My Friends: Over a quarter of a million copies sold! 'Simply wonderful' (Chris Whitaker)
Jun 2025 · Simon and Schuster
star
61 reviews
Ebook
400
Pages
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About this ebook
The beautiful new novel that will make you laugh and cry, from the global bestselling author of Anxious People and A Man Called Ove.
‘A stunning, sweeping, extraordinary story of connection, love, and the unbreakable bonds that guide and shape us. Full of humour and heart, My Friends is simply wonderful’ Chris Whitaker
* OVER A QUARTER OF A MILLION COPIES SOLD *
* AN INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER *
* WINNER OF GOODREADS CHOICE AWARD FOR BEST FICTION 2025 *
* SHORTLISTED FOR AMAZON'S BEST FICTION BOOK OF 2025 *
* AN AUDIBLE BEST LISTEN OF 2025 *
You have to take life for granted, the artist thinks, the whole thing: sunrises and slow Sunday mornings and water balloons and another person’s breath against your neck. That’s the only courageous thing a person can do.
In the corner of a world-famous painting, three tiny figures sit on the end of a pier, a secret hidden in plain sight.
Twenty-five years ago, a group of teenagers found solace in each other during one unforgettable summer. Their friendship inspired a transcendent work of art, a painting that now mysteriously belongs to eighteen-year-old aspiring artist Louisa.
Driven to learn the story behind its creation, Louisa embarks on a journey to the seaside town where it all began. But as she gets closer to the painting’s birthplace, Louisa learns that happy endings do not always take the form we expect.
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 years later.
Readers can't get enough of My Friends . . . (***** five star reviews)
'It was perfect. I have no other words to describe this masterpiece. Like, what the hell was I doing all these years??'
'I haven’t read a friendship story this genuine, heartfelt, clumsy, straightforward, smart, sentimental, shocking, and emotionally resonant in a very long time.'
'Is it too early in the year to pick my favourite read of 2025? I think not, as this will be hard to beat.'
'Backman remains my absolute favorite.'
'Absolutely brilliant and beautiful ... I loved, loved, loved this book.'
‘A stunning, sweeping, extraordinary story of connection, love, and the unbreakable bonds that guide and shape us. Full of humour and heart, My Friends is simply wonderful’ Chris Whitaker
* OVER A QUARTER OF A MILLION COPIES SOLD *
* AN INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER *
* WINNER OF GOODREADS CHOICE AWARD FOR BEST FICTION 2025 *
* SHORTLISTED FOR AMAZON'S BEST FICTION BOOK OF 2025 *
* AN AUDIBLE BEST LISTEN OF 2025 *
You have to take life for granted, the artist thinks, the whole thing: sunrises and slow Sunday mornings and water balloons and another person’s breath against your neck. That’s the only courageous thing a person can do.
In the corner of a world-famous painting, three tiny figures sit on the end of a pier, a secret hidden in plain sight.
Twenty-five years ago, a group of teenagers found solace in each other during one unforgettable summer. Their friendship inspired a transcendent work of art, a painting that now mysteriously belongs to eighteen-year-old aspiring artist Louisa.
Driven to learn the story behind its creation, Louisa embarks on a journey to the seaside town where it all began. But as she gets closer to the painting’s birthplace, Louisa learns that happy endings do not always take the form we expect.
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 years later.
Readers can't get enough of My Friends . . . (***** five star reviews)
'It was perfect. I have no other words to describe this masterpiece. Like, what the hell was I doing all these years??'
'I haven’t read a friendship story this genuine, heartfelt, clumsy, straightforward, smart, sentimental, shocking, and emotionally resonant in a very long time.'
'Is it too early in the year to pick my favourite read of 2025? I think not, as this will be hard to beat.'
'Backman remains my absolute favorite.'
'Absolutely brilliant and beautiful ... I loved, loved, loved this book.'
The beautiful new novel that will make you laugh and cry, from the global bestselling author of Anxious People and A Man Called Ove.
‘A stunning, sweeping, extraordinary story of connection, love, and the unbreakable bonds that guide and shape us. Full of humour and heart, My Friends is simply w...
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Ratings and reviews
61 reviews
Maretha Krige
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August 16, 2025
One of my absolute fabourite writers! I have a notebook and pen at hand always to write down quotes (pearls of wisdom) from his touching stories.
Elaine Walls
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January 27, 2026
I absolutely adored this book. Original, inventive story that I lost myself in. The characters are all so compelling. Oh just go and read it!
Monkster Chopster
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April 26, 2026
3.5 stars. Readable but I found it depressing. Sometimes found the characters hard to separate. Felt like I ought to have enjoyed it more.
About the author
Fredrik Backman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, Britt-Marie Was Here, Beartown, Us Against You, Anxious People, The Winners, and My Friends, as well as two novellas and one work of nonfiction. His books are published in more than forty countries. He lives in Stockholm, Sweden, with his wife and two children. Connect with him on Facebook and X @BackmanLand and on Instagram @Backmansk.
Fredrik Backman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, Britt-Marie Was Here, Beartown, Us Against You, Anxious People, The Winners, and My Friends, as well as two novellas and one work of nonfiction. His books are publishe...
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