My Friends by Fredrik Backman

Fredrik Backman, the #1 New York Times bestselling author who gave us the unforgettable Anxious People, returns with a luminous novel about friendship, art, and the invisible threads that connect us across time.

At the heart of this story are three tiny figures—barely noticeable—sitting at the end of a pier in one of the world’s most famous paintings. Most people overlook them entirely. But eighteen-year-old Louisa, an aspiring artist with a curious soul, sees them. She sees the story they’re hiding, and she’s determined to uncover it.

Twenty-five years earlier, in a weathered seaside town, four bruised teenagers found each other on an abandoned pier. Their summer together became a sanctuary—filled with silly jokes, whispered secrets, small rebellions, and the kind of friendship that changes everything. From that summer emerged something extraordinary: a painting that would transcend time itself.

When this remarkable work of art lands unexpectedly in Louisa’s care, she embarks on a cross-country journey to discover its origins. The closer she gets to the truth, the more nervous she becomes about what she’ll find. What she discovers is a testament to how friendship can save us, how art can transform us, and how happy endings don’t always look the way we imagined.

Backman delivers his signature blend of humor and heartbreak, reminding us why he’s become one of contemporary fiction’s most beloved voices. This is a story that will linger long after you turn the final page.

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