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My Friends
#1 New York Times bestselling author Fredrik Backman, who “captures the messy essence of being human” (The Washington Post), returns with an unforgettably funny, deeply moving tale of four teenagers whose friendship creates a bond so powerful that it changes a 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 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 town, a group of teenagers find refuge from their difficult home lives by spending their days laughing and telling stories out on a pier. There’s Joar, who never backs down from a fight; quiet and bookish Ted who is mourning his father; Ali, the daughter of a man who never stays in one place for long; and finally, there’s the artist, a boy who hoards sleeping pills and shuns attention, but who possesses an extraordinary gift that might be his ticket to a better life. These four lost souls find in each other a reason to get up each morning, a reason to dream.
Out of that summer emerges a transcendent work of art, a painting that will unexpectedly be put into eighteen-year-old Louisa’s care. As she struggles to decide what to do with this bequest, she embarks on a surprise-filled cross-country journey to learn the story of how the painting came to be. The closer she gets to the painting’s birthplace, the more she feels compelled to unleash her own artistic spirit, but happy endings don’t always take the form we expect in this fresh testament to the transformative power of friendship and art.
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Reviews
Mr. Backman’s story about childhood friends caused me to shed tears of laughter at times and tears of sadness at other times. Perhaps the emotional roller coaster was partly the result of how this tale was so similar to my childhood, substituting the painter with a musician. But mostly my reactions were the result of a truly magnificent story expertly told by a masterful storyteller.
By Stelewbro
This book is literally a masterpiece. I cant just put it down. Love the wisdom it shares within the storytelling. 10/10 Recommend.
By Crxs05
Very good story, it’s one of those stories you don’t forget. Has a little of everything forming friendship, loyalty, feeling all the good and bad things together, never judging. Loved it…
By Readingbythesea
Another great story from a great storyteller. I can’t wait for your next one.
By fpp221
As I approach 80 with paintbrushes and drawing pencils in my hands, I can tell you the adventure never ends. Whether you become famous or not there is always a little bit of forever in what you put on paper or canvas. Someone’s life is touched when this gift God gave you becomes theirs. This book opened a new door and showed me why I’m still driven to put my heart on something for others to see, and share in some way. Thank you, Mr. Bachman. I’m grateful for the gift God gave you that you share with such heart.
By Mrsnoah73