Fredrik Backman said in his speech for Simon and Schuster's Centennial Celebration: "I spend 8 hours every day locked inside a room with people I have made up. If I was comfortable talking to real people, I'd have a real job". Oh how I wish I had been locked up in that room with the characters and people in his latest novel "My Friends"! You can count yourself fortunate if you have friends in your life like the ones in this book.
This is a novel of friendship spanning 25 years. A story of four lost souls, and how they face life, death, grief, various types of trauma, and an inordinate amount of fart jokes–all told with Backman's signature humor, insight, tenderness and familiarity with anxiety. It also gave me a whole new perspective on art, and creativity. How being truly artistic, and being "one of them" is inherent, and not something that can be learned. It's a talent that's just there. "Art is a fragile magic". "Art just needs friends".
Previous to reading this, I felt that the Beartown trilogy was my favorite of this brilliant Swedish writer...but "My Friends" has captured my heart in ways I didn't expect. This is one hug of a book!
Many thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for allowing me to be an early reader of this novel by one of my favorite authors!

Fredrik Backman, author of "A Man Called Ove," is back with a tender story of a group of friends, the value of art, and the power of connection. "My Friends" opens with Louisa, a teenager entering an art auction with a backpack full of spray paint. Her aim is not to vandalize priceless art but something much more simple. But within an hour her life is turned upside down after an encounter with an ailing artist.

At the center of the book is his painting, “The One of the Sea,” his first serious work, created when the artist was a teen himself. His small circle of friends had, at that point, thought of him simply as The Artist and encouraged him, even forced him to begin the painting. Joar is the wild one of their group, quick to fight and steal, but unexpectedly loving with friends and his mother whose abusive husband terrorizes them both. Ted is quiet, organized, nerdy, unexpectedly funny funny when he chooses to be.

The two of them are pictured in the painting, far out at the end of the pier with a third figure who might be the artist himself or perhaps someone else altogether. Their love and laughter is apparent from the body language of the figures, even in the distance. Now years later the painting is up for auction. The Artist is dying and relying on Ted to fulfill his plan, which leaves Ted with The Artist’s ashes and the painting itself, bequeathed unexpectedly to Louisa.

Over the course of a train journey with Ted who reluctantly allows her to accompany him, Louisa learns the story of their friendship and their struggles in a working class town that had little patience with young people trying to find their place in the world.

Louisa herself has been in foster homes for most of her life, her loneliness assuaged by the presence of her friend Fish. Newly turned eighteen, she is ready to strike out on her own, knowing that she’s not the easiest person to get along with. She talks too much, she’s impulsive, she asks inappropriate questions. She’s everything that drives Ted up the wall. His caution and self-containment drive her crazy, but when he comes out with what are essentially dad jokes, there’s also something weirdly appealing about him.

Within their stories and arguments are many, many ideas about art and what it does. These are worked in quite naturally and never feel forced, a tribute to the characters Backman has developed. Many are statements that begin with “Art is ….” I began highlighting them once I realized how often they appeared. A discussion of these would be a fascinating book club activity.

"My Friends" is a powerful story of love and connection across time. It took me a little while to become used to Backman’s sometimes quirky writing style, but once I got to know the characters, I was hooked to the point of not wanting the story to end. That’s always a happy way for a librarian to read, imagining our patrons getting to know and love these characters, just as we do.

"My Friends " will be published on May 6th. Thanks to NetGalley for sending a free galley in exchange for an honest review.

There's nothing quite like starting my reading year off with a Fredrik Backman book. He's one of the few authors that I will re-read, and wow has he ever written a book to re-read time and again with "My Friends".

Lousia, budding artist, newly 18, and former foster kid with no where to go, just wants to see the painting that has always kept her going through some very dark days up close, The day that she does, things don't go according to plan, and Louisa begins on a personal journey that she wasn't expecting.

What follows is the story of the transformative power of art. Set in both the past and in the present, the story follows two distinctive groups of friends and the challenges that they have to overcome in order to make it to adulthood.

This book is every bit as well-written as I have come to expect from Fredrik Backman. A beautiful book filled with funny moments, touching moments, and everything in between, this is a must-read for both new and old Backman fans.

There is absolutely no way for me to put into words the ways that Fredrik Backman's books make me feel. There is something so tender and beautiful in his prose that makes for an incredible story that no other author has been able to match.

In My Friends, Backman tells the story of a few people, but I'd say that it all comes back to the artist. The artist painted a picture of his friends when he was fourteen and now that work of art is worth millions. The artist was so special. I could FEEL it. I have yet to find another author that makes me feel anything close to what Backman does to me. The artist finds himself painting in an alleyway with a girl named Louisa and afterward, tells his best friend Ted that she is one of them. That's the spark that ignites this whole story.

I think I loved Ted the most. Every single character in this book pulled on my heartstrings more than any other character has in the last few years, but especially Ted. He was so pure and genuine and caring and sensitive and every good thing you could think of wrapped up into a precious, kind man. The others--Joar, Ali, Louisa, Christian, and their various family members--also had incredible depth, even for the ones whom we only got to know for a short time. For me, Backman's books are always character driven, but he did a great job with the setting in this one, too. I was able to envision the sea and the pier, the white wall(s), the train, the homes.

I'm so honored that I received an ARC from NetGalley and Atria Books of this novel. It was everything I hoped it would be and more. I can't wait for it to be available to the public so that others can read this and experience the joy and love hidden within these pages. 🥲

My friends by Fredrick backman

This story exceeded my expectations, I feel it best to go into a book blind so you can feel everything. This book had all the feels.

Louisa who is an artist and was searching for the meaning behind another artists famous painting ends up getting more than she bargained for. Thai story took a wild turn diving into the lives of the figures in a painting bringing each one of their tumultuous lives into perspective. I enjoyed this book and the deep dive into art and friendship. What a win for the book. Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for this sweet book about friendship and value.

This is a tragically beautiful story that reflects life, friendship, and art. Fredik Backman is extraordinary, and this may be my favorite book of all.

4 stars

Louisa, 17, an aspiring artist, has always been fascinated by the three small films hires sitting at the end of a pier in “The One of the Sea,” the first known work of famous artist C. Jat, painted when he was a 14 year old prodigy. She desperately wants to see the painting in person and to know the story of those three people.

Twenty-five years previously in a town by the sea four teenagers escape their difficult lives by banding together as best friends, sharing their lives and acting out just a bit during their fourteenth-going-on-fifteenth summer. And from that summer comes an incredible piece of art and an artist such that the world has never seen.

Ultimately that work falls into the hands of Louisa who travels across the country to learn its origin story, and maybe a bit about how to begin to live the rest of her life.

Maybe I’m the only person who never read A MAN CALLED OVE? I may own it, but I’m not sure. Anyway, I read a short story by Blackman recently and though it was a bit more twee than what I usually like I still enjoyed it so I thought I would give this a try and I’m glad I did.

In this book, translated by Neil Smith, I fell a little bit in love with Louisa, Ali, Joar, Ted and the artist, all wonderfully flawed people who have been dealt a difficult hand but handle it all admirably in their own ways. Oh, how I loved Joar! So prepared to accept what small moments of grace the world had to offer. So, same thing here as in short story…this was much sweeter, more redemptive than my normal read, but I quite enjoyed it. I would guess that readers who have enjoyed Blackman in the past will find a lot to like here and will go away satisfied. I believe I will remember these characters for awhile, and that is saying something.

I live Fredrik Backman’s books and have read everything he’s written. I was thrilled to get an arc of his newest book. It did not disappoint! I loved it. I laughed, I cried. I fell in love with the characters and Backmans quirky written. So good. Thanks to NetGalley, Fredrik Backman and the publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book was equal parts heartbreaking and equal parts hopeful all the way through up until the end. It had a perfect, hopeful ending and was very reflective of life itself!

Lots of trigger warnings and sensitive topics. Much heavier read than I’m used to, but a 5 star book nonetheless. Also, so many beautiful and awesome quotes throughout this book!

I’ll start by saying that Beartown is my absolute favorite book of all time. The entire trilogy, really. It’s perfect. I’d give a nonessential organ to go back in time and read it again for the first time. Fredrik Backman can do no wrong. I made the mistake of plowing through all of his published works, and I’ve been wallowing in my own misery ever since. I was counting the days until My Friends would be released in the US, so I was ecstatic when I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and Atria Books. I had high hopes that this novel would rival Beartown for the title of Greatest Novel Ever Written, but it just…didn’t.

Don’t get me wrong. I loved it. I found myself highlighting every other page. I laughed, I cried, I pondered. But I couldn’t connect with the characters the same way I connected with Benji, Maya, Kira, and the rest of the residents of Beartown. The boys - Joar, Ted, and the artist all kind of ran together. We knew next to nothing about Ali, so I wish she had been a little more fleshed out. I struggled to remain invested in the plot. The highlight of the storyline was the artist’s relationship with the janitor, but that was such a small part of the novel.

My favorite thing about Backman is the way he writes women. It’s masterful - better than any female author I’ve ever encountered. But I just couldn’t fall in love with Louisa, no matter how hard I tried. And the mothers of the “friends” were just background characters until the very end. I found myself wishing I could stretch out the last 10%, because that’s where all the pieces fell into place in true Backman style.

I couldn’t visualize the painting. Like I couldn’t see it in my mind, and it drove me crazy.

I just need to accept that while I did adore this novel, nothing will ever come close to Beartown.

Louisa, 17, keeps a postcard with her at all times, the postcard was from her mother and is of a famous painting called "The One of the Sea" by C. Jat. The painting is up for auction and all she wants to do is see it in person before a wealthy person acquires it for their own collection. This chance viewing of the painting leads her down an unexpected path as she stumbled into a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn everything about the artist and the friends that were portrayed in her favorite painting.

5 Stars, I would give it more if I could. This book was equal parts funny as it was heartbreaking. I'm not sure I've ever read a book that represents the importance of friendship as well as this. I loved everything about this book, the characters, the story telling, the banter, the way that art was described, and most of all, the friendship. Fredrik Backman is such a talented storyteller. I have so many passages highlighted but I won't be able to share them until this book gets published.

I read literary fiction but it's not my normal genre, it took me over a week to finish this book. I was so invested in the story and also didn't want the story to end. It's also a very emotionally draining book so it took a while. It's SOOOO worth it. Please, please, please read this!

Thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!!!!

Format: ebook

Outside of an art show, Louisa meets a man and the two paint together connecting over their shared love of art. When he signs the work she realizes that he is her favorite artist; she has kept an image of his most famous work in her backpack for years. Louisa has just aged out of foster care and has no family, friends, money and nowhere to go.
When the artist dies he tasks his friend Ted to give the original artwork to Louisa and to take care of her. Ted and Louisa set off on a journey during which Ted tells her how the painting came to be 25 years ago when Ted, the artist and their friends were 15 and living in a seaside town. They both share stories of their lives while making their way back to the place where the painting came to be.
I loved this story of resilience and found family. I fell in love with the characters and loved hearing their stories.
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Thank you to NetGalley for an Advance Readers Copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved the characters in the book especially in the second half. But I found the first half slow and I wanted there to be more happening with the plot. But overall I enjoyed myself.

Written in true Fredrik Backman style, My Friends is a story that addresses true friendship, poverty, financial success and the reality of what makes true happiness in one’s life. Backman’s sense of humor along, with his ability to articulate true emotions and feelings, is a testament to his unique writing skills. Unfortunately this story about teenage friendships and life as an adult did not grab me the way A Man Called Ove did. The story had sections that seemed to drag at times. I also found it difficult to connect to the two main characters, Ted and Louise. I am aware that my opinion is different from many other readers who enjoyed this book more than I did.

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My Friends by Fredrik Backman is a beautifully written exploration of friendship, loss, and the intricacies of human connection. While the pacing of the book is a bit slow at times, with moments that require patience as the narrative unfolds, the exquisite prose more than compensates for this. Backman’s ability to capture the subtle, often overlooked details of life is unmatched. Each character feels deeply real, their emotions and struggles intricately woven into a tapestry that is both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

The slow pace allows readers to truly sit with the characters and immerse themselves in their world, making the moments of connection all the more meaningful. It’s a slow burn, but one that pays off in layers of depth and reflection. Backman’s sharp, yet tender, observations on friendship are universal, and his writing style brings them to life in such a way that makes even the quietest moments feel significant.

While the book may require a bit more patience than some readers are used to, My Friends is ultimately a rewarding and enriching experience. If you’re a fan of introspective stories with a focus on the emotional complexities of relationships, this book will resonate deeply. Backman’s storytelling continues to impress, and this novel is another testament to his incredible talent.

"How could the sea be big enough to have room for their hearts? Incomprehensible."

As I was going through this book, I wasn’t sure how I would rate it. The content was so beautifully Fredrik Backman at his best, but the way it was written from a technical standpoint I wasn’t sure if I liked it. However, as the book went on, the more and more I was hypnotized, the more I was invested, and the more I had tears in my eyes (on the plane, again). His continual ability to paralyze us as readers with vivid and intentional storytelling makes this story impossible to forget.

My Friends is a testament to the fearlessness of childhood, the influence of grief and the fervour of art. At its core, it’s a story about love - between friends, lovers, parents and siblings. It’s about acts of love, and everything we do in our power to keep them alive.

I can’t wait for everyone to be able to read this book. A favourite 2025 release that will be remembered for years to come.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I rated this book five stars, and I thoroughly enjoyed every second if it. This is the third book of Backman's that I have had the privilege to read, having also devoured A Man Called Ove and Anxious People. Thanks to Net Galley and Atria Books for the copy. This book is about four friends, one of which is an artist. The artist paints these childhood friends, and this work of art eventually becomes famous. One of the friends, gives the artwork to a foster girl, who he hopes will sell it and use the money to start a new life. Louisa has no such intentions and even rejects the painting at first. Louisa has no one in the world. having lost her parents and more recently losing her closest friend Fish. Throughout the story, we learn more about these four friends: Ali, Joar, Ted and KimKim (the artist). This book is so beautifully written and features various themes of art, love, friendship, grief. It's about the people we lose and the people we manage to keep. It's about found family and the power of overcoming. This book had so many moments of humor and heart. At this point, Backman is an automatic read for me. Hopefully he will pen as many books as possible, because they are all such a delight!

Beautiful, heartbreaking and a tale of love. I love fredrik's work and this was no exception. I cried. Highly recommend.

” It’s a funny thing. The person we fall in love with, we hardly ever call by their name, because it’s somehow just so obvious that it’s you I’m talking to, that it’s you I’m always thinking of. Who else?”

A beautiful story of friendship and art and all things in between. Four young people spend a summer doing so many things together and then encouraging a young artist to enter an art competition because they recognize how talented he is. The way their stories intermingle and all of their backstories are heartbreaking and breadmaking sometimes in the same moment.

"The worst thing about death, that it happens over and over again. That the human body can cry forever.

The story is told during two points of time and the second one introduces another young lady who has her own backstory. She meets up with the artist in a strange way and immediately makes the artist take notice. What happens next is a long train ride where she gets to hear about that summer with the four friends and the story unfolds during the ride.

Poignant is the word that comes to mind the most and I was so excited to receive an ARC from #NetGalley for my review. Thank you to the author for writing such amazing stories and thank you to the publisher for giving me this experience.

I love Fredrik so much as an author, This book made me feel all the things. There was loss and friendship and love. I whole heartedly recommend this