Fredrik Backman is a pretty well-known author here in Sweden. So, of course, I've never read anything by him. That was until I read The Answer is No and totally loved it. It's a short story, but it took me forever to finish it. Not the book's fault—crazy week at work, etc. But every time I returned to the story to read a chapter or just a page or two, it made me happy. So, if you get the chance to read it, do it!

This book was suck a fun and quick read, but also very provocative. It's quite mesmerizing the way the author writes 60+ pages about such a otherwise silly theme, but makes it so funny and deep as this book is. The only thing I'm sad about is that this book is only available to buy on Amazon, making it possibly unavailable in libraries, which kind of limits the access to it. That's sad because a short story with this quality should be broadly available!

Link to review will be up soon.

This is classic Backman. It reads like Lemony Snicket with heart for adults! I wish this short story was longer 10/10 recommend!

This was a nice little read and had that signature Fredrik Backman feel. I really want some pad thai (with peanuts) now.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman, and Elizabeth DeNoma the Translator was a hilarious short book from New York Times bestselling author Fredrik Backman, the absurdities of modern life cause one man’s solitary world to spin suddenly, and comically, out of control. This was a book that will make you laugh out loud and it was a joy to read.

A uplifting small book that will make a grey day outside my window a sunny day inside.

I loved it. It made me small but it warmed my heart!

Big thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for my ARC.

This is an entertaining short story by a favorite author, Fredrik Backman.

In The Answer is No, Lucas would just like to be left alone, thank you very much. Lucas lives a quiet life, working from home, having as little interactions with people as possible and he believes this is the secret to happiness.

Lucas makes the critical mistake of answering his door one day though and, as life is wont to do, Lucas soon finds himself thrust into the drama of his apartment building and the other tenants who feel compelled to include him in things. With Backman's trademark wit and some entertaining characters, Lucas - for lack of a better word - grows.

This is a fun, quick read when you don't have time to settle into a longer novel. This time of year, I found it particularly enjoyable to see a story about generally good people trying to figure things out.

Thanks to Amazon and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Fredrik Backman’s short story, The Answer Is No, has his quirky flair while commenting on society and the pressures of motherhood wrapped up in a story about a discarded frying pan. Lucas is a loner living in an apartment when his solitude is interrupted by the building “board,” a woman trying to steal his WiFi, and the new lady across the hall. It was a quick, cute read with a heavy undercurrent of sentiment. Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the ARC!

This is the quirky short story I didn’t know I needed in my life. Funny and thought provoking. Full of relatable quotes and characters who remind you of the people in your own life. I think I need to go and find some more Fredrik Backman books to read!

This short story was brilliant. I loved the humour and silliness of it. Some people might prefer the more dramatic stories, and I like them too. This one was right up my alley though, and I can't wait to recommend it to everybody once it comes out officially.

I always say that Fredrick Backman just “gets” people, and this book is no exception. His take on how people complicate their lives in the pursuit of happiness is very clever, funny and unfortunately, scarily true! Lucas had worked out how to be happy and content with his life - maintaining this is why he must say no…either that, or be put in a coma for a while!

I can never say no to a Fredrik Backman book. He has a keen understanding of human nature and has a distinctive voice I love.

This book has all the humour and heart of "Anxious People" and is perfect for the holidays. I admit in the middle, I was getting bored of what was happening as the story seemed to be repetitive but just when I was wondering where this was going, the book hooked me again.

Thanks to Netgalley & Amazon for the e-copy.

Fredrik Backman is possibly the greatest living author we are blessed with today. "The Answer is No" is clever, touching, and hilarious. I loved it as I have loved everything else he's written. Read it. Everything Backman writes is worth your time.

"He’s just happy. It wasn’t even particularly difficult. All he did was to remove the one thing that makes almost all people unhappy: other people. Whatever they want, the answer is no."

Can you believe a freaking frying pan can destroy peace and quiet Lucas had been cultivating all these years? I mean these people could pick it up and put it into trash and leave a note for whole apartment to see. But no, because they have nothing else to do, they would disturb Lucas' peace.

Backman can write the notes in Baci chocolates and I would eve read that. Or those weird notes in public toilets. So when this short story came up, I did not walk, I ran. I love the quirky characters he creates and man, it is true that all of our problems stem from other people. Life would be easy when there is no one to mess with us.

This is a ridiculous, laugh out loud short story with annoying, heartbreaking and uplifting characters. Yep, it has it all in just 68 pages!

Truly a gem that all adults should read. It was wonderful to read during my lunchtime. I think I will be remembering it all afternoon, smiling, and wanting to eat Chinese food tonight.

I want to thank Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for giving me the immense pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

OMG! I love this book so much! It really captures human nature. And the introvert in me is in absolute dithers over how relatable this book is.

Lovely and upbeat. I was nodding and laughing throughout. If you want a quick but hearty burst of joy, read this book!

This story follows Lucas who is not a people person. He prefers to stay in his apartment working from home, ordering takeout, and playing video games. These things make him happy. Adding people to the equation just makes things complicated and messy. Then someone leaves a frying pan on the ground outside the apartment building and Lucas is drawn into the subsequent chaos.

I always enjoy the humor in Backman’s books. The inherent frustration with bureaucracy and making something with a simple solution so complicated it boggles the mind of most of us. It’s just such a relatable topic. I laughed through all the ridiculous scenarios this frying pan caused just by simply existing. The characters were fun and adorable whether outrageous or practical.

If you haven’t read Backman before this is a good short to check out his humor and character development and if you have, it’s an enjoyable read that can make you laugh through your personal stress this time of year. Recommended.

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for a copy provided for an honest review.

I'm a massive fan of Fredrik Backman, whether it be the stunning Beartown trilogy or the more whimsical books like 'Anxious People', so a special short story that popped up was a joyful surprise. This is very much in the 'Anxious People' vein of his writing, as loner Lucas' quiet life is shattered by a ring of his doorbell. As events spiral out of control, and the world that Lucas has carefully avoided crashes into his calm existence, Backman conjures the perfect hilarious story that will have the reader siding with Lucas every step of the way. A joy to read.

(With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this title.)

I’ve never read a book quite like this one.
I absolutely LOVED it! 🥹
It was funny, heartwarming and totally relatable.
The last couple chapters really brought the story to a good close and pulled on my heartstrings.
This story is full of meaning and I think everyone needs to read this.
I felt like I was watching a Wes Anderson film. Amazing!!!

This was my first read by Fredrik Backman and it was great. I can not wait to dive into more of this author’s work. I think he is one of my new favorite authors! 🥳

Thanks to NetGalley for my ARC

A silly and weird little story. I also thought it was a bit random and confusing.

This was an absolute delight—charming, funny, and unexpectedly touching!

The story follows Lucas, a man who’s living the dream (if your dream is avoiding everyone). His idea of perfection? A quiet night with wine, pad thai, and video games. But when the apartment board knocks on his door about a rogue frying pan, his carefully crafted solitude spirals into chaos.

The humour is spot-on, starting with dry, observational wit and escalating into pure absurdity as Lucas faces increasingly ridiculous situations. Backman’s portrayal of awkward interactions and the quirks of communal living is so relatable it’s almost uncomfortable.

This is a quick read, but it packs a punch. If you’re after a story that’ll make you laugh, reflect, and maybe even want to call your neighbours (or hide from them), this one’s for you!