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

* AN INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK 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 *
* A BARNES AND NOBLE NATIONAL BOOK CLUB PICK *

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.'

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.

Reviews
'A good read... it might make you cry' Best

'This moving story explores the power of friendship' Woman & Home Bookclub
'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
Praise for Fredrik Backman
'About strength and tribal loyalty and what we unwittingly do when trying to show our boys how to be men. I
utterly believed in the residents of Beartown, and felt ripped apart by the events in the book' Jojo Moyes

'A brilliant and comforting read' Matt Haig

'Funny, compassionate and wise. An absolute joy' A. J. Pearce

'A stunning read that plunges you into another world. Backman writes with incredible sensitivity and insight. Every one of the characters is real and multi- faceted, having you breathlessly turning the pages, following their fears and
hopes, fretting for their futures. This is storytelling at its best: emotional, vivid, wise and utterly brilliant' Hazel Prior

'It's the most enchanting, beautiful tale' Ben Fogle

'Funny, sad, clever, insightful, surprising and hopeful. Brilliant in every way' Sarah Morgan

'A surefooted insight into the absurdity, beauty and ache of life' Guardian

'A mature, compassionate novel' Sunday Times

'Warm, funny, and almost unbearably moving' Daily Mail



Book Information
ISBN 9781398516434
Author Fredrik Backman
Format Paperback
Page Count 448
Imprint Simon & Schuster Ltd
Publisher Simon & Schuster Ltd
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 130mm * 26mm