My Friends: Over a quarter of a million copies sold! 'Simply wonderful' (Chris Whitaker)

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 ‘Warm, kooky, emotional, reflective, introspective, traumatic, cathartic, lovely. Epic book. Deeply human writer. The kind of book that can be a friend itself’ Matt Haig

* 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.'

© 2025 Simon & Schuster Audio UK (Audiobook): 9781398516427

Release date

Audiobook: 19 June 2025