My Friends: A Novel

Beautiful and Touching Story
Very good. Great writing. Great Story. Deep. Humorous. Touching. Loved the characters. About young kids who have difficult lives and they become close friends. One of them paints a picture that becomes famous. The story brings the reader through a heartfelt journey of the past to the present lives of these characters and a few more interesting characters join them.

Childhood memories & accepting life
‘25 – 4 STARSDESCRIPTION : 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.REVIEW :The Beartown Series by this author was awesome – Beartown (Bk 1 – ‘17 – 5 Stars), Us Againts You (Bk 2 – ‘18 – 5 Stars) and The Winner (Bk #3 – ‘22 – 4 Stars).Other books by this author were all over the charts for me: Anxious People (‘20 – 3 Stars), My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry (‘15 – Read ‘17 – 2 Stars) and A Man Called Ove (‘14 – Read ‘17 – 4 Stars).Decided to try this one since I found it on sale; Sale $1.99; reg 14.99Lots of reviews compare it to Remarkable Bright Creatures, A Man Called Ove and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. The main character Louisa, reminded me of the main character Molly in The Maid by Nina Prose; inspiring, refreshing and sometimes very funny.The first 15% of this book was totally sad; foster homes, death & depression. There might have been a funny joke or statement but it didn’t stop my tears. I’ll try to push on. At 30% the sad parts have not stopped. The only thing that keeps me reading is Louisa’s opinions and statements that make me laugh outloud. At 75% my connection to all the characters kept building and building. I was getting scared for what the ending will be. The ending did feel a little rushed but I did enjoy the ride. At the end, I decided on 4 Stars; touching read of childhood memories, accepting life, adjusting to change and moving forward.

Another Backman “Best”!
I have read absolutely every one of Fredrik Backman’s books. I cannot give you a favorite. He has a way of writing that captivates and is truly amazing. I have to admit, My Friends, took a while to “get going” for me. This is a past and present story where it jumps back and forth. The premise is a “bit” far fetched, however, it is a work of fiction. Eventually, you really start getting into all the characters and story line. Louisa is by far the stand out here, followed by Joar IMO.The “past” part of the book, finds kids that would crumple to nothing due to their individual lives, but as a group of friends, they support each other and manage to drive through all the bitterness of life. Adults let them down left and right, as adults do, but their bond weathers it all. In the “present” , the “past” is told by Ted to Louisa , whose effervescent, and bold personality just blows off the pages. Her likening to Ali, one of the friends from the past, is unmistakable.Five misunderstood, misguided and left behind kids, from two generations, who all manage to claw their way to some version of happiness. This story will sit in my heart like all of Backman’s books do. It has some of the strongest characters he has developed which makes for one GREAT story! Definitely recommend.

Friends
Enjoyed the book and all the characters. It was a slow read for me. I had to reread parts but it made sense later.

I love all Fredrick Backman’s books but I think this was the best. Made me cry, made me laugh, kept me up all night & sneaking off in the day to read. His characters are incredible and the writing pure poetry.

Fredrick Backman has a gift when it comes to writing and telling stories. Every single book he has written is heartwarming, laugh out loud funny and sad. I can’t recommend his books enough.

The most wonderful, enchanting book. 10 stars again for Backman…the very best author. He can make you cry & laugh in every sentence. I adored this book. I never read a book twice but will make an exception