[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
The Answer is No releases December 1, 2024

What does happiness look like to you? Is it better to strive to be happy all of the time, or just maintain a level to where you never quite reach being wholly unhappy?

Honestly, if I had to deal with neighbours and board members who were as annoying as the ones in this story, I would also limit my interactions with human beings, just like Lucas chose to do.
Mental health matters, and there’s nothing wrong with living a more solitary life if you happen to enjoy your own company.

I love an absurd little story and this hit that spot precisely. I was hooked from the first little page. I have a few books on my shelf by this author that I haven’t gotten to yet so I wanted to get the taste for his writing. Now I am eager to dive into them. It was witty, it was clever, it was captivating. I am not usually a short story fan but I enjoyed this one more than most.

The Answer Is No is a short story by best-selling Swedish author, Fredrik Backman which can easily be read in one sitting. Now in his thirties, Lucas knows exactly what makes him happy: relaxing on a comfortable couch, drinking red wine, playing video games and eating pad thai with extra peanuts. It’s what he’s trying to do when there’s a knock on his door.

It’s the board, an authoritarian creature voted in at a meeting of residents, which Lucas sees as “a bureaucratic hydra, a mythical monster in a sweater vest and ergonomic slippers”. It‘s at his door about an old frying pan Illegally left on the ground outside the recycling room. Not his, Lucas assures them. His simple solution is rejected on the grounds that the culprit needs to be identified and held responsible.

“A funny thing about rule-loving people is that to them it seems more important to impose punishment than it is to actually solve problems, and a funny thing about rule-breaking people is that they seem to find breaking rules a lot easier to do if someone else has broken them first.”

Indeed, others do break the rules and the illegal frying pan has gained companions and become a Pile: another frying pan, a rug, a broken TV, four electric candlesticks, a single ice-skate, and something that looks like a black fur hat. Due to his sensible suggestion, Lucas finds himself unwittingly and unwillingly co-opted to be the chair of the Pile Committee.


Before the matter is resolved, Lucas finds himself interacting with the downstairs neighbour who is stealing his wifi, an overworked, underappreciated mother who is “in a coma” in the flat next door (for a rest), groups who believe in angels, groups who deny the existence of angels, groups who want to be ninjas, protestors, police, a council functionary, and an ever-growing pile of junk, all keeping from his comfortable couch, wine, pad thai and video game. Until he comes up with a laterally-thought-out solution…

Backman certainly demonstrates that he has the measure of petty bureaucracy, but he also gives his characters some insightful observations on human behaviour and happiness. He also excels at the descriptive turn of phrase: “as if she were holding a gun loaded with annoyance” is one example. As always, Backman gives the reader plenty to laugh about whilst also tugging at the heart strings. Delightful.

I will read everything and anything Backman writes. Full of hope, humor, and the usual reminder of goodness in humans, this is one I will continue to think about!

This felt like a children's book that was written for adults (complimentary)

Lucas just wants to live his peaceful life alone, but that doorbell will not stop ringing. Highlighting the inanity of people, while showcasing the desire for community, this short story takes a big adventure in very few pages!

Ugh, I loved this! It made me laugh out loud in every chapter. It's witty, sharp, funny, and heartwarming. A feel-good, direct story with a lovely message.

Lucas just wants to be left alone. His happy introverted world is upset when his apartment board appears at his door demanding to see his frying pan. Someone has discarded a frying pan in the recycling room and they are out to find out who did it. One thing leads to another, the frying pan sparks a debris pile and Lucas continues to be accosted by the board and other people.

Backman is one of my favorite authors; he is beloved by many. In true Backman fashion, there is humor, keen observations of human nature, pathos in this delightfully quirky short story. Take a break this holiday season and sit down with this quick read. Anyone who has ever lived in a condo will really appreciate it!

Fredrik Backman strikes again with a short story that's equal parts hilarious and heartfelt. "The Answer Is No" is an absurd yet deeply relatable exploration of modern life's balancing act: craving solitude while being pulled into the chaos of human connection. True to Backman's signature style, this story will test your patience, make you laugh out loud, and ultimately wrap you in warm, fuzzy feelings.

At the heart of the story is Lucas, a guy who just wants to zone out with his video game. But life has other plans, and Lucas can't seem to escape the interruptions. It all begins with a random frying pan on the sidewalk—yep, you read that right—and quickly spirals into a series of increasingly ridiculous encounters. As Lucas' frustrations mount, so does his struggle to find peace in a world that refuses to give him space.

What makes "The Answer Is No" so brilliant is how Backman takes this wildly absurd premise and spins it into a poignant commentary on today's relentless pace of life. The story captures that universal tug-of-war: the need to recharge in solitude versus the undeniable importance of human connection. It's a theme we all struggle with, and Backman tackles it with his trademark humor and heart.

I found myself laughing at Lucas's plight because, let's face it, we've all been there—when the universe just won't leave us alone. But I also felt for him. Backman has a way of making you feel every emotion his characters experience, and Lucas' journey hits close to home. By the end, I was rooting for him and reflecting on my own balance between "me time" and the people who make my life richer.

This story felt personal as if Backman had written it just for me. It's the kind of tale that resonates deeply, especially in today's world, where the pressures of life seem never-ending. If you're a fan of Backman's work, you'll adore this short story. And if you're new to his writing, this is a perfect introduction to his unique blend of wit and warmth.

I'm already pushing "The Answer Is No" on everyone I know because it's exactly what we all need right now—a laugh, a moment to reflect, and maybe even a little hope.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the advanced reader's copy; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This quippy short story was the perfect palate cleanser between meatier reads. The satire was. Perfectly done and had me laughing out loud throughout. Despite being so brief, Backman managed to forge a connection to the main character. Really enjoyed this one!

Hilariously witty and tear-jerkingly poignant. Backman has once again proven that his contemporary fiction is timeless and universal. Full of beautiful sentences, laugh out loud lines, and quickly lovable characters, The Answer is No is a brilliant short story and heartwarming read.

This short story is a delightful mix of humor, heart, and relatability. The male protagonist's love for isolation and simplicity is refreshingly honest, but it's his gradual embrace of community (on his own terms) that truly shines. The story is laugh-out-loud funny—I lost count of how many times I actually cracked up—and balances its comedic moments with heartfelt lessons about connection. If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh or warm your heart, this is it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of "The Answer is No" by Fredrik Backman. All opinions are my own.

I received a copy of this from Amazon First Reads. This was a fun quick novella. This author has a great style.

I have never read a work of this author previous to "The Answer is No" and if the rest of his bibliography is anything like this short story, that's a fact that needs to be remedied immediately. This short story is hilariously right in so many of its jabs against human nature that I could have highlighted half the pages during my read. It was so on point for most of it, I laughed, chuckled, felt myself be amused by, envious of and inspired by the protagonist, Lucas.
There's not much I can say without spoiling the entirety of it, but if you do enjoy finding the absurd in human behavior, if you don't mind this being exaggerated to the extremes - this might be a quick read for you.
I enjoyed it tremendously and I for sure have already people in mind, I'd like to recommend this as their next read. Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Fredrik Backman has inevitably moved from an auto-buy author, to an auto-5 star author, and one of my absolute favourites. He writes the best characters and has my favourite narration, and The Answer is No is no exception.

Lucas had a carefully curated life that limits his interaction with other humans as much as possible. That is until the board of his apartment building pays him a visit on their mission to solve the mystery of a stray frying pan. Lucas, who is quite put out by this interruption to the natural order of things, puts his foot in it and suddenly never knows peace again. These new challenges bring him closer than he’s even been to the people who live right down the hall.

I love every single character in this book! Lucas is a classic antisocial nihilist (I see you), and the trio from the board were hilarious. Backman has such a natural way of writing back and forth banter and he always puts a smile on my face. The characters are humanised by small details that makes them relatable and I love the unpredictability of his stories.

The secret ingredient of this book is equal parts humour and heart; Lucas’ growth and development in such a short story is perfectly done and will leave you content when you turn the final page.

Sadly disappointed in this short story by one of my favorite authors.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Fredrik Backman’s The Answer is No is a delightful departure from the heartfelt, reflective tone he’s known for, delivering instead a laugh-out-loud comedic gem. This short story is packed with humour, wit, and Backman’s signature knack for capturing human quirks.

The plot is simple yet hilariously relatable, centred on the escalating absurdities of one person’s determination to stand their ground. Backman’s ability to exaggerate everyday situations while keeping them grounded in recognizable emotions is on full display.

Despite its brevity, the story brims with charm and cleverly constructed characters. Backman’s sharp humour and impeccable timing make this a memorable reading experience. While it’s an exception to his usual poignant style, it’s proof that his range as a storyteller is as versatile as it is engaging.

For anyone seeking a quick, uplifting read—or simply something to make them laugh out loud—The Answer is No is a must-read. It’s a small slice of joy that will leave you smiling long after the last line.