Laughed out loud! Loved this look! Left me wishing it was so much longer! I highly recommend it!!! It was A Man Called Ove meets Anxious people, in all the right ways!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Short synopsis: Lucas is planning a night alone with his pad Thai and some video games when the neighbors demand to look at his frying pan, because someone put their frying pan next to the recycling room instead of the garbage where it belonged.

My thoughts: Full of Backman’s usual humor, this story while just 60 pages was fun and held deeper meaning.

The story kept me engaged throughout, and I really enjoyed watching the resolution (or lack of resolution) as the story went on. I love Backmans writing style, his way of incorporating important topics in a fun story is so unique.

Read if you love:
- Pad Thai with Peanuts
- Recycling
- Nosy neighbors
- Deeper meaning
- Wit and charm

I will read anything this man writes. I’ve read some of his previous books and loved them and this one was no different. I loved the characters and just got lost in this book. It was way too short but I enjoyed it anyway. I highly recommend it.

Thank you Amazon Original Stories for a copy of The Answer is No!

Fredrick Backman does what he does best -- heartwarming and silly.

Also, I too would wanna be a hermit if my neighbours are this fucking annoying.

Regarding Fredrick Backman’s writing style, building characters and creating captivating storyline, I can’t say anything bad, but yet I hated this novella. This story is written in the vain of Anxious People, where situational comedy takes the main role as a narrative device, and A Man Called Ove, where the main character plays the role of an old grumpy loner.

Frederick Backman just isn’t for me. In this case I particularly didn’t like the narrator’s voice, which it seems to many people cynically funny, but for me it has the opposite effect. If you like other Backam’s work then you’ll probably like this one as well.

Great story about a reclusive resident in an apartment building who is forced to get out of his shell and interact with others.

“All he did was to remove the one thing that makes almost all people unhappy: other people. Whatever they want, the answer is no.”

This was a fun and ridiculous little novella! Somehow Fredrick Backman was able to pack so much humor while still delving into emotional topics in such a short span of time. I am consistently blown away with Fredrick Backman’s simple yet beautiful writing style and have yet to be disappointed by anything I have read from him. I really enjoyed that he was a bit more experimental and silly with this one- it was unique while still staying true to his typical exploration of human relationships.

I found this short story pretty entertaining! I love the way Fredrik Backman can describe people in a way where I think "I know exactly who this person is, I have met someone like that." He just gets at the humanity and intricacies of relationships and describes the human experience in such a singular way. This is no exception. I loved getting to know Lucas and his neighbors (particularly Linda), and who knew a simple frying pan could be the catalyst for upending one's conscripted life?

This was a short story, and while I love the message that this story was conveying, I don't think the humor hit the mark for me on this one It had its moments but then fell flat in others. I think this falls more towards the individuals who are introverts but at times I did feel relating to the story, especially the lady in the green dress and being a mom, Sometimes you just want to have a moment to yourself without anyone bothering you and you want to feel appreciated. It definitely isn't hilarious as it intended to be. But besides that, I probably wouldn't read it again.

3.5 Stars! Perfect character study. It's probably wrong for me to feel this way but I love any and all permission to indulge the desire to be alone.

A very quick read. Did not really get the point I guess..didn’t bring out any feeling s for me for the characters … I respected the guy for wanting to be alone ..

The Answer is No is a beautiful story by Fredrik Blackman about community. Lucas loves his solitude and hates interacting with others. But when someone leaves a frying pan next to the recycling room instead of throwing it away, his apartment complex turns into a battleground, and no matter how much Lucas fights it, he’s drawn into the middle of the clash. How will he cope? Who left the frying pan out?

I thought this was a beautiful story and a quick read. I loved Lucas and his interactions with his neighbors. Would definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for access to an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

A new short story from Fredrik Backman is always a fun read. This books was fairly lighthearted and very short, so a nice quick book to pick up when you don't have much time.
If you enjoyed "A Man Called Ove" this book was very much in the same vein. Cranky guy wants to be left alone, but gets bothered by his neighbors who eventually bring him out of his shell.
This book was pleasant to read and written in the typical Backman quirky style. (You love him or you don't)
For Backman fans, this is definitely a book to add to your collection.

The book did feel a tad predictable and I admit the story did not have any big surprises.
3 stars for being a solid, though bit bland story.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As always Fredrik Backman does it again. Such a unique style of writing but one that is so easy to relate to and feel like you are in the book with the character. If you are a fan of his, don’t miss pit on this one!

I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of The Answer Is No by Fredrik Backman. This short story is a masterful blend of humor and introspection, showcasing Backman's exceptional storytelling abilities.

The narrative centers on Lucas, a man who cherishes his solitude, finding joy in simple pleasures like video games, wine, and pad thai. His tranquil life takes an unexpected turn when the apartment board confronts him about a misplaced frying pan, leading to a series of comical and thought-provoking events.

Backman's witty prose and sharply drawn characters make this story both entertaining and deeply relatable. He skillfully captures the absurdities of modern life and the challenges of maintaining personal boundaries in a world that often demands conformity.

The Answer Is No is a delightful read that balances humor with poignant observations about human nature. It's a testament to Backman's talent for creating stories that resonate on multiple levels. Highly recommended for those seeking a short yet impactful literary experience.

I am always game for a good book by Fredrick Backman. This was no exception. A short novella about a man who just likes to be by himself. But then the Committee comes, and being by himself become a thing of the past for a few days. But it also shows him that some interaction with people is not always bad. After a mysterious frying pan shows up "outside the garbage bin" it is the Committee that puts Lucas in charge of finding out whose it is, because he has good ideas. But then he meets the Lady in the Purple Dress and the Lady in the Green Shirt. They show him a whole new world and how it works. In the end his ideas do work, and maybe the Lade in the Purple Dress had more of a motive than she initially intended. But it all comes back to being yourself.

I enjoyed this quick little read, reminiscent of Anxious People in some ways. Loved the interaction of strangers and how a simple problem becomes everyone's problem for a couple of days.

Thank you to Netgalley, Amazon Original Stories, and of course Mr. Backman for another read that made me giggle.

Classic Fredrik Backman: deep and introspective without being heavy or didactic. A really quick and short read, great place to start if your just getting into his work. Very much enjoyed, big recommend.

Lucas is wholly-content with life the way it is. He lives in his apartment in just the way he likes. His nighttime routine is red wine, pad thai, and video games, without any disturbance or interruption from other people. In fact, he quite enjoys the lack of people in his life--the less interaction, the better. One day, the simple issue of recycling in Lucas' apartment complex upends his solitude and his routine, all in one sweep. To Lucas, it's all downhill from there: until something unexpected happens.

Whether a full novel or a novella (or in this case, something even shorter) few writers today have the ability to imbue a story with the kind of heartstring-tugging, laugh-out-loud humanity in the way that Fredrik Backman can. These pages are teeming with a familiar simplicity that represents everyday life in its most honest form, and in that form, its impossible not feel every scene (and every word) deeply.

"Lucas doesn't really know how to respond to that. He doesn't think much about death. Not much about life either. He has found that the easiest way to be happy is to think about time in about eight-hour increments, and to always have something to look forward to at the end of those hours: pad Thai, video games, wine. Small great things. But then again, Lucas has never loved a cat, so what does he really know about life?"

A perfect story. Happy reading.

A lovely little story from the amazing Fredrik Backman. The main character, Lucas, is a matter-of-fact, rather introverted apartment dweller. He is happy with the predictability of his solitary life. That all changes hilariously when the apartment board approaches him about— wait for it— a discarded frying pan. This is a madcap “Who’s On First?” sort of adventure with a lot of heart.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This book was hilarious. I found myself laughing out loud on multiple occasions. This is the second book of Backman's that I have read, and I must admit, he is quickly becoming a favourite author. This is a very short read, but full of life, and humour and a little bit of sadness. A must read.