My Friends by Fredrik Backman

Rating: 5+ of 5 stars 

Pages: 448 pages
Published: May 2025

If you follow my reading blog, you must know Fredrik Backman is my auto-buy author. I love everything he writes, and I hope one day to have at least 1/16 of the talent he has when writing creatively. So, as you might suspect, I pre-ordered his latest novel, My Friends, and was downright giddy when it arrives in time for my long haul trip to Greece in late May. What can I say about My Friends? It's, of course, about a friend group. But it's so much more. It's about community, art, surviving, creating, dying, growing. It's about what Backman writes best - the human condition. Let me try to provide a succinct summary, and then I will attempt to convey my feelings about this stupendous novel. 

In My Friends, Backman brings us four teenagers whose friendship is so strong, it literally stands the test of time and ultimately affects a complete stranger, in the very best way, when one of the friends meets the stranger decades later after another of the friends has succumb to an illness. The friend who has passed on was a famous artist, and his first painting has moved millions but specifically, Louisa - the stranger, who is an aspiring artist herself. A chance encounter with the artist's friend leads them both down a path of self-discovery (Louisa) and healing (the friend). The story is complex, and a paragraph blurb about the plot simply cannot do it justice. As with most of Backman's stories, he creates layered nuisances that slowly come full circle not only providing a satisfying conclusion, but an emotionally-filled one as well. This book made me laugh, think, and cry. 

Backman's prose is top-notch. His storytelling is vulnerable, and it reaches the depths of souls. I follow the author on social media, and I know he fights against a darkness that many of us do. Before this book was released to the public, some of his social media posts hinted at the possibility that this may be his last writing. While I hope it is not, I am so grateful for what he has provided the literary fiction community thus far. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this book today. 

Recommendation: My Friends captures the very essence of friendship and celebrates the ties that hold us together, even in the face of the most devastating tragedies. Backman's signature writing style touches on so many themes and is sure to catch the eyes of many readers and all the bestseller lists this summer. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.