I have read several books by Fredrik Backman, some I have loved, and some, like this one, I haven't. I just didn't get this one. If it had not been a short story, I don't think I would have finished it.

I'm a massive fan of anything this author writes! This book took me on a roller coaster and was very provocating, which I appreciated, not to mention it was a quick read. 10/10 for me!!!!

Backman brings his witty humour, with relatable characters and scenarios in this short story.

Lucas just wants to be left alone, left to his own devices with his routines and favourite things - he is happy being by himself. But, he soon finds himself entangled in the search for the culprit who left a fry pan next to the shared housing recycling room - which leads to further chaotic and ridiculous event.

This had me laughing out loud and completely understanding and relating to how Lucas wanted his life to be. All of the side character easily reminded me of people I have know throughout my life and it was just a good time.

Thank-you @netgalley @amazonpublishing and Fredrick for this Digital Advanced Readers Copy, in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Original Stories, and the author for the chance to read this book.

This is a very short story that is absurd and hilarious! I didn't really know what to expect but had seen positive comments from others and really enjoyed it.
If you're in need of a laugh and have time for a quick read (under 100 pages), then give this a go - I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Fredrik Backman does a great job in writing this, it had that humor that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of this story. It was translated well and was glad I got to read this. It worked well overall and was invested in the characters and their story.

I love everything Fredrik Backman writes, and this was no different. A gorgeous little story, with characters I could have followed for an entire full length novel.

Delightfully quirky story of a happy man whose solitary existence implodes with "angelic" consequences. If you've ever read any Backman, you know that nothing is what is seems...or maybe it is EXACTLY what is seems. Sure to leave you with an ironic smile on your face.

A quick short story about Lucas who lives a happily solitary life, not bothered by other people. But when a frying pan is left in the street outside the apartment building, the apartment board members intrude on his life in order to help solve the problem, leading to him getting drawn into all kinds of incidents with other neighbors and people and so on. This was about what you would expect, Lucas finding friendship and blah blah, but quite honestly his solitary life sounded like the way to go for me. This felt like more being forcibly charmed ("your heart will be warmed whether you like it or not!") than some of Backman's other writing that felt more naturally and effortlessly delightful, but it was short so I guess all the character development had to be jammed in pretty quickly. 3 stars.

“. . .but sometimes what people really need most of all is a prescription for a break.”

I'm not really sure what to think of this book, and I can see how others would enjoy this short story more than me. I didn't find the humour that funny, but the overall message did kind of bring a smile to my face.
From this short story I'm taking that, In order to live a happy life you have to learn to say NO. Although it didn't quite all work for Lucas, it also ended on a good note.

Thank you to both NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Fredrik Backman’s "The Answer Is No" is a funny short story about Lucas, a cranky introvert who just wants to play video games and eat pad thai. But when a frying pan shows up in a weird place, his quiet life gets turned upside down with the antics of his quirky neighbors.

I loved how lucas describes people by their clothing colors! He stays true to himself instead of trying to fit in, which is both super relatable and refreshing.

I did, however, wish we got to know more about characters like Linda, the overly cheerful board member, but the story was still hilarious. I think it’s a great reminder that it’s okay to be yourself, even if you prefer to avoid socializing!(so real btw) If you’re looking for a quick, fun read, this story is perfect!

This is a short story by one of my favorite authors.
I would definitely classify this as satire. It had a message, in a funny "make-fun of society" type of way.
If you go into this expecting this, it was really enjoyable.
If you go in expecting Backman's typical story telling- you will likely be dissappointed.
Once I figured out what I was in for, I really enjoyed reading about the characters in this apartment complex, and all of their committees and rules.
I laughed out loud, but also could see the points that Backman was trying to make.

Not my favorite, but for a short story it was good.
3.5 stars from me,

I’m not a big fan of short stories. I have had a lot of bad luck with them lately. I will read anything Fredrik Backman writes, even his grocery list.

This will be a short and sweet review. It’s less than 70 pages, so there’s not too much I can say without spoilers. In true Backman fashion, this is heartwarming, funny, and meaningful. I always wonder how it will come together, and every time it makes so much sense. If you are a fan of his writing, then you will enjoy this. If not, you will still enjoy it! I cannot wait to read his next story!!


Thanks to Amazon Original Stories and Netgalley for an e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Thank you to NetGalley for the e book copy This was short book but it was packed full! I love this author- they have a quirky way of writing and I find that I am drawn to the books. The overall concept of the book is to learn to say no. It starts with a frying pan is how this story starts out. The main character Lucas lives a simple life video games- pad thai- wine. He just wants to be left alone but he gets roped into being in charge of an assignment.

Love Fredrick’s books. This was a quick short story that definitely had a few great quotes. Overall not my favorite from him but an easy read that made me smile.

I really loved this one. I think this would be a really great book club pick! It leaves a lot of room for conversation and deeper discussion. I will be buying!

Good short story, nice message. Not my favourite of his work. Many thanks for the ARCs in exchange for my review

As far as a short story goes, what more could a reader ask for.

Backman has created a fabulous character with Lucas. All Lucas wants is to be left alone to do his own thing. No one will allow Lucas to do that. I love comedy that takes familiar things and then goes to extremes. The scenario is relatable, while at the same time ridiculous. I laughed and could not help myself but to share.

The story could have been so much shorter and nowhere near as good if people had just been sensible, but what fun would that be and when was the last time you came into contact with reasonable people?

There is something about Backman’s creativity in this story that is irresistible.

*5 Stars

I adore Backman ALWAYS and this short story was no exception.

I didn't realize how much I missed his humour until I started reading it again.
One thing that I missed in this was the deep connection I usually make with his characters, which is just difficult to do in a short story. I needed more! But 10/10 writing as always,

This short story is told in Bakcman's familiar humorous yet poignant style. I found myself relating to Lucas and his feelings when things started escalating, starting with a single frying pan. If only it had been longer.

Published by ‎ Amazon Original Stories on December 1, 2024

Love is not for the selfish. Fortunately for Lucas, he is happy to be selfish and doesn’t care about being unloved. Lucas believes that “responsibility” and “commitment” are “two of the easiest ways of ruining any perfectly good day.” Lucas prefers to be free to do what he wants when he wants without considering the competing desires of other people. He also understands the danger of starting conversations. “If you ask people what they think, they start thinking, and that’s how wars start.”

Narrating “The Answer Is No,” Lucas tells the reader that there is something perfect about not having to share a pint of ice cream. He recommends “being really content with your life and not immediately thinking: Wow, now everything is really perfect, maybe we should have a baby?” Because a baby introduces another person in your life, and other people are the source of all unhappiness.

It's not that Lucas dislikes other people. He just has no need to interact with them. He appreciates the people who cook his pad thai and those who deliver it to his door, but he is happier if he doesn’t need to speak with them. To those who maintain that humans are herd animals who need to be together, he counters that “humans have historically proved to be in-need-of-therapy animals,” the need for therapy being triggered by keeping company with other humans.

Lucas likes to be left alone so he can drink wine and play video games. He feels sorry for people who want something to happen in their lives. Lucas “lives in an apartment, which he would consider the perfect form of storage for people, were it not for the great virus of civilization: neighbors.” His default response when a neighbor wants something is to tell them no.

Some of Lucas’ neighbors want him to help solve the mystery of a frying pan that a tenant discarded outside — almost on the sidewalk! — and Lucas has just managed to talk them into going away when his downstairs neighbor appears. She’s upset that he changed his internet password and is affronted when he accuses her of stealing his internet. It isn’t stealing, after all, if she only takes the little bit of the internet that leaks into her apartment.

Craziness ensues, primarily in the form of a large and ever-growing junk pile that originated with the frying pan, a committee of three crazy residents who place Lucas in charge of the pile, and a group of men who worship Lucas because they are convinced he is an angel. Eccentric people are Fredrik Backman’s bread and butter, the kind of people who make random comments like “I usually keep my peanuts next to a jar of peanut butter, so they understand what I’m capable of!” Other characters, like a woman who is hiding from an abusive husband by pretending to be in a coma, are more poignant. Backman also pokes fun at official and unofficial bureaucrats, protestors, middle managers, Facebook groups, and self-help advice.

Lucas might not be a reader’s ideal neighbor, but he sometimes expresses wise thoughts, including his recognition that some people are more interested in blaming and punishing people for the problems they cause (like a discarded frying pan) than in solving the problems (by, for example, picking up the frying pan). When the lone frying pan turns into a pile of trash (it’s easier to break the rules when someone else has paved the way), everyone in the neighborhood tries to guess at the culprits’ identities, “which somehow always seem to be people who don’t look like the people who are doing the guessing.”

Naturally, Lucas will feel himself making connections as the story progresses. He might despise himself for behaving socially, he might feel feverish as he comes down with a case of empathy, but working together with neighbors helps him solve some problems (although yes, other people are always the problem). But that doesn’t mean that Lucas needs to change his entire philosophy of life. His final plan to avoid responsibility and commitment is fitting and funny.

This is a short story, but sufficiently long — and sufficiently entertaining — that readers in need of a laugh might not feel bad about paying a couple of bucks to enjoy it.

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