My Friends

A Novel

De: Fredrik Backman

Narrado por: Marin Ireland

A Most Anticipated Book of 2025: Goodreads • USA TODAY • Marie Claire • BookPage • Literary Lifestyle • Book Riot • Sunset Magazine • Totally Booked with Zibby Owens

#1 New York Times bestselling author Fredrik Backman returns with an unforgettably funny, deeply moving tale of four teenagers whose friendship creates a bond so powerful that it changes a complete stranger’s life twenty-five years later.

Most people don’t even notice them—three tiny figures sitting at the end of a long pier in the corner of one of the most famous paintings in the world. Most people think it’s just a depiction of the sea. But Louisa, an aspiring artist herself, knows otherwise, and she is determined to find out the story of these three enigmatic figures.

Twenty-five years earlier, in a distant seaside town, a group of teenagers find refuge from their bruising home lives by spending long summer days on an abandoned pier, telling silly jokes, sharing secrets, and committing small acts of rebellion. These lost souls find in each other a reason to get up each morning, a reason to dream, a reason to love.

Out of that summer emerges a transcendent work of art, a painting that will unexpectedly be placed into eighteen-year-old Louisa’s care. She embarks on a surprise-filled cross-country journey to learn how the painting came to be and to decide what to do with it. The closer she gets to the painting’s birthplace, the more nervous she becomes about what she’ll find. Louisa is proof that happy endings don’t always take the form we expect in this stunning testament to the transformative, timeless power of friendship and art.

©2025 Fredrik Backman (P)2025 Simon & Schuster Audio

heart breaking and life affirming. filled with Idiots.

I just finished reading this. my heart is heavy, and soaring. Backman's words are magic.

All the emotions

There is something about Fredrick Backman's books that hits me in all feels. Maybe it's because I'm an educator and I see my students in his characters, maybe it's the way he is able to convey emotions in such a beautiful way. Whatever it is, this book was a wonderful experience.

The best

This may be the best book i've ever read
/listened to. I imagine that its impact is greater for all of us who have lost someone, but even so, it will move you deeply.

Must listen!

Hands down one of the best books I've listened to! It is really beautiful, touching, heart wrenching and funny. Loved the unexpected twists & turns. I bought the print copy so I could re-read and highlight

Hopi and Love

I love Frederick Bachman‘s writing. Everything about it. I laugh. I cry I weep. I actually spent the last hour and a half reading this book crying, hoping it wouldn’t end.

Reflecting

This is one of those novels that will stick with me for a very long time. Backman has a way of writing and developing characters that is so unique and engaging you want to gulp down the story as fast as possible and also sip it so slowly to make it last. Highly recommend

Best Characters

In full disclosure, Backman is one of my favorite authors. Bear that in mind as you consider my review. I am more drawn to character than plot and Backman writes beautiful characters. This was a great book.

If you had childhood best friends (and I hope you had at least one), this book will take you back. This story is not my story, but these friendships are my friendships. A wonderful journey back in time - whether traveling through memory, on a train, or in a car with a questionable driver - I enjoyed this trip.

Thanks for another wonderful book.

Such a Wonderful Book!!

Loved every minute of it. The story wove the love of friends and love of art beautifully. The narration was perfect!

A JEWEL!!

I truly felt like I was the one who found a work of art when I read this! The characters will live on forever. There aren’t many books that cross so many genres and hit every note so perfectly. THIS IS A MUST READ! It will not be the last time I read it, and I look forward to finding more titles by Fredrick Backman. The narration deserves more than 5 stars as well.

Excellent story

Every artist, teacher, parent and human should read this beautiful book about art and human connections.