself it was a story and not real life. But, as Louisa says many times, even though the story happened 25 years ago, to us it's happening NOW.

Fredrik Backman writes a genius novel, once again. The perspective that he takes on childhood and adulthood is so refreshing that I stopped so many times to highlight and ponder. I don't know how he does what he does. This book was heart-wrenching and endearing. I loved Ted so much. This is a must read for anyone who has ever been a kid.

An early read from my favorite author is truly a bright spot right now. Even if it made me sob and sob.

Backman has a gift for writing characters who simply demand your love and care and concern. It took me several of his books to realize that I had to approach reading them with caution, in a certain headspace, and know the stress and heartbreak I was signing up for. But at the same time, as my friend says, “Backman forces you to slow down.”

My Friends is about childhood friendships. But not just any type of childhood - the type of childhood where home isn’t a safe and loving place - a different reason for each friend - and the magic that can be found, running around town or piled in a basement together. My Friends is also about loss, woven through the story in many ways. It’s about defining characteristics and quirks that endear us to our people. Art is a theme in a literal sense, but also in a greater existential sense. This book is its own work of art, and as is written within: “Art is so big, so unfathomable, that it teaches us to mourn for strangers.”

I’m really trying these days, during this cold, dark January to be where my feet are. Love and serve who is in front of me. And if my thumbs are tippy tapping, hopefully it’s to turn the page on my kindle more often than scroll my phone.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC digital copy. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own..

Humor. Sadness. Hope.
A love story of friendship.

The most quirky of characters and as lifelike as life itself. I haven’t cried while reading in a while, and this book is worthy of my tears. But I won’t forget the laughs either!

Definitely a book I imagine re-reading when I need to feel hopeful. Or have a good cry. Or both.

Perfection.

5 out of 5 stars and my deepest respect to the author.

I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster – Atria Books for the chance to read this book ahead of its publication date!

My Friends is a multi-generational story of teenaged outcasts relying on art and friendship to overcome the adversity of their harsh upbringings. In the third-person omniscient narrative style that’s become a hallmark of Backman’s unique storytelling, we follow two core timelines, both relating one of the greatest and most expensive pieces of art ever created, “The One of the Sea”. In present day, Louisa is a troubled teen floating about the foster care system alone, grieving the death of her best friend. Louisa is a starving artist who has long felt comfort in studying this painting, and ends up on journey with the unlikeliest of companions, Ted. Ted is a middle-aged, fearful and reserved man who is the opposite of Louisa in just about every way conceivable. As they travel, he reveals his own connection to the “The One of The Sea” in an alternating series of flashback chapters. The second timeline follows Ted and his three closest friends through their own teenaged years, and their role in the creation of the iconic painting, and the simultaneous tumult, grief, friendship, and love formed along the way.

It's an ironic thing to read about how brave artists are to put their work nakedly into the world, and then to turn around and write a review to critique that very work. Even more, humor may be one of the most subjective things in the literary world. Unfortunately, unlike Anxious People and A Man Called Ove (both of which I found to be hysterical, as well as moving), the jokes in My Friends just did not land very frequently for me. I hope it’s just a personal thing, and that it works well for others. Another problem I encountered during my read was that the present day plot was markedly less interesting than Ted’s flashback chapters, which led to some issues with pacing for me as well. Parts of the book felt intentionally dragged out as a plot device meant to build suspense, but instead led to me glossing over portions of the read. Finally, I really struggled with the amount of saccharine commentary. I expect and even enjoy some degree of this from Backman (think Beartown), but there were so many tears shed by characters, so much reminiscing, and a huge amount of omniscient narrator commentary about how different memories would stand in a character’s mind for the rest of their lives. Over the course of the full story, this began to have a numbing effect for me. If each event of these characters’ lives is the most important/most loving/other superlative thing that’s ever happened to them, then it starts to feel like none of the previous events mattered.

Critiques aside, there were a few things I absolutely loved as well. Louisa was an extremely dynamic character, who had believable motives and learned behaviors as self-defense mechanisms, given her background. Additionally, there were numerous passages in which Backman’s observations about grief resonated very strongly for me, and I found myself highlighting these often. Lastly, there was a character arc between brothers that, although was a minor side plot to the book, I found to be one of the strongest written sections of the book.

All-in-all, it was a perfectly enjoyable story, and probably worth the read if you know that you’re a Backman fan. It just unfortunately didn’t land for me the same way his other works have. Shoutout to Neil Smith too, because translators are often unsung heroes, and Neil Smith & Fredrik Backman are a heck of a duo. I look forward to their next joint effort!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced reader copy of My Friends, which will be published May 20, 2025.

This book gave me all the feels, it made me laugh and cry many times and there are multiple surprises throughout the book. As the title indicates, it’s about friendship and the friends you make when you are young.

Backman’s writing is phenomenal
and the importance of art is central to the story. A few of my favorite highlights:

“Art is so big, so unfathomable, that it teaches us to mourn for strangers.“

“Paint like the birds sing.”

“It’s art that helps me cope. Because art is a fragile magic, just like love, and that’s humanity’s only defense against death.”

“Louisa tells him about art so beautiful that just seeing it makes you too big for your body, a sort of happiness so overwhelming that it’s almost unbearable.”

I highly recommend this book!

Fredrik Backman just has this way of making you feel everything at once—joy, heartbreak, nostalgia, hope—all wrapped up in everyday people just trying to make sense of life. My Friends is no different. It’s a story about four teenagers and an artist, Louisa, who becomes fascinated by them years later. But it’s not just about them—it’s about the way friendships, even the messy, imperfect, fleeting ones, can shape us long after they’re gone.

The way Backman writes about relationships—whether it’s between kids finding their way or an outsider observing from a distance—is so deeply human. He captures that mix of humor and sadness that makes his stories feel real. And, of course, his signature wit is there. You’ll laugh. You’ll probably cry. You’ll definitely think about the people who left a mark on you, for better or worse.

If you’ve read Beartown or A Man Called Ove, you already know what Backman does best—he makes you care. And My Friends is another reminder of why his stories stick with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

I started hearing buzz about this book over the last month. The question becomes - will it live up to the hype? The answer is a resounding YES. This book is a beautiful story about the power of friendships both old and new. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I love Fredrik Backman’s writing so much that it feels wrong to even write this but, I did not like this book 😢😢😢

I would say based on the Beartown trilogy, Anxious People, The Answer is No, and others, that Backman is easily one of my favourite authors. Beartown is also in my top 5 books ✨ever✨.

Which is why I was SO EXCITED to get approved for this ARC, and be able to review what I expected to be another favourite of mine!

I don’t love writing bad reviews, so I’ll keep this on the short side and say, ultimately I didn’t connect with the characters and I found the story a bit confusing at times.

From what I’m seeing, I’m an outlier with this opinion, so if you’re a Fredrik Backman fan, I honestly would still suggest reading it to see for yourself!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Wow, this book was breathtaking. This was my 3rd book by Frederick Backman, and I'm hooked. I'm not sure I've ever read a book that captures the human condition more than this one. Processing trauma, immense grief, coming-of-age, the beauty of storytelling, friendship for the ages and the power of art that weaves the fabric of our lives were the most compelling narratives driving this story. The plot unraveled in such a humorous and random manner that somehow kept me invested. Backman has such a knack for raw and visceral descriptions in his storytelling that leave you gasping. This book MOVED me. The last 2 percent of the book had me literally sobbing 😭 Backman has a way of reaching in deep into your soul & making you feel all of the emotions you never thought you could feel from words on a page. So grateful to NetGalley for the ARC and what a treat to read this book.

I hate to DNF a Backman.. but this one is not for me. I couldn’t get into this one at all and I was just bored by the characters. Maybe I’ll give it another chance when it comes out but for now, this is a no from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this eARC!

A stunning story of the unbreakable bond and commitment of friends and the impact of art on the world. This book had everything- an intriguing plot, unique and relatable characters, and beautiful prose of reflections. I’ll be thinking about this one for a while.

Louisa has a postcard of a painting of the sea that she has loved for a time, she manages to get herself into the gallery where it is being shown to see it in real life. While on the run from police, after creating some graffiti in the gallery, she unknowingly runs into the artist who created her favourite painting. The artist bequeaths her the painting and Louisa embarks on a journey to see where it came from and what inspired it. This journey becomes not just a physical one for Louisa. It’s amazing the effects of friendship can have on a stranger many years after the initial friendship bond was created. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

My Friends is a story about art and belonging.

This is the story of four friends. And one girl who needs to connect with them. Twenty-five years ago, four teenagers forged a bond that circumstances can never break. One of them goes on to become a famous artist, and the first painting he created serves as a catalyst for what happens in the future.

This book is heartbreaking, but at the same time, a beautiful portrayal of friendship, trust, sacrifice, vulnerability, and love. Beautifully written.

Fredrik Backman is my favorite author. Period. End of story. His books move me to no end. I laughed like I never laughed before reading a book. It is simultaneously heart breaking and heart warming. It is about friends and friendship during your formative years. I loved this book so much. Joar will stay with me forever. His arc was the most impactful and I’m just so happy that I got to read this book.
"I love you. I trust you. "

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I just finished My Friends, and I already miss the main characters (particularly Louisa), like I am waving goodbye to dear friends through the rear windshield of a car. I often feel this way after reading a Fredrick Backman novel, as he has a way of creating characters who touch our hearts and give us hope. I did not want the story to end, and the emotions felt during the read still linger. Friendship, loss, inspiration, resilience, humor, heartbreak – My Friends has it all, delivered by a master craftsman. I loved A Man Called Ove, Anxious People, and Beartown, but this one surpasses them all. Adding to my all-time-favorites list!

"I love you, I trust you." What a great line in a great book. While I didn't always love the flow of this book I absolutely loved the story and meaning.

Frederik Backman is an incredible author and I always enjoy his books. They are written so differently than any other author. He writes with such emotion.

The story of friends, Ted, Ali, Joar, KimKim, is priceless and and beautiful yet so painful at the same time. These four friends were so lucky to have found each other at the age of 14. Lucky to have each other at a difficult age in life and especially with the hard life they each were thrown. The love they had for each other was shown with great stories of bringing cookies for the artist, giving the knife to Joar, teaching Ali to swim and of course the amazing picture the artist painted of them all together.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria for this ARC.

Will I ever not cry at a Fredrik Backman book? Unlikely. Backman is a master of weaving the past and present together, creating love for characters you have never met, and a master of storytelling. We have all had friends like these, we all meet people who we know are “ours.” Backman books always leave me with a love for all these complicated messy things that make us human and My Friends is no exception.

Truly wonderful. If Backman writes it, I’ll read it. I laughed and I cried. This is a true love story, a true friendship. It’s beautiful and poetic. Don’t miss it.

My Friends was a stunning read that was both funny and sad, as well as thoughtful and poignant. The characters were dynamic and well-written. I both laughed and cried while reading this book. Fredrik Backman never fails!