Book Review of The Book My Friends by Fredrik Backman

A book review of the book My Friends by Fredrik Backman. A heartfelt friendship novel exploring memory, art, time, and healing through quiet reflections and emotional truth.

My Friends is a warm and thoughtful book about friendship and memory. The story moves between two timelines. In the present, we meet Louisa, a young artist searching for meaning. In the past, four teenagers—Joar, Ted, Ali, and the artist—spend a life-changing summer together by the sea. Their bond leads to a painting that still resonates decades later.

Fredrik Backman writes with gentle humor and deep feeling. He shapes believable, flawed characters. Each friend carries pain, hope, and dreams. When Louisa receives the painting, she begins a journey to uncover its backstory. As she travels with Ted, memories unfold. The narrative flows easily between present and past, weaving emotional moments with quiet observations.

This book shines in its exploration of grief and connection. Louisa struggles with loss and isolation. Backman shows how relationships can heal even the deepest wounds. His words paint childhood summers that feel both magical and bittersweet. Scenes are short, vivid, and often funny. One moment makes you smile; the next catches in your throat. That emotional balance is a key strength in this character-driven fiction.

Some readers may find the pace slow. There are long passages of reflection and memory. Yet this pace allows emotions to settle and deepen. Backman’s tone is comforting, like chatting with a close friend. The novel asks big questions: How do we carry the past? What moments shape who we become? It doesn’t offer easy answers, but it prompts thought.

Translating Backman’s Swedish prose into English, Neil Smith preserves both humor and heart. Lines like “Friendship is like joining a mafia: you can’t leave it” linger in memory. He captures the gentle wit and emotional depth of the story.

My Friends is a beautiful, slow-burning friendship novel. It reminds us that everyday moments matter, that art can bridge time, and that human connection endures. If you love reading about real, vulnerable characters and the quiet power of friendship, this book will stay with you long after you turn the last page.