My Friends: A Novel

*My Friends* was my favorite book of 2025. I loved it so much that I gifted it to other people because I needed everyone around me to experience this story too. And if you want to know how much I LOVED this book, just ask. I became completely obsessed with these characters and the friendship at the heart of the book. Twenty-five years ago, four teenagers found safety, love, and a family in one another while dealing with lives that were far more difficult than they should have been. In the present, Louisa’s connection to a famous painting leads her on a journey to uncover the story behind the artwork, and the friends who inspired it. I loved how central art was to the story: how it preserved a moment, connected people across time, gave pain somewhere to go, and allowed someone who felt invisible to be seen. But even more than that, I loved the friendship. Backman captures the kind of bond where people know the worst parts of one another and choose to stay anyway. These characters made me laugh, broke my heart, and stayed with me long after I finished reading. I already love Fredrik Backman, but this book somehow made me love him even more. I recently saw an interview where he explained that he wants his writing to feel as though you’ve sat down next to someone at a bar and they’ve said, “Let me tell you a story.” That is exactly what reading his books feels like... and yes, please, Fredrik Backman: sit next to me and tell me all the stories, all the time. I will always be ready to listen.

After reading "A Man Called Ove" Years ago, I came across another book by Backman. This story of friendship had so many beautiful moments that brought me to tears and reminded me of the heart of life many times. I found myself wanting to skip over the present narrative between Ted and Louisa (although they were lovable in their own way at moments), and get back to the story of four friends, which was beautifully written and a well paced plot. Will recommend to friends!

Fredrick Backman helps me look at people and places in a refreshing, nonjudgmental and engaging way and this is no exception. This story of friends has a strong connection to art, artists and creation. He celebrates many ways and differences of growing up with unique collection of personalities and abilities. He helps me to laugh and weep while experiencing life that is messy and imperfect. I enjoyed this book and found it difficult to put down.

The characters, the prose, the storytelling, the pure humanity of this novel are breathtaking beautiful. I devoured every sentence and am going to recommend this book to everyone I know.

I have read all but books by Fredrik Backman. They are addictive. I am anxious to read ending because he always throws twists in I didnt see coming. But when I finish I am disappointed he doesnt have another new one. I honestly was caught by surprise by some things, had tears at other times but I laughed so! The conversations between Ted and Louisa are really funny. She has no filter and he's a little mouse when he responds to her. What a great book. I think I am going back to read "A Man Called Ove". I remember I had some laughs with that one, too. Highly recommend.

I had a really hard time getting into this book. I was probably a third of the way through before things started to click. But once they did, once I understood the characters and the scope of the narrative I found the book hard to put down. All of my predictions turned out to be wrong. Backman's books are often like that. But that keeps things interesting and keeps me reading. I recommend it. Stick with it. You won't be sorry.

This is a must read! The characters are so interesting, you get drawn into the story and it is so hard to put down.

It looks like I'm alone on this, but I don't get all the love, here. I find this author's writing style frustrating, as he purposely misleads the reader only so he can pull out a narrative 'twist' that will pack an emotional punch. I prefer an author who can pack an emotional punch with great characters and story, without having to manipulate the reader. The real issue is that it forces his characters to say things or relay information in such a way that makes no sense. That's unrealistic. The only reason his characters talk as such is so he can pull of the 'twist' later in the book. In this book specifically, he sets up a major event early in the book, and teases it for the next hundred pages. Then you finally get to it and it's not what you expect. Only then you look back, and you wonder why the heck the characters said what they said at certain times, and you realize it's only so the author could pull a switcheroo in the finale. Then you add in the overly insightful dialogue, with characters speaking in ridiculous metaphors that no one would ever utter. It's fine for a while, but it's every character on almost every page. It pulls me out of the story. It reminds me of the show 'This is Us', which manipulated the viewer in order to make you feel something. This is compared to a show like 'Parenthood', that earned every single emotional beat through honest and effective writing. This doesn't bother everyone, my wife liked this book and 'This is Us', but it certainly rubs me the wrong way. That said, you'll probably like this book. For me, the author manipulating the reader through unrealistic dialogue and and character decisions isn't compelling to me.

I love all Fredrick Backman’s books but I think this was the best. Made me cry, made me laugh, kept me up all night & sneaking off in the day to read. His characters are incredible and the writing pure poetry.

My partner and I both read this book and absolutely loved it. Feel good story, nostalgic in many ways, very good read.

Incredible. Just incredible. I cried and laughed all at the same time and finished the book in a day. Couldn’t put it down.

This book is the definition of human experience. Painful, scary, but if you have humans to love and love you back, you can find pockets of laughter and joy amongst the dark parts and all is worth. The book is this, sadness and joy, sorrow and friendship. Don't trust the author, he misleads you for half the book.

I really loved this book. One of the best i ever read. A nice novel picturing friendhip among teenagers as a safe space when you do not feel love, understanding, care, safety at home. A story of hope that keeps you engaged smiling at how it develop bittersweetly.... Super recommended