My Friends: A Novel

Every book by Fredrik Backman carries its own unique human values. In My Friends, he takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster, from moments of joy to deep sorrow. He also weaves in sharp critiques of how society operates, highlights the beauty of friendship, and sprinkles in thought-provoking quotes that linger in your mind long after you've turned the last page.This is the story of four friends. And one girl who needs to connect with them, Twenty-five years old ago, four teenagers forged a bond that nothing can break. They find refuge from their bruising home lives by spending long summer days on an abandoned pier, telling silly jokes, sharing secrets, and committing small acts of rebellion. These lost souls find in each other a reason to get up each morning, a reason to dream, a reason to love.Four people, four different backgrounds, yet they all share one thing in common—a kind and compassionate heart. As I flipped from one chapter to the next, I found myself unable to hold back my tears. Their suffering resonated with me on a personal level, making it all too easy to step into their shoes and feel their pain. Watching them endure cruelty, harsh judgment, and a lack of appreciation from those around them stirred a whirlwind of emotions within me—sadness, frustration, and even anger. I couldn’t help but wonder why adults so often focus only on the surface, never looking deeper to truly understand. But sadly, that’s just how the world works nowadays—cold, indifferent, and blind to the emotions of others, leaving wounds that cut deep into the hearts of those who already carry so much pain. Fredrik Backman has never let me down, and My Friends is no exception. I truly believe this book will leave an unforgettable mark on every reader’s heart, thanks to the profound and beautiful values he brings to life.Reading My Friends made me truly understand the saying, money doesn’t buy happiness. For some, wealth can grant them everything they desire, wrapping their lives in luxury and comfort. But The Artist showed me a different truth—happiness, for him, was not something money could ever replace. To him, joy was woven into the memories he shared with his friends, the moments that made life meaningful. No amount of money could turn back time, nor could it bring back the one he had lost. Some things in this world are simply priceless.

SYNOPSIS | Louisa is an 18-year-old orphan who is grieving the loss of her best friend (Fish) when she breaks into an art auction in the hopes of seeing a world-famous painting. After this, she meets Ted who is a 39-year-old man grieving the loss of his best friend ('the artist'). As they travel to his hometown, he begins to tell her the story that led to the creation of the world-famous painting.WHAT I LIKED:- Backman's writing style (& his ability to bring humor to heavy topics) is impeccable- such a heartwarming yet gut-wrenching story chock full of quirky characters that you can't help but fall in love with- I don't annotate books but ooof this story had so many perfect quotes & moments that I wanted to remember later- the fact I laughed out loud, shed some tears and somehow managed to feel nostalgic about a childhood summer that I never experienced- "I love you and I trust you"WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:- that I have to wait to get my hands on another Backman story!

My sour is filled every time I read this author’s works. This story begins with a teenage girl, Louisa, who is very gifted. She is also very alone and has bounced around the foster care system. She is frightened and running from almost everything. By chance, she meets an artist who bequeaths her a painting. And thus the adventures begin, this story of “geniuses “ who find one another has brought me to tears. Anyone who has lost friends from long ago will appreciate the plot of “My Friends: A Novel”. Another masterpiece of emotions: tears, laughter, warmth, abuse, and faithfulness. I highly recommend this book.

The story: Four childhood friends, each enduring their own trauma, support each other, and one of them is on his way to becoming a world-famous artist. It all began when he painted them on a pier when they were fifteen years old. Twenty-five years later he died, but not before leaving the world-famous painting to an aspiring artist he met in an alleyway as she graffitied a wall. Now his remaining friends have a new purpose in life, someone who needs their support.My thoughts: I am giving the book four stars based upon the writer's ability, not the story. The story feels contrived, as if it was pieced together with odds-and-ends to reach four hundred pages. I read the author's books, but he disappoints me more often than not.

Fredrik Bachman is a true master of the art of writing with a unique way of telling a story. Some scenes seemed repetitive, and the dialogue and exposition were confusing to me, particularly with one of the main characters often being referred to with different proper nouns or a pronoun. It could have something to do with the translation. That said, I loved the story. The characters leap off the page as the reader joins them on a remarkable adventure. This will be a movie.

I have read every one of Backman’s books and I am always impressed with the way he can make you laugh and cry and surprise you with an ending you don’t see coming. With sensitivity and understanding of the frailty and strength of the human condition as we each try to find our way forward to a most desirable ordinary life where friends help with the journey to what we all hope for, a happy ending. I loved this book and look forward to the next one.

Frederik Backman has an amazing above to see and tell stories about people, real and all that makes us human. He plays the readers emotions masterfully, bringing in us in touch with profound human pain, with enough humor to allow us to keep reading, until he teaches us about what happiness is and can be. It’s a story of youth and growth, of sadness and profound pain, and about the life sustaining power of art, friendship and resilience