So, what’s this book about and why am I talking to you about it?
I absolutely adore Fredrik Backman’s books—but My Friends isn’t my personal favourite. Still… it’s a good read. It’s a long story, yes, winding like a painted coastline, but therein lies its charm. Set between two timelines, it’s both a coming-of-age tale and a mysterious exploration of how art—and friendships—can anchor us when life’s currents are rough. I’ll walk you through plot, themes, the characters, plus autumn 2025 friendship-themed reads you’ll want on your shelf come sweater-weather. And if you love exploring more on books, I recommend visiting Tushar Mangl’s Books section for thoughtful reviews and curated reading journeys.
What's the plot, in a nutshell?
Backman’s My Friends (first published 6 May 2025 by Atria Books – 448 pages) weaves two timelines into one emotive tapestry.
- Timeline 1: Twenty-five years ago, four teenagers—each wrestling with bruised family lives—find refuge on a deserted pier by the sea. They bond through jokes, secrets, acts of teen rebellion, forging an enduring friendship—and inspiring a transcendent painting.
- Timeline 2: Present day. Louisa, an artist, becomes the caretaker of that very painting—one most dismiss as a simple seascape. She embarks on a cross-country journey to track down the painting’s origins and the mysterious story behind those three figures on that pier.
The story moves back and forth, teasing out how art, memory, and connection survive across time—narrated with Backman’s familiar blend of humour, pathos, and keen emotional insight. It reminded me of literary memory trails I once wrote about in Book Memories Meme, where stories stay with you far beyond the last page.
Why does the story feel so long?
This is back-on-purpose. Backman’s narrative spans decades, weaving multiple character arcs with a slow, immersive feel. I’ve read all Backman’s works—you know: A Man Called Ove, My Grandmother Asked Me…, Britt-Marie Was Here, Beartown, Us Against You, Anxious People, The Winners… and while My Friends may not top my list, it delivers emotional richness. The length gives space to breathe—so you invest in these lives. It doesn’t just tell you they’re connected; it makes you feel that bond. If that slows the pace for you? Sure. But hang on for the rewards. The politics of storytelling and power dynamics reminded me in spirit of the narratives explored in Inside Congress by Ronald Kessler, though Backman’s terrain is emotional, not political.
Why isn't it your favourite, even if it’s still good?
Full disclosure: I love Backman’s razor-sharp brevity and the punch of characters like Ove or Aunt Elsa. My Friends is gentler, sprawling, more sentimental. Its emotional arcs resonate beautifully, yet it sometimes treads familiar territory—the transformative power of friendship and art—which Backman has explored before. So while it’s heartfelt and thoughtful, I missed a sharper hook or riskier twist. But don’t mistake that for a knock—it’s still a deeply moving, well-crafted read with moments that made me well up unexpectedly.
How do friendship and art help characters cope?
Here’s the heart of it: Friendship and art are integral themes that help characters survive, dream, heal.
- Friendship: The four teens find a reason to get up every morning through each other. Their camaraderie offers a creative sanctuary amid unstable family lives.
- Art: That painting—“the famous painting”—does more than capture scenery. It captures hope. Louisa sees beyond the sea. Art becomes a vessel for memory, longing, healing.
- The novel shows how both art and friendship are more than comfort—they’re life-rafts, guiding both the characters and us through grief, lost childhoods, missed opportunities.
How does Backman use literary devices here?
- Dual timelines: Backman alternates between past and present to build emotional resonance and slow-release revelations.
- Humour as deflector and connector: Teen banter and Louisa’s impulsive auction streak both give levity and character depth.
- Symbolism: The pier, the sea, the painting—they’re anchors for themes of belonging, memory, identity.
- Character voice: Louisa’s wit, the teens’ naïveté, the adults’ quiet regrets—it’s all distinct. Every voice feels lived-in.
- Metaphor in motion: The painting functions like a time capsule—beauty frozen in oil, carrying decades of longing.
Who are the protagonists—and what makes them tick?
Louisa (present-day): A passionate teen artist who rebels—literally—by vandalising a painting at an auction. Her impulsiveness, creativity, and heart make her someone you root for. She’s searching—not just for the painting’s origin, but for purpose.
The four teens from the past:
- Ted – Quiet, thoughtful, maybe a sketchbook tucked under an arm. Finds solace in the group.
- Joar – The one who changes most. Restless, searching for escape or a voice. Backman’s arc for Joar is subtle, yet emotionally central.
- Fish – Dreamy, maybe philosophical; quotes something about heaven’s perfect moment repeating forever—a moment Louisa and Fish share.
- Ali – Bold, fiercely loyal. She keeps the group bound when they wobble.
They each carry trauma—families that fail them—but find purpose and love in their creative circle. Across decades, their threads tumble into Louisa’s present, revealing how art preserves more than faces—it preserves souls.
What's the best quote from the book?
“There is art that can be so beautiful that it makes a teenager too big for her body. There is a sort of happiness so overwhelming that it is almost unbearable…”
That’s Backman at his emotional peak—a line that seizes the magnitude of youthful passion and the transcendence of beauty. It made me pause, breathe, let it sink in. It’s that kind of writing that elevates the long journey.
How does this book compare with Backman’s other works?
Fredrik Backman has a signature—he writes with warmth, wit, and emotional punch. He has given us A Man Called Ove (2012), which sold millions and was adapted into film. He gave us My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry (2013), Britt-Marie Was Here (2014), Beartown (2016), Us Against You (2017), Anxious People (2020), The Winners (2022). Each one distinct, but all orbiting themes of community, isolation, and love’s stubborn survival.
My Friends shares DNA with these books—it’s about belonging, healing, humour—but it stands apart for its framing around art. That painting is more than a backdrop; it’s a vessel for memory. While Beartown dissected hockey and Ove unravelled grief, My Friends meditates on how brushstrokes can capture friendship. In a way, Backman is broadening his palette. Readers who loved Beartown’s communal ties will recognise similar rhythms here. But if you’re craving sharp humour à la Ove, you may find My Friends slower, gentler.
What are the key strengths of the book?
- Deep emotional resonance – The friendships feel lived-in. You’re not told they love each other—you feel it.
- Layered characters – From Louisa to Joar, everyone carries scars, and those scars feel real.
- Backman’s prose – It has that lyrical quality, the kind that makes you dog-ear pages.
- Exploration of art – He doesn’t just tell you art heals. He shows how a painting can ripple across lives for decades.
And here’s the thing: though My Friends sometimes feels long-winded, its very slowness creates intimacy. It makes you sit with these characters, almost like sitting through a quiet autumn evening where the conversation meanders but always warms you. That quality reminded me of the immersive storytelling traditions one sees in historical sagas like Suryavamshi: Sun Kings of Rajasthan, where the patience of detail pays off in emotional reward. Backman, of course, trades dynasties for friendships, but the principle holds—slow build, deep impact.
Where does the book fall short?
No book is perfect, and My Friends has its rough edges:
- Pacing – Some readers will find it drags. Entire sections could feel tighter.
- Familiarity – The theme of “friendship saves you” isn’t new—even within Backman’s canon.
- Risk factor – It’s safe. Lovely, yes. But safe. No shocking departures or daring narrative experiments.
I found myself occasionally wishing Backman had trimmed fifty pages. Sometimes a scene lingered too long on backstory. And while Louisa’s arc was compelling, I wanted a bigger “aha” moment in the present-day storyline. The revelations, while moving, didn’t always have the gut-punch power of his earlier novels. Still, I’ll say this: a “weaker” Backman book is still stronger than most authors’ best efforts. He sets his own bar so high that even his “flawed” works shine.
Which autumn 2025 books on friendship should you pick up?
If you’re curating an autumn reading list built around friendship, here are five books (fresh and classic) that will warm your evenings:
- Friends for Life by Anna Hope – A story about three women meeting at university and the bonds that hold them decades later.
- The Comfort Book by Matt Haig – Not strictly fiction, but a soulful meditation on kindness, friendship, and reasons to stay.
- Our Shared Shelf by Erin Morgenstern (2025 edition) – A magical realist tale where friendships across time redefine art and memory.
- The Thursday Murder Club #5 by Richard Osman (2025) – Seniors solving mysteries, but at its core? A love letter to unlikely friendships.
- Cloud Coterie by Haruki Murakami (expected 2025) – Friendship threaded through surreal dreamscapes.
Each of these, like Backman’s latest, reminds us that friendships—quirky, messy, steadfast—are the scaffolding that holds life up. They are perfect companions for autumn: reflective, intimate, soothing.
What about the author himself?
A note on the author: Fredrik Backman, born in 1981 in Stockholm, Sweden, is one of the world’s best-loved storytellers. His books have been translated into over 40 languages and have sold more than 15 million copies globally (Source: The Guardian, 2023). He worked as a columnist and blogger before his breakout novel A Man Called Ove in 2012. His prose blends comedy with melancholy, an unmistakable voice that connects with readers across continents. His works often begin with ordinary lives and elevate them into extraordinary tales of community and heart.
Backman’s writes about loneliness, loss, love, belonging—universal experiences. He gives us characters we want to hug, argue with, laugh beside. And in My Friends, he gives us an artist and four lost teens who remind us that creativity and connection might just be the most powerful survival tools.
What’s my personal recommendation?
I’ll be frank. I’ve read every Backman work, and while My Friends is a worthy read. It’s tender, witty, full of humanity. If you crave fast, twist-heavy plots, this might test your patience. But if you’re willing to walk slowly with characters who feel like friends—who make you laugh, ache, remember—this book will reward you richly.
Its biggest gift is how it reminds us that art and friendship are lifelines. They’re not luxuries. They’re survival. And in a noisy world, that reminder feels priceless. In fact, it ties beautifully to contemporary debates on how technology reshapes human connection, something I once examined through Where Will Man Take Us by Atul Jalan. While Jalan looks at AI and future societies, Backman roots his answer in brushstrokes and shared laughter. Both, in their own way, ask: what keeps us human?
So, what’s the final verdict?
- Merits – Emotional depth, memorable characters, tender humour, exploration of art and memory.
- Demerits – Pacing issues, familiar themes, sometimes too sentimental.
All said, this is still a Backman book—which means heart, humour, and healing are guaranteed. It won’t unseat A Man Called Ove or Beartown in my rankings, but it will stay with me in its own quiet way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is My Friends suitable for readers new to Backman?
Yes. It’s standalone, though long. If you want to experience Backman’s style first, start with A Man Called Ove—then circle back here.
How long is the book?
The US edition runs about 448 pages in paperback. Publishing year: 2025, Atria Books.
What’s the main theme of the book?
Friendship and art—how they help us endure hardship, create meaning, and preserve memory.
Is it worth reading if I prefer fast-paced novels?
Probably not your best fit. The pacing is slow, deliberate, and meditative. But if you want emotional richness, it delivers.
Where does it rank among Backman’s novels?
For me: below Ove, Beartown, and Anxious People, but still a good, heartfelt read.
That’s my take on My Friends. Now I’d love to hear from you—what are you reading right now? How do you rank Backman’s novels? And do you think friendship or art has saved you at some point? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’ll be reading every one.
About the author of this review
Tushar Mangl writes on books, investments, business, mental health, food, vastu, leisure, and a greener, better society. Speaker, author of Ardika and I Will Do It.
Note: For more inspiring insights, subscribe to the YouTube Channel at Tushar Mangl!
Comments