My Friends
By Fredrik Backman
Atria, May 2025, 448pp.
The Short of It:
A keeper. Whether it’s on audio, in paperback or hardback. Get yourself a copy.
The Rest of It:
The title is appropriate. My Friends promises to be a buddy story, and let me tell you, it does not disappoint. Think Stand by Me or Stranger Things but without the Demogorgons.
Louisa received a postcard of three children on a pier and from that moment on she has been obsessed with that image. More so, because she is an artist herself. Oh sure, she doesn’t see herself as one but her obsession with that image brings her to the museum where that painting is hanging on a gallery wall.
So begins the story. Louisa’s rough upbringing lends her a raw, tattered edge that most see as trouble. She looks homeless because she is. At just 18 years old, she’s seen things and although she has found love once before, the idea of ever finding it again seems impossible. She’s guarded and hides behind her hair most of the time.
One day in an alley, after fleeing a tense situation that she got herself into, she meets a “homeless” man who changes everything for her. Just their meeting sparks something inside of her. Who is this man? And what wisdom does he hold?
I don’t want to give the story away because it’s an amazing story of friendship and love. A buddy story for sure but so much more. These characters are so real, I felt like I knew them. They each represent someone we know. Guaranteed.
Get yourself a copy. You won’t be sorry. There is so much here about love and art and friendship. It brought a tear to my eye a few times.
Highly recommend.
Source: Borrowed
Disclosure: This post contains Bookshop.org affiliate links.
Book Chatter 
boo. I waited and waited for this to be released. And than…I really disliked it. I was bored. Was i comparing it the Beartown trilogy? A Man called Ove? Maybe. I dont know. But I carted it off to goodwill. He will always be an autobuy for me and it really must be me bc all the reviews are glowing like yours
Merry Christmas!
Did you finish it? I loved the friendship/buddy/childhood bits. I kept returning to those moments plus the art. I am a sucker for art stories.
I am seeing this book everywhere. I gave it a go, but had to DNF it. I’m not understanding what all the fuss is about. From your post it sounds terrific, but I just didn’t get that when I read the first chapter. Oh well. I’m glad you loved it 🙂
Nadia, listen to me. YOU MUST READ IT. I was not all that impressed with Beartown so I skipped this one initially. Boy, I am glad I went back to it.
Ti, I am definitely going to read it now 🙂 Thanks!
I keep meaning to read this.
Ryan, it is so good. I don’t say that lightly.
Backman strikes again! I thought this one was good as well. Glad you liked it.
I guess this one was Goodreads novel of the year. Glad you liked it so much. I haven’t tried a book of his since the first Beartown novel …. but maybe i should. hmm
Funny you mention Beartown. Wasn’t in love with that one but My Friends checked all the boxes for me. Childhood friendships and art? I am in.
My book group is voting on our 2026 calendar and this is one of the nominations. I’ve enjoyed some, but not all of Backman’s books, so we’ll see how I like this one. Glad you enjoyed it, but it seems to have mixed reviews.
You are spot on with Backman. I have not enjoyed all of his books but this one is about childhood friends and art. Can’t love it more.