Another contemplative read from Fredrik Backman. A perfect blend of depth and humor and memorable characters.

First and foremost, thank you to the publisher and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I loved this story and it was definitely worth the read!

Five stars. Always. Backman never misses and I loved every moment of this book. Thank you for the opportunity to read this early.

I love Backman’s writing. Anxious People is an all-time favorite. This one is different. It’s especially slow moving. I liked the characters, but felt like lost teens waxed too philosophical at times like they had been in therapy, which they had not. I loved Ted; a layered character who has a beautiful arc over the course of the book.
I was easily invested in the story of the painting and its journey. Lots of odes to art, sometimes too much as the storyline was illustrating the value of art time & time again.
This book is getting great reviews, and deservedly so, it just didn’t blow me away like I have felt in some of Backman’s previous books.

Backman books just make my heart happy and my spirit fulfilled in the way he is able to shine a light on all the beautiful parts of humanity. This story is about broken, forgotten and hurt people and the way they find healing, belonging and love through art and friendship. Part road trip adventure with a dose of intergenerational friendship we learn about the lives of four friends as two strangers bond over a dead artist's painting and travel back in memory of his life. Haunting, unforgettable and amazingly narrated by Marin Ireland. Another HUGE win from one of my very favorite writers. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Fredrik Backman’s "My Friends" is a beautifully poignant exploration of friendship, art, and the echoes of memory. It’s the kind of novel that sneaks up on you—gentle in its prose and devastating in its emotional impact.

At the heart of the story is Louisa, a young artist who becomes obsessed with a famous painting that most people see as a simple depiction of the sea. Louisa recognizes more—a trio of figures at the edge of the canvas, their presence hinting at something deeper. As she attempts to discover the story behind the painting, she learns of the lives of 4 friends, captured in one glorious moment in time.

Backman excels at crafting characters who feel achingly real, and "My Friends" is no exception. The novel is steeped in nostalgia, exploring how friendships forged in youth can shape a person’s life long after the moments themselves have faded. The narrative moves between past and present, weaving together the golden summer of these four friends with Louisa’s search for the meaning in their story.

What makes "My Friends" so compelling is its raw honesty. Backman doesn’t shy away from the pain of growing up, the weight of grief, or the way art can heal and haunt.

If you’re looking for a novel that will break your heart and then gently piece it back together, "My Friends" is a haunting must-read. It’s a testament to the power of friendship, the resilience of art, and the stories that shape us—even when we don’t realize it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced reader copy in exchange for a honest review. This book was a solid 4 stars for me and is absolutely beautiful. Fredrik Backman does it again, but I am not surprised. The way he weaves the story of the past with a story from "now" is a work of art in itself. An homage to true friendship, art, complex family dynamics, and ultimately grief, this book broke my heart and put it back together again. We all need a little hope in today's world, and I truly believe this book provides just that.

Thank you to Netgalley, Fredrik Backman, and Simon and Schuster for an ARC of ¨My Friends¨ I cannot speak highly about this book enough!! This book made me laugh hysterically at all the right times, in between the most emotional and nostalgic parts of the book. This book will make you reflect on your own life´s passage, the friends you make along the way, and how the friends and family in your life influence who you are.

This book is told in the POV of a best friend as he tells the biography of the most precious person in his life, yet the world only knows him as a world famous artist. But to those who knew him - to those who REALLY knew him... he was so much more than just a world famous artist. I highly recommend this book for Backman´s thought-provoking storytelling and incomparable humor. You will not regret it!!

Fredrik Backman does it again. His writing is so singular, always poignant but with a touch of humor. My Friends is the story of four teenagers who are bonded by circumstance and are willing to do anything to save each other. They live in a small, poor working-class seaside town and deal with family issues such as alcoholism and abuse. Twenty-five years later, Louisa, an orphan who has just turned eighteen and has run away from her foster home, is deemed "one of us" by one of "the friends"
The book alternates between the two timelines while current-day Ted tells Louisa about the past. It all begins with a painting that Louisa, an artist herself, breaks into a museum to see up close just once.
This is a story of friendship, survival, self-acceptance, and fitting in. This is a story about art. This book will make you laugh and cry. Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for this ARC.

An absolutely gorgeous story. This is my favorite book of 2025 so far. I loved the characters and the way that the story unfolded (Backman is a master at this). I have loved all of his novels, and this one is his best yet! Read it if you are looking for something that will make you cry, laugh, and maybe give you goosebumps (it did me!). Highly, highly recommend!

I’ve never had a book hanger quite like this. My head and heart literally hurt. Was that a happy ending? The jury is still out.

I absolutely adore every Backman character I have read. I don’t know how the translator so beautifully translates Backman’s prose, but every time I’m swept away into the characters of his story. They become real to me. The prose it self is lyrical and leaves me contemplating life every time. I also quite enjoy how Backman uses foreshadowing but it never quite foreshadows what the reader infers. This story is a beautiful found family with tragic home lives that I absolutely loved.


Rating: 4.5 stars rounded up to 5

Im a HUGE Fredrik Backman fan, so getting this book was truly a treat.

This is the perfect coming of age story. You can tell (as usual) that Backman put so much thought and care into this one

4.5 stars:

Backman’s writing style is so unique but familiar at this point, and I can’t help but love his characters, flaws and all. This book tore a giant hole in my heart and filled it back up with characters that I wish I could protect and I won’t ever forget. I’ll be thinking about this story for years to come.

Unfortunately, My Friends was definitely not the novel for me. I found the writing to be incredibly cheesy and the characters felt a little too quirky.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read My Friends by Fredrik Backman. I received the ARC just two days before Christmas—it felt like the perfect early gift. Backman is my favorite author, and once again, he does not disappoint.

No one writes people the way Fredrik Backman does. His characters are rich, flawed, and deeply human. My Friends tackles difficult topics and blends heartache with humor in a way that feels both effortless and profound. It's sharp, funny, and unexpectedly emotional—I laughed and cried, sometimes on the same page.

Backman’s writing style is truly one of a kind. I often found myself pausing to reread passages and highlight quotes—something I rarely do. The story is unpredictable and layered, unfolding in ways that continually surprised me. His characters are at once deeply individual and universally relatable—mirroring people we know, and even parts of ourselves.

There’s something quietly powerful about the way he portrays life: raw, real, and messy. He strikes a beautiful balance between emotional weight and lighthearted moments, creating a narrative that feels incredibly authentic. At its core, My Friends is a story about found family and the transformative power of believing in someone. It's beautiful, hopeful, and lingers long after the final page.

this was my first fredrik backman book and man was it a beautiful book. this book is perfect to make you feel all emotions, love, hurt, joy, excitement, anxiety, etc.. the story of the group of friends was absolutely beautiful. the way that ted took louisa under his wing made my heart ache i loved it so much. it felt like louisa gave them a purpose after losing the artist. the story encapsulates exactly what it feels like to be an “outcast” in your youth but have the perfect group of friends. overall i loved this book. definitely one of my favorite reads so far this year!

*4.5 stars rounded up*

I return to Backman’s work again & again because he’s able to pull out the core elements of being a person & somehow put them into words, infusing humor into the bewildering & beautiful experience that is life. I found myself highlighting many lines in this work that captures the essence of being alive, showcases the power of artwork & storytelling, & honors the way that friendship can help you endure heartbreak.

Thank you very much to NetGalley & Atria for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Just like Catherine Ryan Hyde, Fredrik Backman just really gets people. Even when life is difficult, he can make it seem beautiful by his narrative style and by the connections between his characters. Even the ones who don’t really want to connect.

That is the case with Louisa and Ted. They are thrown together by the painting and the man who painted it—who actually dies pretty early on in the story. As they travel to the town where the painter began his career, Louisa gradually pries from Ted the story of how the painting came to be, and what became of the various friends. This history is not always easy to read, but Backman gives us a picture of the importance of friendship, especially for young people who have no other advantages in life.

Louisa, more than most, understands this. She has lost her only friend in a life that has dealt her nothing but hard knocks. But she has a gift, the same gift the painter had, and it is her recognition of the truth of his first and most famous artwork that sets the story into motion. As it progresses, she learns to trust and learns to accept the great gift life has given her—despite rejecting a very different kind of gift.

Possible Objectionable Material:
Swearing, abuse, drug use, alcohol use, LGBTQ representation. Theft and vandalism (of a sort).

Who Would Like this Book:
Those who enjoy stories that aren’t always neat and tidy, but are able to contrast the ugliness of life with its great beauties.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my opinion.

This book is also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2025/05/a-good-week-for-readers.html

A Heartrending Tale of Love, Loss, and Second Chances

Fredrik Backman's "My Friends" is a deeply moving and masterfully crafted novel that explores the complexities of love, loss, and the enduring power of human connection.

Backman's writing is both poignant and humorous, creating the narrative with a cast of unforgettable characters and their intertwined stories. The novel beautifully captures the essence of grief and friendship in their many forms, highlighting the unspoken bonds and unwavering support that can sustain us through life's most challenging moments.

"My Friends" is a testament to Backman's ability to create richly textured narratives that resonate with emotional depth and philosophical insight. The novel delves into profound themes such as the nature of identity, the passage of time, and the importance of living a life filled with meaning and purpose. Backman's prose is both lyrical and accessible, making this a truly immersive and unforgettable reading experience.

This is a novel that will stay with you long after you've finished reading. It is a celebration of the human spirit, a reminder of the preciousness of life, and a testament to the enduring power of love. A well-deserved five stars.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

My Friends is a heartwarming & moving story about teenage friendship, their bonds, and its ability to change the life of a stranger 25 years later.

In Backman’s hallmark style, he effortlessly captures the human spirit and the intricacies of relationships with humour, wit, and sharp realness. His ability to shine a light on the sheer messiness of life includes tenderness and humility and inspires hope. Life is messy. And, it’s ok to not be ok. And being your authentic self is good enough and worthy of connection.

His ability to look beyond the surface, hold up and value all our messy & chaotic bits and make them beautiful is inspiring. And, is why I will come back to Fredrick Backman time and time again.

Thank you @simonandschuster and @backmansk for my digital copy!