This is a dry humor and satire kinda book. It's either u ll love it or hate it but to me I relate it to a lot and I really love it . This is my first book of Backman's and i going in for many more of his books. I'm pretty sure as an English lecture you can expect it be a text in your syllabus and students reconstructing it or analysing it

With his signature dry sarcastic humour, Frederik Backman weaves a short story that is essentially about the power of saying NO. That one simple word, that so many of us find so difficult to utter, may just be the key to human happiness! While not as charming and heart-warming as his novels — probably due to its much shorter length — this is still a lovely story that you can easily breeze through in an evening.

This story showcases Backman's quirky, humorous writing style to perfection. Lucas is a single man living in an apartment complex, whose ideal is a solitary peaceful life.
Enter bunch of fellow apartment dwellers who are trying to solve absurd problems in an absurd way, and you have an entertaining read.

Review: "The Answer is No" A Short by Fredrik Backman (Author) @backmansk
Elizabeth DeNoma (Translator)

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💖

"Dear readers, Instead of falling in love, have you tried to not do that ?"It really saves a lot of time.😌

Fredrik Backman has done it again with The Answer is No, a 52-page short story that’s both funny and clever. As a fan of his books A Man Called Ove and Anxious People, I loved this story just as much—it’s pure magic.

The story follows Lucas, an introvert who is happy living a quiet life with his video games, wine, and pad thai (don’t forget the peanuts!). He doesn’t like dealing with people, so when the apartment board knocks on his door about a frying pan left near the recycling room, things quickly get out of hand.

Backman’s witty and relatable writing shines through as Lucas tries to avoid the chaos caused by the board members, or as I like to call them, “the three board animals.” I laughed at their silly behavior and Lucas’s reactions, which felt so real. I could completely see myself in Lucas—except for the video games!

The purple dress lady annoyed me at first, and I wanted to slam the door on her face
. But by the end, I found myself liking her, along with the green shirt lady and even the quirky board members. Lucas, though, remains my favorite—he’s me in book form.

What I loved most about this story is how Backman uses humor to show the strange habits of people today. It’s not just funny; it’s also a smart look at modern life.

If you’re looking for a short, entertaining read that will make you laugh and warm your heart, The Answer is No is a must-read. It’s full of relatable moments, clever humor, and unforgettable characters.

P.S. After reading this, I’m craving pad thai with peanuts! And yes, I’m proudly team Angel. 😏🤪

This was a short story that was really sweet. It seems the secret to happiness seems to be saying NO (which totally works for me). Lucas lives alone but he is happier that way. Until one day when a frying pan ruins his life. This story was funny and charming and I wish it had been longer since I liked the characters quite a bit. Also I would like to take a short coma. The writing was great and definitely I need to read more by this author.

the beginning of this was so strong that i was so sure i was going to love it.

but then it became too much for me.

i liked the start and had hoped the story would be about this early thirty guy just being happy in his own in his own life, living happily just being himself -saying no to any pressure or people around him trying to tell him that life should be more than just a single person doing what he loves.

but sadly it went into a very bizarre direction about the apartment building and an enormous pile….
i don’t know if this was supposed to be funny and it just wasn’t my type of humor or what it was doing but it didn’t work for me after the first 20 or so pages.


oh well i am sure there will be more than enough people loving this since Backman’s humor (?) seems to be something that works for most people. apparently i only enjoy his heartfelt sad stories.

i do recommend it if you want something strange and different, if you want to try this author or already know you love him.

The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman is a humorous short story.
This book was full of emotion, funny moments and fantastic characters.

This is the first book I’ve read by Fredrick Blackman, although I’ve sent them recommended so many times. But now I’m hooked.
Can’t wait to read the next one.

I am a huge fan of anything and everything Fredrik Backman writes especially his short stories. This was Perfection. Humans are in fact the worst (but maybe there are a few who are alright)

The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman translated by Elizabeth Denoma
Publication date: December 1st, 2024


As in all Backman's books, I found this short story hilarious!
Reading Fredrik Backman is always like taking a breath, and through comedy, there is a lot to analyze.

I love his sense of humor and creativity to tell stories of situations relatable to a daily basis with a touch of satire.
I also love how he addresses social problems in modern society.

In The Answer is No, he depicts how hard it can be to agree with people with so many different beliefs and reactions, and as usual, his characters are so diverse.

Reading his works is always entertaining, and his writing is so simple and attainable for all kinds of readers.

I was able to read the ebook on Netgalley. Thank you Amazon Original Stories.

The Answer Is No is a rather entertaining short story by Fredrik Backman. I was pleasantly surprised by this book, and its quirky characters really add to the development of the story.

Thank you, NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories, for an advanced readers copy. It definitely held my attention.

This story made me look at frying pans in a whole new way!!!

One small discarded frying pan created so much havoc, including amongst many other things, a cult following and totally ruined Lucas' orderly, low profile life.

I could not stop laughing! Fedrik Backman is a master of understatement and hyperbole!

<u>A Man Called Ove</u> was my first introduction to Backman's tongue in cheek style. I've read a few more of his books but despaired of ever loving another Backman character as much as I did Ove.

But Lucas is coming in a close second! Things did not look good for the reclusive Lucas. Blind bureaucracy and idiotic condo rules have ruined Lucas's peace: all he wants to do is play his brand new video game! Come on - leave a guy alone, will ya?!?!?!

The action and idiocy steadily escalates and you begin to fear that Lucas will never escape his dreadfully absurd fate. No spoilers here, but you really have to read this one!

My thanks to the author, Fredrik Backman, his publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this well written and highly amusing short story in exchange for an honest review. 5 out of 5 hilarious stars!

THE ANSWER IS NO. The story is about Lucas, a man who finds joy in avoiding the most disruptive thing in the world: other people. His life takes a hilarious turn when he gets entangled in a conflict over a misplaced frying pan. The short story is a delightful mix of sweetness, charm, and just the right amount of absurdity that it feels almost too real. It's a fun, quick read that will keep you entertained. Is this your first read by Backman? You are in for a treat!

I thank NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review. And, of course, a big thank you to Fredrik Backman for writing another delightful read!

This author is a must read for me, so of course I gave it a shot. And, as usual, it was a delightful read!
Is it a bit predictable and cliché? Sure, but it's still a cozy and comfortable read. The characters are stereotypical, in a funny way. The plot is absurd, but all of this is what makes the story so fun to read.
If you enjoy his previous work, you'll probably going to like this short story.

🚫⛔️🙅🏻🍳🥜
my rating: 4/5

thanks to netgalley, the author and the publisher for giving me a chance to read and review this ARC.

opinion:
there are happy people and there are unhappy people among all of us and everyone's feelings are valid. the book has an interesting message on bending your own life rules sometimes, especially in the times in need.

this book follows lucas, a man that stays alone in an apartment and he feels content and happy ordering his pad thai (with peanuts), taking his time playing video games and working from home. his schedule has been the same and feels very happy until one fine day; three people from his apartment building dropping by to interrogate him about a frying pan that has been dumped on the main street near their building.

this situation has caused him to cross his own border and boundaries for him to gain his "happiness" back. i enjoy reading this novella and it surprisingly taught me a lot on life lessons.

This was so fun and delightful in such an incredibly relatable way. I am Lucas, and Lucas is me.

(Thank you, Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.)

I am very disappointed because I couldn't finish this, even though it is a very short read. It started really well. I liked Lucas and his unwillingness to mingle with people (quite relatable for me); his initial conversation with 'three head's and 'the girl in purple'. But then it goes on and on with the ever growing 'pile' in the society and Lucas' wi-fi password and all that. To me, it seemed meaningless and unimaginative, as though everyone is trying too hard to be funny, and lost interest.
However, this book is getting fabulous reviews so maybe it's just me. You may like it if you liked A Man Called Ove.

Thank you for the opportunity and sorry it didn't work for me. Not posting my review anywhere else.

I think it's hard to create a short story that is complete, impactful, and fun to read, yet Fredrik Backman has accomplished just that. I enjoyed this story about Lucas, who enjoys solitude, and how his life gets turned upside down by a frying pan. Highly recommend!

I am not the right person for novellas or short stories.
But, I am very much the right person for Fredrik Backmans writing, so here we are.

For such a short story and such a weird and random plot, I liked it quite a bit.
His writing is so unique, I could read his grocery list and would probably like it.
The weirdness of the plot went a bit too far for me and I was glad it wasn't longer - made me think about certain themes in today's society and I enjoyed it for what it was.

I really enjoyed the first few chapters of this story. I particularly liked the descriptions used as a rejection of societal norms for what makes someone happy. In my opinion the rest of story was mediocre. I wish the rest of the characters were given names instead of descriptors to allow the reader to connect a bit more.