Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

My Friends by Fredrik Backman

117 reviews

notalexneva's review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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It took me a while to actually write a review of this because it honestly overwhelmed me a bit. Backman has a way of making you believe in people, and I really can't remember the last time a book made me cry this much, probably not since reading Anxious People in 2021. I literally got teary eyed reading other people's reviews just now. Don't get me wrong, it's not a sad book, it just moves you and makes you feel just about everything. I fell in love with every single character, they're so complicated and tangible, and really capture the human condition. The plot was lovely, but I would follow these characters through any story, the plot wasn't as important, I kind of just appreciated being along for the ride. This is a story about real pain, people who got so much less than they deserved, and how they dealt with it.

My first five star read of 2025, totally worth the wait, and maybe one of my favorite books I've ever read.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Addiction, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse

lauriesls's review against another edition

4.0

emotional lighthearted slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

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Good story about friendship and the power of art. Started out slow but got better.  Emotional (sad) with bits of laughter thrown in. Good ending.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Physical abuse

bethgreena's review against another edition

5.0

challenging emotional hopeful reflective

Plot or Character Driven: Character

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Injury/Injury detail

ruaruarua's review against another edition

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Violence

Moderate: Bullying, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Death of parent

pathologicalreader's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail

emilysbooksandbakes's review against another edition

4.0

emotional funny hopeful sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

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This one was full of a lot of tears but even more laughs, and I think that’s kind of the point. In its entirety, it’s mostly a story of ordinary people, but the individual moments, the “now’s,” somehow felt entirely extraordinary. The timeline is semi-chaotic. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Abandonment

Moderate: Sexual assault

sbloombe's review against another edition

5.0

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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6 STARS! If I had the physical copy, I would have hugged the book when I finished. I think this may be my favorite Fredrick Backman book ever. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse

Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent

Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Blood

ljab's review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

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It’s hard to review FB books because they’re all so well written, what do you say about it? I laughed a lot in this book, I think this is his funniest book to date of the ones I’ve read. It was dark, but in a way that makes you feel okay in the end. There are so many good lines in this book, I’m sure I’ll be back to read again. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt

littlerthings's review against another edition

3.0

emotional hopeful reflective

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"Art is what we leave of ourselves in other people."

Very mixed feelings about this. Some lines and bits were really beautiful but overall the writing wasn't for me. Too many hyperboles, metaphors and puns in every sentence, it all felt quite over the top for me. 
Also not very politically sensitive (ableist language was very present amongst other things)
I loved the found family trope though!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Terminal illness, Blood, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Alcoholism, Confinement

Minor: Body shaming

jonimnewman's review against another edition

4.75

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Backman’s writing is just so marvelous. His works often live in this world of heightened, even absurd reality while also being so optimistic and empathetic. There is so much heart in this story. It feels somehow more personal to Backman than previous works. The intersections between art and the relationships we have and the fragility of life as a whole are really beautifully explored here. I loved this one. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse