My Friends: A Novel

Written by Fredrik Backman

Narrated by Marin Ireland

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

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

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Anxious People 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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: May 6, 2025
• ISBN: 9781668131602

Fredrik Backman

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.

Reviews for My Friends

[ariahi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The narrator made this book come alive. The story is poignant and heartbreaking and about love all wrapped up like a Christmas present with the most beautiful wrapping and bow! I don’t believe I would have enjoyed this book reading it as much as I did listening to it. I wonder if I had read it would I have not been able to put it down as I couldn’t stop listening to it. I didn’t want it to end but the ending was so beautiful and thought provoking that it all made sense.

[atomic1964 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A great ride of a book, fantastic story of friendship, art and how people survive.

[Yutaka Meyers · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best books I’ve listened to. VERY well done too.

[tommy9947 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I have struggled to pay attention to this book, and it has seemed a bit confusing as far as the character's personal account of things and the timeline. I have needed to listen to a lot of it more than once because it just didn't hold my attention. I wish I would have went with Audible because I wouldn't have to keep this title.

[Brenda Hall · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the most beautifully written book, I have read in a long time. I didn’t want the journey to end!!!!

[Andra · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Pentru mine, a fost cea mai bună carte pe care am citit-o anul acesta. Am râs și am plâns și m-am bucurat de o experiență unică: o carte bună. O recomand din tot sufletul ❤️

[Valerie Rousset LeBeau · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An other amazing Fredrik Backman book. Highly recommend. Such a great writer.

[kellygracejackson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I laughed, I cried what a terrific book about the profundity of art and tenacity of teenage friendships.

[Andrea Comfort · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Do not recommend!! The first 15% is good and then the story just felt like it tried too hard and was very drawn out.

[Ana-Maria Becheanu · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oh dear God, I can’t remember the time a book has made me feel so much at once ? I laughed, I cried, I’ve found myself in the characters and I wanted to be their friend too♥️ by far one of the best books I’ve read!

[Ann G Miller-Sobel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Backman is a masterful story teller. His characterization draws the reader into the intricacies of their lives Ina way that makes it tough to leave them behind. As the story reached its final,pages I wasn’t ready to say good bye, what an excellent story.

[Debbie Singer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely fabulous novel. Incredible characters. Like nothing I have ever read. Read it!!

[marylenox52 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Different than anything Ive ever read but soooo good. I fell in love with the characters. They were all wonderful. I didn’t want it to end. I actually listened to it twice, back to back. I laughed out loud and I cried. I so enjoyed it that now I’m going to find another book by this author. Read it you won’t be disappointed.

[Sharon Bonneau · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Why did this book just stop at chapter 15??? I’d like to finish the book before I write a review!

[nursejinae · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such an incredible story I’ve unlikely friendships and beautiful love and unexpected ways. This is a story of finding your people and holding onto them tight. The narration was incredible as well. I will recommend this book until the cows. Come home!

[Cheryl A. Mitchell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Appreciated the broader more profound view of Art. It made you feel every emotion that the character conveyed. That fun sensical but darkish approach to being different and realizing you’re not alone makes a connection with many.
Thank you Jimmy Fallon! Thoroughly enjoyed this read!

[Raluca Copil · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Gorgeous, Gorgeous book....I knew it was going to break my heart a little bit, but Backman's heartbreaks are worth the pain. A MUST read!! Simply wonderful!

[Marjorie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It’s memorable. It’s funny, it’s sad, it’s incomparable. A book that surpasses imagination. Extremely clever! I was going to quit initially…too sad, too strange but it captures the reader until you’re reluctant to finish. You want to continue on with these quirky characters. Hard to let go!

[Jill Ann · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

No one can weave words like magic like Backman- words so beautiful that you don’t just read them, you feel them in the depths of your soul. His stories and characters captivate and come alive in a way that makes you feel like they are old friends. It makes them relatable and inspiring. Only in one of his stories can you cry one moment and laugh out loud the next! This story had so many complex stories and emotions beautifully woven together through the characters’ journeys in the past, present and future. A wonderful story on its own, but reminded me of Steven King’s “Stand By Me” meets “Dead Poet Society”. Inspiring for all, but a must read for any artist who understands that creating is not what you do, it’s who you are. A story you will never forget and not to be missed!

[Laurie Copeland · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I listen through Everand. Marin Ireland was the perfect voice actor for this book. Oh what a way with words the talented Fredrik Backman has, he is brilliantly able to come up with just the perfect words to capture and convey the magic happening among the his people, the characters. I loved this book so much I listened to the entire book and when I finished I listened to the entire book again. Teenagers to retirees will love this book, as will lovers of art (or artists) and those who had closest most memorable friendships of their lives as teenagers and also those who have been blessed to have had long friendships that were unlikely or unexpected.