Backman does not disappoint in his latest novel. As much as I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, I can't help but feel that the pacing was a tad off from time to time. Certain bits of the novel seemed to slog on endlessly and had me occasionally checking how many pages I had left to read. Not that that detracted from my overall enjoyment, however. Each of these characters were a joy to see develop and to see their relationships to one another.

In one (of many) thought-provoking moments within this novel, Fredrik Backman writes, "That's all of life. All we can hope for. You mustn't think about the fact that it might end, because then you live like a coward, you never love too much or sing too loudly. You have to take it for granted, the artist thinks, the whole thing, sunrises and slow Sunday mornings and water balloons and another person's breath against your neck. That's the only courageous thing a person can do" (Backman n. pag.).

What a beautiful novel this is. I have read all of Fredrik Backman's novels and I believe this could, in fact, be his very best yet. It took no time at all for me to be instantly engaged and immersed in the story of these unforgettable characters. They all have such multi-faceted natures, with personalities that come right off the page.

At its core, this is a novel about grief and about living. Our primary characters, Louisa and Ted, are grieving the lives of the loved ones they lost. They must lean on each other to try to cope and to learn how to live on, in spite of it all. It is through telling their stories that they begin to identify what connects them and it is through the sharing of stories that they not only begin to embrace one another, but the possibility of living their lives again. This is also a novel about the beauty of art to capture a moment and to make us feel just a bit more human and to marvel at it all. While it may seem unconventional to use a painting as the impetus for a meditation on living since a painting is only a moment in time, I think it ultimately makes a lot of sense. The friendship of Ted, Joar, the artist, and Ali created the artwork that the artist captured within the painting and that is the foundation for the entire novel that follows, which I consider a magnificent work of art. It is a beautiful testament to the power of stories to help us learn about others and, in turn, to do the work of getting to know ourselves better. This is a novel that will make readers contemplate their own lives, as they are moved by the stories of these characters. This is a story that will make any reader smile, laugh, tear up, and think deeply. It is a story that will stay with me.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel, in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Wow. FB does it again! I think this is my favorite one to date. Thank you to netgally and the publisher for an early copy to review 5 ⭐️

It all starts when four teenagers spend their summer on a pier that ends up turning into a world famous painting. The four teenagers spend their last summer escaping their rough home lives to swim and stir up trouble, laughing, watching super hero movies in a basement and letting out the occasional fart. 25 years later, the painting that originates from that summer ends up in the hands of 18 year old Louisa, who sees it for what it really is. Here, we begin a journey to find out how the painting really came to be.

A workout of art about a work of art. A mix of “Beartown” and “a man called ove”, Backman gives us “my friends”. A beautiful story with multiple characters that are impossible not to fall in love with. To understand the story, you must understand each and every one of them. Keeping track of these characters and their stories was not hard, in fact, it was an honour to know them. With a mix of humour, grief, and adventure, Backman may have just gave us one of the best books of the year or likely the 21st century. My critiques are small, I was just as annoyed as Louisa for how long this story was taking to be told and I was even annoyed at Louis for making everyone else’s trauma about her. Other than that, perfect.

thank you netgalley for the arc! I urge everyone to run and read this as soon as it’s released on May 20, 2025🩵

Goodreads rating: 4.66⭐️
my rating: 4⭐️

There were parts of this novel that I liked very, very much… And there were parts that I felt were way too long and dragged on and on. About halfway through, I started skimming through the backstory of the teenagers because it just felt like way too much.

What I loved about this novel were the bits of wisdom in the cleverly beautiful writing, and the explorations of friendship and loss and what it means to be human. Aside from that, the most important part of this novel for me is the emphasis on art and what it means to people and how it moves people.

There is quite a lot of violence and physical abuse shown in detail throughout the novel, and I believe there should be a trigger warning at the beginning of the book because people who have been through this kind of violence will possibly be triggered by the words and the descriptions of such violence.

Thanks to the author and publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy of this novel exchange from my honest review.

"I love you. I trust you.”

This is the story of four fourteen year old friends who, over the years, were as close as friends could be. All of them came from impoverished homes and most of those homes were loveless and violent. They understood one another in a special way that only fourteen year olds can. They were there for one another, cared for one another and supported one another in that special way that reflected their genuine, heartfelt friendships. Their understanding of one another ran so deep that, years later, in one of those rare times when they met someone who would fit into their small group, they would tell the others “I met one of us”.

It is a story of being young, of trying to understand yourself, your age group, your friends. A story of friendship and heartbreak. Keep you tissues handy, it will tear your heart apart then gently put it back together. It will make you laugh: from little chuckles to big guffaws. It’ll make you cry: from watery eyes to gasping sobs.

This is a story of friendship and... a very special painting.

Backman will make you feel all the feels as only he can - and you’ll thank him for it.
Be sure to read the dedication. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to #NetGalley #FredrrikBackman #AtriaBooks for an advanced copy os The Friends in exchange for a fair, unbiased review. Publication Date: May 20, 2025

#EmptyNestReader #instagram #Goodreads #MyFriends #FredrikBachman #fiction
#JanuaryReads #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramalabama #bookstagrammichigan #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookrecommendations #readalittlelearnalittlelivealittle #ebooks #ARC

This book feels like another Backman classic. He does such a good job of building broken characters in a world that beats them but also builds them up. I really loved how the pieces unfolded out of order, bouncing between past and present. It was really well thought out. I can't quote this book yet, but there were so many good lines about art, life and philosophy. Great read overall.

“…the most dangerous place on earth is inside us. Fragile hearts break in palaces and dark alleys alike.”

Here comes Fredrik Backman with another banger, and I don't think any of his books have left me in tears from the first chapter like My Friends did. The storyline is rooted in trauma, and I had an easy time relating to the group of friends as well as Louisa. Maybe it is because my childhood (under the age of 12) could easily fit in with theirs, but they were also all very empathetic characters, and you couldn’t help but hurt for each and every one of them. Backman drops a lot of wisdom throughout the book, and it sometimes feels like he is pushing his own beliefs onto the reader which made the writing style very interesting and unique. I didn’t have any issues with this, and I felt like a lot of what he said were giant truth bombs that made it all that much more realistic.

I didn’t have the audiobook since I read this so far in advance, and I definitely took my sweet time with it. My reading time says December 29th to January 21st, but in reality, I basically read this in 3 sittings. I never wanted it to end despite the pain and heartbreak, and somehow these 448 pages felt more like a couple of hundred to me. There are a boatload of triggers hiding in My Friends, so if you have any you should definitely look into what they are prior to picking this up. I loved that the book is told through the eyes of multiple characters (more when we get towards the end), and we get plenty of flashbacks until we have the entire picture. The cast of characters is unforgettable, and the humor Backman infused throughout helped me smile through my tears on multiple occasions. The twist at the end made my jaw drop, and the last chapter left me with so much hope and a smile on my face.

Read this if you love books focused on the power of friendship, stories that are extremely emotional but laugh out loud funny at the same time and reads that feel epic despite being mostly based on one year of life. A lot can happen in a year…

Of course, I am going to enjoy a Fredrik Backman book. However, I’m also going to compare it to the other works in his catalog. I would say this novel is not as good as Anxious People or Beartown, but definitely better than A Man Called Ove.

The book does have an intriguing perspective about friendship. Backman delve into the lives of four friends and their core memories. Rather than reminisce about first loves and family drama, Backman‘s protagonists retell stories about a dysfunctional childhood. Although the story is not linear, the author deftly moves between the current time and the flashbacks. What sets this novel apart is the discussion of art that is never far from the forefront of the stories. Backman creates a set of motley, yet lovable, characters who are struggling to feel that they are enough in this world. One of the things I enjoy about Backman’s books is the fact that I never know where his story is going to end up. His creativity ensures that he does not create predictable characters or plot lines.

The only thing that attracts from the novel is a slow development aspect during the train ride. I felt it ruined the pacing of the novel, and it distracted the reader from the larger themes of acceptance.

Every page of this book is infused with bittersweet nostalgia for summer breaks with your childhood friends. Backman is able to capture the pain and joy of growing up and growing apart. Each character is distinct and lifelike and added slowly enough to give the reader time to learn each of them. Despite using a split timeline to tell two stories parallel to each other, I found both equally interesting and rarely was disappointed to find us returning to one over the other. The writing style is very introspective, spending paragraphs between each event with the internal reactions from the characters to said event before moving on, this may be offputting to some readers but I found it very enjoyable and these sections contained some of my favourite moments of the book. The perfect summer read that will make you laugh, cry, and call your childhood friends. Check trigger warnings.

Storygraph review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/259fd41f-0c8b-4fdc-a370-a70f5426b318
Tiktok review: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8FcxA7X/
Instagram review: https://www.instagram.com/p/DFQhU9WyCTz/?igsh=MWlsYXhoM2JxN3FhMA==

As a massive Fredrik Backman fan, this is by far my favorite book of his, and that's not a small feat. This book takes a deep dive into friendship and a real love story, and about finding yourself while also learning to move on. I laughed and cried throughout this entire book and by the end, I was a blubbering mess.

This book follows four people who met at just the age of 15 and were a little lost in life but united through art. Regardless of the cards that were given to them, as long as they had each other, they were solid. There's not much to say without spoiling it however, I think it's safe to say that all four of these characters find their way and become the hero of their own story in their own right. I cannot rave enough about this book and insist that you read this. I truly believe that this might make the list of best books of 2025.


Favorite quote: " That's all of life. All we can hope for. You mustn't think about the fact that it might end, because then you live like a coward, you never love too much or sing too loudly. You have to take it for granted..."

Fredrik Backman’s My Friends is a deeply moving and beautifully written story about the enduring power of friendship and art. It follows a group of teenagers who find solace and purpose on a seaside pier, creating bonds that echo through time. Decades later, aspiring artist Louisa uncovers their story through a mysterious painting, embarking on a journey that transforms her life.

Backman’s signature blend of humor and heart shines in this novel, capturing the joy, pain, and resilience of human connection. The characters are unforgettable, and the exploration of how small moments can ripple across generations is masterful.

Rating: 5/5 stars

My Friends by Fredrik Backman is a novel that transcends time to tell the story of four friends, and their impact on the life of a teenage girl twenty-five years later. Louisa meets the man who painted her favorite work of art completely by chance. After running into the artist, Louisa slowly unravels the story behind her favorite painting, “The One of the Sea.” Both the painting and the novel tell the tale of four friends, one summer, the sea, and the inextricable threads that tie them together, even twenty-fives years later.

As usual, Fredrik Backman has created a beautiful book about youth, loss, and what it means to navigate being a person. Joar, Kimkim, Ali, Ted, and Louisa leap off the page, and tug at your heartstrings from the very beginning. Backman employs his usual wonderful writing, full of endlessly quotable lines and perfectly captures the aching joy of childhood friendships.

I did find this to be a bit slow-paced at times, and it felt as though the story ran a bit longer than it needed to; however, I’ll read anything Fredrik Backman writes, and this was no exception!

his had all the hallmarks of Backman’s work that make him one of my favorites. Lovable underdog characters, beautiful reflections on relationships, subtle social commentary, little twists.

I did, interestingly, find myself asking if this was teetering into corny in moments; almost like Backman turned the dials of what makes his work brilliant too far up. Maybe that’s more a reflection of me and my own cynicism in an especially tough week?

Overall, Backman will keep his spot on my Mount Rushmore of authors and I’d for sure recommend picking this up, especially if you liked some of his other stand alone novels.

Many thanks to Atria for the ARC!

I liked this book, but it was not one of my favorites by Fredrik Backman. The story was slow developing, and did not hold my interest. It wasn't until the very end that I didn't want to put this book down.

25 years ago 3 boys spent a summer avoiding their abusive homes and a painting was born that launched a career.
Now a young girl raised in foster homes owns the painting and creates a new life for herself while trying to decide what best to do with it.

Fredrik Backman is, simply put, a literary genius. Time and time again, he delivers novels that are not only original but so impactful. My Friends, his latest novel, might just be my new favorite—and that’s saying something, considering how much I’ve adored every single one of his books.

This witty, emotional, and deeply moving novel explores the power of friendship in all its forms—the unexpected bonds, the chosen family, and the relationships that shape our lives in ways we never see coming. The journey Backman takes readers on is raw, real, and utterly unforgettable. His characters, both main and supporting, feel like people you’ve known forever, and they’ll stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.

My Friends is in a league of its own, a book that balances heartbreak and humor, leaving you both shattered and uplifted. Without a doubt, this will be one of my top reads of the year. I didn’t think it was possible to love his work more, but here we are—all the stars for this absolute gem!

Book reviews often begin with the description and, at times, quotes from the book to support why they like or dislike what they have read.

I’m not going to do that. I want you to experience every word, every sentence, every everything just as I did. All for the first time. 

Therefore this review is solely based on emotion.

That’s why we read books. Isn’t it?

To be stirred? Stimulate the imagination? Step in another’s shoes? Maybe we do so just because we want to feel.  

Every time we crack open a book we wish, and hope, for so much.

That’s why we read books.  

But then, there’s THAT book. That magnificent page turning beauty we hope it will be.  We all want it. When we hear that binding crinkle it’s first time we are hoping - wishing - it will be something we haven’t experienced before. 

I think we are all realistic enough to know we’re not going to find something amazing every time we open one.  But we are graciously willing to. accept a “that was good, I liked that,” book and we are on to the next. 

This book, however, is different. You CAN WISH for something extraordinary. 

Wish for something beautiful.

For something thoughtful and kind. 

Wish for something poetic and artistic. 

For a story not told before - even if you can liken it to others you’ve read (it was A Little Life for me).

Wish for picture-perfect imperfections with brief and calming respites for your heart. This way the rest of your body can catch up to how hard it is beating. 

One you could read again and again, finding more beauty in each experience.

Wish for the book you want to wake up with in the morning, nestled in your arms, not wanting to let these people go (I felt that with A Man Called Ove).

Because when you have finished you’ll realize My Friends will forever be a part of you. 

You will feel a want - maybe even a need - to be a kinder and more understanding person than you already are. 

You will be stirred by memories of your youth. 

You will feel something profound happening in your chest … You’ll realize it is your heart growing larger.

But most of all, and best of all, you will find your wish had come true.

That’s why we read books.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy.

It’s hard for me to be critical about any Fredrik Backman book as he has been such a favorite of mine over the years. My Friends was charming, poetic, and heartbreaking. My favorite parts of any Backman book is when he holds off a piece of characterization or a small detail until it’s absolutely necessary. I loved these friendships and they will stay with me for a long time

Fredrik Backman does it again! This is a story about friendship, coming of age, grief, abuse and is tied together with humour. The writing was lyrical and made me pause to digest it multiple times. Backman has a way of bringing his characters to life and making the reader feel compassion for them. This book didn’t have as big of an emotional impact as some of his novels did for me. I personally wasn’t able to connect as deeply with these characters. Thank you for the arc!

4.5/5