Just as the title, My Friends, implies Fredrik Backman’s novel is about friendships both those in the past and an emerging one.
Louisa has grown up in foster homes and just turned 18. Her best friend, Fish, has recently died leaving her completely on her own.
Through a random, and hard to believe, encounter with a famous Artist in the back alley of an art gallery, they graffiti a wall together. She learns he’s the artist she’s long admired; he sees she’s a talented artist. Before he dies shortly thereafter, he instructs his friend, Ted, to find Louisa to give her the painting that first brought him worldwide attention. It’s one she’s been obsessed with most of her life.
That chance meeting changes her life and thus begins a journey to learn more about the artist and herself. Despite’s Ted’s reluctance and discomfort to have Louisa as his companion, they embark on an adventure that occurs simultaneously as he shares the story of how he, the Artist and two other friends spent the summer they turned 15.
Backman, through Ted, details how the painting came to be, illustrates the close bonds the friends shared and describes their unprivileged backgrounds. Louisa easily relates to having never had much and still carries memories of Fish close to her heart.
Backman injects humor in this often poignant, predictable work. It’s about the strength of friendship, perseverance and the ability to survive through unlikely circumstances.
This is a story about friendship, perseverance and survival.
My Friends
Four Bookmarks
Astoria Books, 2025
436 pages, includes acknowledgements
Four bookmarks
The Blue Page Special 