MY FRIENDS - Fredrik Backman
I'm not sure if there's any author out there writing today that is better at capturing what it means to be human, than Fredrik Backman. I think I've said the same thing about Anne Tyler, but Backman captures humanity - both what makes us good and what makes us evil - and lays us bare in front of ourselves. We'll usually get a smile along the way.
This story centers around four friends, teenagers twenty-five years ago, and a current teen who becomes becomes part of their group incidentally.
The group of four, unlikely friends include Joar, sharp-humored and fiercely protective; Ali, quick-witted, street smart, and wary of violent men; Ted, introverted, caring, and probably considered boring by most; KimKim, a natural artist uncertain of his own abilities and battling depression. The artists' three friends work to get KimKim's painting into a competition - winning would get him noticed, and perhaps some confidence.
Some twenty years later, KimKim bumps into the awkward girl, Louisa - an artist herself, raised in foster care, who is frustrated with the 'highbrow' approach to KimKim's painting, On The Sea. She knows it's not about "the sea" but probably about the three figures in the painting that most people don't even see. She doesn't think anyone understands it, they just want to own it for status.
KimKim recognizes her spirit as the same as his and his friends' and gets Ted in on a plan - KimKim wills the painting to her and Ted gets to deliver the news (and the painting). Louisa doesn't want to own it, and doesn't want the money she could get from selling it. But the bulk of the story is her journey, learning about KimKim, Ted, and their friends and how she becomes one of them despite the age difference.
Oh my. This is just so beautiful. Love, loss, friendship, family, art, coming of age. It happens differently for all of us, but with shared stories we can recognize what we have in common.
Every book Backman has produced (that I've read) has shown us these same things about people. Like this book, we see that people aren't perfect, but they are capable of great things, even to strangers. I thought A Man Called Ove was a perfect book, but Backman has stepped up and given us one even better.
Looking for a good book? This is not only a good book, it is probably the best book you'll read all year. You must put My Friends by Fredrik Backman on your reading list.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
5 stars
* * * * * *
My Friends
author: Fredrik Backman
publisher: Atria Books
ISBN: 9781982112820
hardcover, 448 pages
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