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.

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!