Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of "The Answer is No" by Fredrik Backman. All opinions are my own.

I received a copy of this from Amazon First Reads. This was a fun quick novella. This author has a great style.

I have never read a work of this author previous to "The Answer is No" and if the rest of his bibliography is anything like this short story, that's a fact that needs to be remedied immediately. This short story is hilariously right in so many of its jabs against human nature that I could have highlighted half the pages during my read. It was so on point for most of it, I laughed, chuckled, felt myself be amused by, envious of and inspired by the protagonist, Lucas.
There's not much I can say without spoiling the entirety of it, but if you do enjoy finding the absurd in human behavior, if you don't mind this being exaggerated to the extremes - this might be a quick read for you.
I enjoyed it tremendously and I for sure have already people in mind, I'd like to recommend this as their next read. Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Fredrik Backman has inevitably moved from an auto-buy author, to an auto-5 star author, and one of my absolute favourites. He writes the best characters and has my favourite narration, and The Answer is No is no exception.

Lucas had a carefully curated life that limits his interaction with other humans as much as possible. That is until the board of his apartment building pays him a visit on their mission to solve the mystery of a stray frying pan. Lucas, who is quite put out by this interruption to the natural order of things, puts his foot in it and suddenly never knows peace again. These new challenges bring him closer than he’s even been to the people who live right down the hall.

I love every single character in this book! Lucas is a classic antisocial nihilist (I see you), and the trio from the board were hilarious. Backman has such a natural way of writing back and forth banter and he always puts a smile on my face. The characters are humanised by small details that makes them relatable and I love the unpredictability of his stories.

The secret ingredient of this book is equal parts humour and heart; Lucas’ growth and development in such a short story is perfectly done and will leave you content when you turn the final page.

Sadly disappointed in this short story by one of my favorite authors.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Fredrik Backman’s The Answer is No is a delightful departure from the heartfelt, reflective tone he’s known for, delivering instead a laugh-out-loud comedic gem. This short story is packed with humour, wit, and Backman’s signature knack for capturing human quirks.

The plot is simple yet hilariously relatable, centred on the escalating absurdities of one person’s determination to stand their ground. Backman’s ability to exaggerate everyday situations while keeping them grounded in recognizable emotions is on full display.

Despite its brevity, the story brims with charm and cleverly constructed characters. Backman’s sharp humour and impeccable timing make this a memorable reading experience. While it’s an exception to his usual poignant style, it’s proof that his range as a storyteller is as versatile as it is engaging.

For anyone seeking a quick, uplifting read—or simply something to make them laugh out loud—The Answer is No is a must-read. It’s a small slice of joy that will leave you smiling long after the last line.