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4.54 AVERAGE
4.54 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
reflective
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:
Yes
Backman rips my heart out again. As always, My Friends is less about the plot and more about the human experience. It’s about teens developing inseparable friendships and creating their own “found family” when their biological families cause pain no child should have to endure. It’s about art & the ability of art to transcend generations and cultures. It’s about grief and loss, but also about the universal hope for a happy ending and the way laughter can bind us together.
While Louisa will rightfully pull most readers’ heartstrings, Ted is the character who lives rent-free in my mind. The very definition of a loyal friend. A role model for men everywhere. And the selflessness of the Artist, mirroring the selflessness his friends showed him 25 years ago…wow.
I laughed, I cried, I felt the full range of human emotions. Perhaps my favorite book of the year, and certainly one that will come to mind any time I reflect on the friendships I am lucky enough to have in my own life.
While Louisa will rightfully pull most readers’ heartstrings, Ted is the character who lives rent-free in my mind. The very definition of a loyal friend. A role model for men everywhere. And the selflessness of the Artist, mirroring the selflessness his friends showed him 25 years ago…wow.
I laughed, I cried, I felt the full range of human emotions. Perhaps my favorite book of the year, and certainly one that will come to mind any time I reflect on the friendships I am lucky enough to have in my own life.
Fredrik, what the fuck happened to this book?!
I seriously cannot explain how utterly, UTTERLY disappointed I am with this! This was hands down one of my most anticipated reads of the year! To such an extent I brought 2 copies! One signed hardback and soft cover edition I had imported from Ireland because I didn’t want to scuff or damage the hardback! What a fucking waste of time and money!
Maybe I placed too much expectation on this thing in which case it’s my fault but this book started off so strongly for me! True to Backmans writing style it is laced with humour and so many boxes were ticked!
Nostalgia, childhood, friendship, trauma, abandonment, art, flatulence (if you know, you know)!
He took all the above, wrapped it up in an easy to digest beautiful little box and then gave the ending to the fucking hallmark channel to ruin! I can’t believe how badly this thing deteriorated into the most cheesiest, eye roll inducing shit! I’m actually angry now this turned out for me! The overuse of poetic metaphors and conversational affirmations felt labored and forced and trust me, kids don’t talk like that to one another it’s absolute nonsense Fredrik!
I adored A man called Ove! I laughed and I cried but this? Frankly 3 stars feels generous and I’ve since slept on this review (not for the better) so I’m knocking it down to a 2
I won’t be bothering with Backman again after this!
💔
I seriously cannot explain how utterly, UTTERLY disappointed I am with this! This was hands down one of my most anticipated reads of the year! To such an extent I brought 2 copies! One signed hardback and soft cover edition I had imported from Ireland because I didn’t want to scuff or damage the hardback! What a fucking waste of time and money!
Maybe I placed too much expectation on this thing in which case it’s my fault but this book started off so strongly for me! True to Backmans writing style it is laced with humour and so many boxes were ticked!
Nostalgia, childhood, friendship, trauma, abandonment, art, flatulence (if you know, you know)!
He took all the above, wrapped it up in an easy to digest beautiful little box and then gave the ending to the fucking hallmark channel to ruin! I can’t believe how badly this thing deteriorated into the most cheesiest, eye roll inducing shit! I’m actually angry now this turned out for me! The overuse of poetic metaphors and conversational affirmations felt labored and forced and trust me, kids don’t talk like that to one another it’s absolute nonsense Fredrik!
I adored A man called Ove! I laughed and I cried but this? Frankly 3 stars feels generous and I’ve since slept on this review (not for the better) so I’m knocking it down to a 2
I won’t be bothering with Backman again after this!
💔
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is one of my favorite authors. His books give me all the feels, the character development is so amazing. However, this book was almost unbearable to read. The way he wrote their prose, dragged portions out. The pace was slow and boring, and while
The characters were developed well, they weren’t endearing or memorable.
The characters were developed well, they weren’t endearing or memorable.
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
inspiring
reflective
emotional
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:
Yes