My friends by Fredrik Backman

As a child of the foster system, Louisa, about to turn 18, has had a difficult life. She is grieving the death of her best friend, Fish, also a member of the foster system. Louisa’s most treasured possession has been a postcard featuring an image of the sea and a group of people whose identities and stories she has always pondered. When she visits an art exhibition, carrying spray cans in her backpack, one can only begin to imagine a potentially disastrous outcome. Escaping the clutches of a security guard, she meets a man who doesn’t give her up, but instead helps her evade capture. He describes her to his friend as being 'one of us'.

After being gifted with the painting that has been an integral part of her life, Louisa reluctantly embarks on a journey with Ted to discover the origins of the art work. While travelling across the country together, the origins of the painting, its subjects and artist are gradually revealed, the knowledge of their difficult backgrounds assisting Louisa to make connections with each of them. The trips she takes, both physically and emotionally, lead to her development and change as a human, providing her with a future that is not what she’d anticipated.

Just occasionally, there are books that I continue to ration as I read, never completing more than a few chapters in a single sitting. Backman has 'drawn' (pun intended, given the context of the story) the characters so beautifully, I wanted to spend as long as possible with each of them before reaching the last page. This title made me laugh and cry in equal measures, and had me wishing I could keep certain phrases or pieces of wisdom with me forever.

In my search for information about the author, I came across a video of Backman talking about creative anxiety and procrastination. His warmth and self-deprecating sense of humour had me in hysterics. I would highly recommend this book to anyone from teenagers on.

Themes: Coming of age, Art, Friendship, Hope, Change, Domestic Violence.

Jo Schenkel