đ My Friends â Book Summary
My Friends is Fredrik Backmanâs 2025 novel exploring the enduring power of friendship and the ripple effects it can have across generations. The story unfolds across two timelines: in the present, 18-year-old Louisa, an aspiring artist, becomes captivated by a mysterious painting featuring three tiny figures at the end of a pier. Determined to uncover their story, she sets off on a journey of discovery. Twenty-five years earlier, four teenagersâJoar, Ted, Ali, and a future artistâspend their summer escaping troubled home lives on that very pier. What begins as a tale of youthful connection becomes a powerful meditation on how our closest relationships shape usâand sometimes, even become immortalized in art.
đ Key Takeaways
- Friendship lasts beyond time: Bonds formed in youth can shape lives long after theyâre made.
- Art is a time capsule: A painting can preserve emotional truths and immortalize relationships.
- Found family is powerful: Sometimes the people we choose offer more comfort than those we’re born to.
- Moments matter: Small acts of kindness and defiance can echo across decades.
- Hope persists: Even amid pain, connection brings light and meaning.
đ Overview
Published in May 2025, My Friends is one of Fredrik Backman’s most emotionally resonant novels to date. With his signature blend of humor and depth, Backman tells a story about memory, love, and the unbreakable bonds of chosen family. The book quickly became a New York Times bestseller and was praised by critics and readers alike for its dual-timeline structure, heartfelt themes, and narrative ambition. Combining coming-of-age fiction with subtle mystery and artistic themes, itâs a story that lingers long after the final page.
âď¸ About the Author
Fredrik Backman is the Swedish author behind beloved titles like A Man Called Ove, Beartown, and Anxious People. His books, known for their emotional nuance and wit, have sold millions of copies worldwide and been translated into over 40 languages. Backman is celebrated for his ability to find beauty in everyday life and depth in seemingly simple stories. A former blogger and columnist, he brings empathy, insight, and warmth to each of his novels.
đ Reception and Impact
Since its release, My Friends has received widespread critical acclaim:
- Instant New York Times Bestseller
- Indie Next List Top Pick, celebrated by independent booksellers
- Described as âfunny, heartfelt, and wiseâ
- Lauded by critics as âBackmanâs most ambitious workâ
- Thousands of readers report re-reading the novel for its emotional resonance
đ Plot and World-Building
The novel alternates between two timelines:
- Present Day: Louisa, an 18-year-old art student, discovers three tiny figures at the end of a pier in a world-famous painting and becomes obsessed with identifying them.
- Twenty-Five Years Earlier: In a quiet coastal town, four teenagersâJoar, Ted, Ali, and a future artistâform a close-knit group during a life-changing summer on an abandoned pier.
That pier becomes a safe haven, a place to escape troubled homes, joke about life, and share vulnerable truths. Itâs not just a physical refuge but a symbol of the safe space created through deep, unconditional friendship. Through these two timelines, Backman reveals how seemingly small moments can create ripples that influence others for generations.
đ Main Storyline
Louisa, a passionate young artist, spots a trio of small, barely noticeable figures in the corner of a famous painting. Where others see only the sea, she sees a mysteryâand sets out to find out who those people were.
Shifting back to the past, we meet Joar, Ted, Ali, and the unnamed artistâfour teenagers from broken or complicated families who find friendship, solace, and meaning in each other. Their time on the pier becomes the most formative period of their lives. What they share thereâhumor, secrets, grief, hopeâwill not only define their futures but eventually touch Louisaâs life as well.
đ Key Characters and Themes
Main Characters
- Louisa â An aspiring artist in the present day who is drawn to a mysterious painting.
- Joar â A hot-tempered but loyal teen, always ready to stand up for those he cares about.
- Ted â A quiet, thoughtful boy dealing with grief and longing for connection.
- Ali â A strong-willed daughter of immigrants, struggling with identity and belonging.
- The Artist â The fourth friend, who ultimately captures their summer in a piece of art that becomes a cultural landmark.
Major Themes
- The transformative power of friendship â Deep bonds made in youth can shape entire lives.
- Art as memory â Creative expression can preserve emotion and meaning across decades.
- Coming of age â Adversity, when shared with others, can lead to growth and lasting connection.
- Found family â True belonging is often found with those we choose to let in.
- Intergenerational connection â The past continuously shapes the present.
- Hope through connection â Even in the darkest moments, friendship can be a guiding light.
đ§ Who Should Read This?
This novel is perfect for readers who enjoy:
- Fredrik Backmanâs other novels, like A Man Called Ove or Anxious People
- Coming-of-age stories that center on friendship and emotional growth
- Dual-timeline narratives that link past and present
- Literary fiction with emotional depth and subtle humor
- Stories about art and creativity that bridge generations
- Found family themes, where chosen relationships offer healing
- Book club picks with themes ripe for reflection and conversation
đŹ Best Quote
âThis story is about friendship. About people who nestle themselves in your heart and refuse to leave, wherever you are and whatever happens.â
This line encapsulates the novelâs emotional core: how the people we love in our most formative moments stay with usâforever.
đ Final Thoughts
My Friends may be Fredrik Backmanâs most heartfelt and ambitious novel yet. Through two beautifully told timelines, it explores how friendship can save us, define us, and even inspire generations to come. Backmanâs strength lies in making the ordinary feel extraordinary, and here he transforms summer afternoons on a pier into something immortal.
This is a story of connectionâbetween young people trying to survive, and between a future artist and a stranger who sees herself in their story. Rich with empathy, humor, and insight, My Friends is a celebration of art, memory, and love that doesnât fade.
đ Read This If YouâŚ
- Loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo or The Midnight Library
- Are drawn to stories about formative teenage friendships
- Appreciate dual-timeline fiction with rich emotional threads
- Enjoy novels about art, legacy, and memory
- Like stories that blend humor with heartbreak
- Seek tales of chosen family and loyalty
- Want an emotionally resonant, satisfying read
â FAQ
Q: Is this connected to Backmanâs other novels?
A: No, My Friends is a standalone novel and not part of any series.
Q: Is this suitable for young adult readers?
A: While it features teen characters, itâs written for an adult audience. Mature teens may also appreciate it.
Q: How emotional is it?
A: Like most of Backmanâs books, itâs very emotionalâwith both laughter and tearsâbut ultimately hopeful.
Q: Do I need to know anything about art?
A: No prior knowledge is needed. Art is a narrative device used to explore deeper emotional themes.
Q: How does it compare to his other books?
A: Many readers consider this Backmanâs most ambitious novel in terms of structure and emotional scope. It still retains his trademark warmth and depth.
