This short story was everything I needed to read in an afternoon and more. While it had an absurd premise, in true Backman fashion, it had me sorting through my feelings and taking a deeper look at life. I enjoyed considering the difference between being happy and not being unhappy, while examining how I live my life and realizing that while it is important to say "yes" to some things, saying "no" is also ok.

If you are looking for an over-the-top but meaningful quick read, this is for you.

Fredrik does it again! His writing style is so unique and I‘m enjoying each of his books so much. The answer is no is such a cute story about life, happiness, relationships and how all of it means different things for different people and how situations can be approached in so many different ways. I had the best time reading this and I love that he has such good lines in all of his books that‘ll stay with me forever! Thanks to netgalley & the publisher for this arc.

So bizarre and funny at the same time, I love Fredrik Backman’s effortless outlook on humanity and life

A short but poignant tale about Lucas, a man whose idea of a perfect life is video games, wine, Pad Thai and no people. However the world intrudes despite him and his life spirals out of his control. Can he possibly ever regain his personal idea of perfection.

This is an excellent story with so much packed into its 67 pages. Backman is a brilliant observer of life and his comments are frequently laugh aloud funny and always pertinent. It is a little worrying that there is so much truth in his comedy and his outrageous characters.

A really enjoyable read. It made my day!

Something about this one didn’t do it for me. Backman is a good writer and knows how to tell a touching story. Lucas lives in an apartment building and is mostly isolated from other people. One day, people from his condo board knock on his door and ask him if he was the one that left the frying pan in The hallway. Of course it wasn’t him, and he offered to clean it up, but his neighbors decline. The frying pan multiplies into a huge junk pile, and Lucas is forced to interact with his neighbors. Though he is uncomfortable, he learns a little about himself and how to interact with others along the way.

I just thought the story was kind of weird and pointless. There are some funny parts and some good zingers.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for providing me with a copy of this story to review.

This book was so cute and funny and I fell in love with the people in it. Its just had good messages through out the whole story and I didn't want it to end. I loved Lucas he was just funny and I loved that he was just loner that thought what he needed in life is to be happy by himself. I need more by this author right away!! So glad that I requested this book I didnt think I would like it but sure was wrong that is why I am giving this 5 stars because it so deserves it.

"The Answer is No", by Fredrik Backman, is a fantastic read! The short story follows Lucas and the ridiculous antics of his fellow residents in his apartment complex. It's an excellent look at how society functions (or disfunctions?) with all of the bureaucracy of daily life and how the powers that be avoid taking responsibility of the very things they were established to handle.

The story itself is chockful of wit and hilarity from beginning to end and had me actually guffawing at several points throughout. Backman proves that for a great narrative you don't need much more than a small cast of characters and to focus on the extremes of the absurdities of modern society.

I quite readily scored this one 5 out of 5, and I look forward to reading more from Fredrik Backman!

This short story is so powerful. It manages everything that a complete novel sometimes cannot. The characters are interesting and relatable, the main character goes through such a good character development without completely changing, the interpersonal connections in this are so heartwarming, and the plot is just so funny. I for sure will be reading more by fredrik backman.

Thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to Amazon Original Stories for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This short story was a delightful and humorous read. Truly a nod to all introverts who find happiness within their own company.

"Absolutely zero people go to therapy because yesterday they were sitting in a comfortable chair, eating a perfect pizza, drinking a good glass of wine, and watching a really funny movie."

This book was heartwarming and hilarious. Lucas was a bit of a grump and loaner by choice. All he wants is to be left alont to play video games and enjoy his pad thai (honestly, relatable). But then someone leaves a drying pan on the floor next to the recycling room and all hell breaks loose. This was a great palette cleanser full of Backman's known wit and humor.

The secret to happiness may just be learning to say no.

Back man really nails human nature.in this book.. A quick read which really pit a,smile on my face with its ending. Not that the book was over but the way it ended. I am thrilled to recommend this book to everyone.

Only Backman can make a story revolving around a frying pan and a pile of junk and be totally brilliant!
He is one of my favorite authors because of his unique sense of humor and the subtle way he mocks things and topics that surround us every day.
That short story is no exception, with a lot of fun but at the same time, makes your brain go through serious topics and questions.
This short story is about our main character, Lucas and his happy peaceful life, the key to which is….avoiding people, of course 😂 But one frying pan is the sole culprit of derailing his blissful solitude in no time.
Lucas's “hermit” mentality is so relatable at least to me and find his motive so true and close that the whole story feels so personal😂 And that's the other amazing gift that Backman has is that he always makes his characters so real and so relatable that your reaction is “That is so like me, I feel that”.
Absolutely loved it, and he never disappoints!

As usual, Backman's characters feel completely zany while being wholeheartedly relatable and realistic. I enjoyed this quick story about things spiraling out of control, chuckling along the way. A quick and funny read, it feels so happy to step back into the charming world Backman creates.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

This was a perfectly funny short story. So many hilarious nuggets. It reminds us all to not take things so seriously and also that people are weird. Sometimes we just need to be “in a coma”. IYKYK. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced reader’s copy.

Lucas is so happy to spend time alone. He doesn't need friends to complicate his solitary lifestyle. He loves to drink wine, play video games, and eat Pad Thai. Life is great!

When a group of residents upset his perfect evening alone by demanding to see his frying pan, the mayhem unfolds.

An entertaining short read full of wit and humor.

Thank you Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC of The Answer is No! All opinions in this review are my own.

The Beartown series by Fredrik Backman is one of my favorites so I was excited to read a shorter (and lighter) story by him. Backman is able to expertly describe the human condition in a way that many people can relate to. In The Answer No, it is trying to ignore you neighbors so that you can get back to what you want to do.

All Lucas wants to do is play his new video game but because one of his neighbors left a frying pan in the recycling room, he gets roped into finding the culprit by members of the HOA. The story gets more and more ridiculous as the time goes on until finally Lucas actually steps in.

Overall, this was a light and fun read by a fantastic author.

Lucas has figured out how to maintain happiness... avoid all people. This seems to be working for him, until he unintentionally becomes the center of social attention at his apartment building. Suddenly, avoiding people seems impossible, but maybe Lucas has some things to learn about his beliefs about happiness.

This is a heartwarming, quirky short story from Fredrik Backman and it did not disappoint. I think Backman has such a way of developing characters that evoke emotion in a reader. It's a quick one, but nonetheless a story that will stick with you!

This book is not what I was expecting at all but probably one of the most highlighted books on my Kindle. “You don’t need that much appreciation as a mother. Just a little bit. You don’t need that much validation. Just…a little.”

Another excellent short story/novella from Fredrik Backman. Every time I read another one of his stories, I wonder why I haven't already read his entire backlist because his writing is excellent. This was entertaining, witty and just a delightful ride from beginning to end. I adored it!

Fun, witty, and adorable - this short story was actually my first read by Fredrik Backman but won't be my last, for sure! This is the story of a loner, Lucas, who enjoys staying at home with his pad thai and his video games, when an incident involving a frying pan changes his life. I won't go into any more detail because this story is best when going in blind - and what a story it is. Enjoy!

“Just to be clear: It’s not that Lucas hates other people. He just really enjoys being where other people aren’t.”

It's only fitting that my 100th book of the year is by one of my favorite authors.

I don't read a lot of short stories, but I'll read anything by Fredrik Backman.

Thank you, Netgalley and Amazon Original Stories, for the eARC. This was a fun read that was perfect for a lazy Saturday afternoon.

I love Backman's quirky mind and the characters he is able to create. Even at 70 pages, I found all the characters well developed, enabling me to immerse myself in this novella. Another Fredrik Backman win..