Cute and quirky and reminds you of why I need a Fredrik Bachman book! A fun, quick read with great characters.

This author's style is clear, direct, witty, and dry. Enjoyable story and characters! I enjoy the humor and observations made by Lucas and others.

The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman is a quirky and heartwarming short story that showcases the author's signature humor and deep understanding of human nature. It's the kind of quick read that feels light yet full of those little life truths we all need. The story follows Lucas, a man who values his privacy and quiet moments above all else. When a bizarre situation involving a frying pan forces him out of his comfortable solitude, the result is both hilarious and surprisingly insightful.

If you're a fan of Backman's work, especially A Man Called Ove, you’ll likely enjoy this short story. It's funny, relatable, and offers an unexpected emotional punch despite its brevity. It’s perfect for those moments when you just want a quick, entertaining read that still leaves you thinking.

This story might not be as deep as some of his novels, but it certainly has that familiar, warm-hearted charm. I absolutely recommend it to anyone who needs a short break from a heavy reading schedule, or anyone who loves Backman's witty take on life's quirks.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 stars)

Thank you so much to both NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am currently reading "A Man Called Ove" by the same author and while I do love it, I started reading as I was in a bit of an emotional state, so I am a bit hesitant to go back into reading it, which is why I decided to push myself back into Backman's works and read this short story beforehand.
If there is one contemporary author I believe can get to literally every reader, I think it's Fredrik Backman and this is yet another proof of this. This is a story about a person who isolates himself to a seemingly perfect little cosy bubble and would like to not be interrupted, thank you very much. However, nosy, tired and a tad bit weird people as well as even a Residential Board three-headed animal find themselves ringing the bell as if that was their job and his happy bubble is pretty close to bursting. The main themes are empathy, the importance of connection, and intentions. I am not sure whether this sort of ambiguous ending works for Fredrick Backman's writing style, it kinda put me off, if I'm being truly honest, but overall I think the short story is very good and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants an impactful yet funny and cosy read.

As always, Fredrik Backman’s writing manages to entertain with quirky characters while including some wonderful insights into human nature and relationships - without lecturing. Everything he publishes is beautifully written and timeless.

This book was so funny. I really loved the writing style and how the author decided to take on some themes. It is such a good quick read to relax after a long week. I think that the problem that out character is facing is so small but I think that's exactly how society works. We take a small problem and turn it into a serious issue to resolve. I totally recommend this short story.

A bit all over the place, but I did like the message it was trying to transmit. Not my favorite text by Backman, I feel like he started this with an ending in mind and then while writing it he changed his mind and went another way. Lost its sense of cohesion.

I think you either get Fredrik Backman or you don’t! I’m so thankful that I do. He is one of my favorite authors. The way he writes about people makes me feel seen. His stories always remind me that despite our differences, we have so much in common.
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Also, he writes grumpy characters better than anyone else! Lucas was content living his solitary life, until a frying pan thrown out on the sidewalk ruined everything. 😂 He gets roped into neighbor dramas and HOA board dramas and he finds out that maybe, just maybe, life is better with people in it. 🥰 I’m a Backman super fan and will read anything he writes!

A perfect bite sized Backman story.
There’s no mistaking the heartfelt writing in this short story by Fredrick Backman.
Every human can relate to the main character AND the situations in which he finds himself.
Pour yourself a cuppa and take a break with this delightful work.

Thank you Net Galley and Amazon Original Stories for the opportunity to read this.

I have to say, I definitely enjoyed this story more in the beginning, so thank goodness it was a short story. It was very odd, and I did not find it as humorous as others. However, there were times I smiled and let out a little chuckle. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Everything Fredrik Backman writes is genious. Even his social media posts feel like literature. The same is true for this short story: The Answer is No.
Lucas is thirty-something and living his dream life. He lives alone and is perfectly happy because there are no other people in his life. Other people are the reason for unhappiness and he is happy. He can do what he wants, eat what he wants and no one comments on his method of loading the dishwasher.
But then a frying pan ruins his life.

I tore through this story on a Sunday night, with a cup of tea sitting under a blanket near my Christmas tree. Backman’s views on social media portrayed in this book are hilarious. If you fell in love with his writing style after Beartown, or after reading Ove, this is a wonderful short story to spend an evening with.

Thank you to Amazon and NetGalley for the ARC.

Plot: Lucas is kind of a loner - but he’s content. He is never very happy or very sad - he lives life thinking simply about each day, and he doesn’t leave his apartment. But a frying pan could force him out of his comfort zone and change everything.

Review: After LOVING A Man Called Ove and not loving Anxious People, I was ready to see where this one would land for me. I liked it. Backman writes a good loner - his musings make me think and appreciate life. I loved the side characters and the fact that the main character was the only one referred to by name - I felt like I was in Lucas’s head. This is definitely a short story that packs a punch, and I’ll be thinking about it for a while!

4⭐️

i mean if fredrik backman doesn’t make you cry because an isolated (and 9 times out of 10 grumpy) mc learns that sometimes the chaos they feared can bring joy and new opportunities, i don’t know what to tell you.

i forever adore his satirical sense of humor, as well as the way that he can rip your heartstrings out and then give them back to you

Backman has this unique ability to take a character that most would find prickly and unwelcoming lovable. Once again he makes the story of Lucas, a man who is permanently happy because he does not interact with others, something cute. This short story is about how a frying pan destroys Lucas's life. One night someone leaves an old frying pan outside the door of the recycling room cause a chain reaction starting with the "board" trying to find the culprit.

If you like Backman, you will enjoy this one. It is a short story that you can read in an hour or so, so it also gives this nice break in your reading schedule.

I don't know one person that didn't like Backman's A Man Called Ove. I've read many of his other books and enjoyed each one. I was excited to read this and wasn't disappointed.

This book was more than I expected. It was witty, funny and full of satire. I enjoyed it very much. Highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy. This is my honest review.

I found Backman’s latest short story to be a bit allegorical and while not laugh out loud comedy, I did find it humorous and honestly thought-provoking. I related to Lucas probably more than I should, and the other characters and storyline shone a light on a lot of how the world is.

A rollercoaster that had me laughing from page to page. It’s a masterful blend of humor, thoughtfulness, and emotional depth that manages to hit all the right notes.

It all begins with a frying pan—a seemingly ordinary object that sets off an extraordinary chain of events. What follows is a whirlwind of head-shaking moments, perplexing board meetings, and a hilarious "how did I get into this mess" saga. The controversy over Pad Thai with and without peanuts adds an extra layer of absurdity to the mix, making every page a joy to read.

Backman skillfully explores the essence of friendship and the convoluted ways we sometimes try to escape the world for a bit. Amidst all the chaos, there's a tender examination of what it means to have friends and the lengths we go to for them.

The story comes full circle with another frying pan moment, bringing a satisfying and humorous conclusion to a tale filled with ridiculous yet endearing situations. I loved every word and found myself laughing out loud at the absurdity and charm of this short story.

This is my fourth book by Fredrick Bachman and i am really loving his writing style. The author typically starts his books of with a weird but intriguing cliffhanger that instantly makes you want to read on and this was no different. I always enjoy a good short story and "The answer is no" was the perfect length for a quick but memorable read. I love the way Fredrik Bachman always manages to build a story around many different characters but still really dive in to their different character traits. He is very good at bringing out both the good and the bad in people that leaves the reader with a lot to think about. I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline around "the pile" and would recommend this if you are looking for a quick read (especially if you are an introvert). I will leave off on this quote from the story "Lucas is happy. It's not as hard as one might think to become, the hard part is just to keep being it. It's hard because it's so easy to get in your head that if you are to be happy, you have to be happy exactly all of the time. And who in the world has the energy for that? happiness can be exhausting. Honestly, it's most often enough to just be the opposite. So, Lucas isn't unhappy. That's the secret"... This stayed with me:)

It's very rude of Fredrik Backman not to include the doctors name and number on the back 🤪. I'm just kidding...sort of. This was delightful and the perfect short read. Highly recommend everyone pick this up.

This was a quick, easy read, but it was not overly impressive to me. It’s perfect for someone who is just getting into (or back into reading), but for an avid reader like myself it just didn’t quite hit the mark.