- By Uma Sridharan

“My Friends” by Fredrick Back man is a tender, reflective novel about how friendship, love, and shared memories shape who we become long after childhood ends. Through a group of friends bound by loyalty, quiet sacrifices, and unspoken pain, Backman explores how people carry both joy and grief together—and how the people who truly know us often save us without realizing it. The story moves between past and present, revealing how small moments, kindnesses, and forgiveness can leave lifelong imprints, and how growing up doesn’t mean letting go of the friendships that once made us feel seen.

Key Lessons:
True friends see you clearly—even when you can’t see yourself.
Love is often shown through small, consistent acts rather than grand gestures.
People carry invisible struggles; compassion matters more than judgment.
Childhood friendships leave permanent marks on our hearts.
Healing comes from connection, honesty, and forgiveness.
Best Quotes:
“The people who love us don’t save us from pain—they sit with us in it.”
“Friendship isn’t about perfection; it’s about staying.”
“Some memories hurt, but they are still proof that love existed.”
“Growing up doesn’t mean forgetting who made you feel less alone.”

The other interesting dimension is it moves swiftly between parenthood, childhood and hiw what we do and don’t do shapes who we are and who the children become

And my personal favorite is ““It’s art that helps me cope. Because art is fragile magic, just like love, and that’s humanity’s only defense against death. That we create and paint and dance and fall in love, that’s our rebellion against eternity.”

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