My Friends by Fredrik Backman

My Friends by Fredrik Backman

I enjoyed Anxious People so much that I immediately ran out to get Fredrik Backman's most recent novel, My Friends, only just released in May. Already it is a New York Times Bestseller and was named one of the Most Anticipated Books of 2025 by a whole host of publications. It deals with addiction and alcoholism, animal cruelty, bullying, cancer, child abuse and domestic abuse, chronic and terminal illness, homophobia, mental illness, pedophilia and rape, self harm, suicidal thoughts, grief, death of a parent, abandonment, and classism.

Louisa has kept a postcard of C Jat's painting "The One of the Sea" throughout her many years of traveling between foster homes and sleeping in cars. When she finds out that the painting is up for auction, she knows that she has to see it in person. In doing so, she is able to meet the artist and he is transfixed by the way that Louisa paints. He instructs Ted to find Louisa and deliver a gift to her. He tells Ted that Louisa is "one of us". Ted cannot refuse, no matter how badly he wants to. What starts as a simple delivery ends up with Louisa joining Ted as he travels back to his home town and is told the story of how the painting was created - and of the people who inspired it.

What a lovely story of four teenagers who found love and belonging in a world that did not want them to have it, creating a friendship that continues to inspire. Fredrik Backman again delivers on the quality of his characters and how well developed and believable they are while still taking them on their own journeys of self discovery. And again, the story has so many twists and turns that I just didn't know what to expect but never once found it confusing to follow. I have heard that some find Fredrik Backman's writing a little slow, I admit that the middle of this book lagged a little and I found it difficult to stay engaged, but that was the only issue I had and it was relatively short lived. Funny, charming, heartfelt and at times heart wrenching.

I'm giving My Friends by Fredrik Backman 4.25 stars out of 5. I did not like it as much as I did Anxious People, which I thought was difficult to put down. But I did enjoy this book immensely and if you are looking for something a little deeper, a little more though provoking, and entirely endearing, look no further.

For more from the author, see his author's page at https://www.simonandschuster.com/p/fredrik-backman

Pairs well with lasagna and allowing yourself to see the beauty of an ordinary, boring life.

My favorite quote of the book: "Adults always think they can protect children by stopping them from going dangerous places, but every teenager knows that's pointless because the most dangerous place in the world is inside us. Fragile hearts break in palaces and in dark alleys alike."

Review of Anxious People by Fredrik Backman