Lucas is pulled from his comforting isolation when his apartment board drags him into an investigation into who left a frying pan on the ground outside. It's a quick read with Backman's humor, emotion, and strong voice. I enjoyed it as much as the longer works of his I've read.

A short story that reminded me a bit of “a man called one” . It was an enjoyable read since I really like Backmans writing but not very memorable. Can be a good introduction into Backmans books.

“Because people aren’t supposed to be happy, they’re only supposed to want to be happy because how otherwise are you supposed to be able to sell things to them”

The Answer is No is a short story (68 pages) by Fredrik Backman.

I've read most works by Fredrik Backman, so a 68 page short story ... "I'm in!"

Very satirical. Very Fredrik Backman. But very condensed. What's not to like?

Lucas doesn't socialize much. Likes video games, wine and pad thai ... and not really people. And then there is a knock on his door.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the opportunity to read the advance read copy of The Answer is NO in exchange for an honest review. Written by Fredrik Backman and translated by Elizabeth DeNoma. Approx 68 pages. Released in early December 2024.

Wow! What a book! At first I couldn't figure out what in the world I was reading! Well, actually all the way through I was trying to figure that out! I'm not sure I have ever read a book where so many characters don't have names, only descriptions! Green shirt, purple dress, etc, all become important charactaters that made me laugh out loud several times! Overall, a quick, easy read about humans, life, and how to find happiness! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

A Backman short story about a man who has voluntarily and happily cut himself off from other people and how he is then drawn back into the fold by a frying pan.....

This felt like a morality tale, a parable showing the good of being part of a group, rather than alone, equating happiness with others, forgetting that unhappiness is also part of being with others too. Me I remain rather sceptic.

An ARC kindly given by author/publisher via Netgalley.

Backman’s writing seems so simple but it is also so profound. It is thought provoking but also approachable. Heartwarming and heartbreaking. In less than 100 pages, he made me love Lucas, the woman in the green shirt, and the woman in the purple dress and made me feel as if I knew so much more about them than I could possibly learn in such a short story. I laughed out loud at certain parts at the ridiculousness of the characters. But even though there was some silliness, they still held a bit of truth, particular about social media. As always when reading Backman, I loved the entire experience.

Nothing describes human nature better than all the reasons why we shouldn't want to be near other people.

(I loved it, I can't believe this is the first “book” I read by Fredrik Backman)

Thanks to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

The Answer is No takes you on the adventure of a few days in the life of Lucas, a life which is usually not adventurous as at. Until a frying pan goes missing.
This is a quick and absurd novella which you should not take too seriously but which surprisingly has some deeper insights on life itself. It has the usual humour we’re used to from Backman‘s other novels as well as quirky characters which manage to charm you in an effortless way. I would lie if I didn‘t find some parts of Lucas relatable.
The perfect book for a quick laugh!

Oh, Fredrik Backman. You have a way with taking something so silly or ordinary and somehow making it deep.

The Answer is No follows Lucas, a 30-something man who lives on his own and loves his life. He does what he wants, most of which is done by himself with little interaction with others around him. After a frying pan shows up on the ground outside his apartment building’s recycling center he gets dragged into the apartment board’s politics, his neighbors, and—strange enough—a cult!

Everything about this story was typical Fredrik Backman—quirky characters, funny scenarios, and lots of unexpected feelings. I love it 🥰

This book was beyond charming, wholly funny, overall an interesting short story. I was really excited to get this book as an ARC, as I have been interested in Backman’s writing but haven’t had the opportunity to read anything by him yet. This story was so hilarious. I loved the lighthearted and wholesome way the book moved throughout the story and Lucas’ perspective on life was truly refreshing.

I am definitely going to try to pick up some of his other translated works. Thank you so much to Netgalley & Amazon Original Stories for this ARC!

I like how real Frederick makes his characters! Even though Lucas is a solitary person, I feel that anyone could relate to him in some way because his opinions were so valid and real. This is the first story I’ve read by Frederick and I now want to read more!

This heartwarming and hilariously funny book was just what I needed. Lucas, a grumpy loner content with video games and pad Thai, finds his quiet life upended after a frying pan incident sparks chaos. The quirky characters, identified by their clothing colors, and the slapstick humor reminded me of classic comedy sketches like Who's on First. A perfect palate cleanser and a highly recommended read for anyone in need of a good laugh. It was a great read!

A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This 68-page novella involves a main character named Lucas who dislikes people and simply wants to be left alone as he keeps getting pulled into silly drama with multiple crazy and unique characters in his apartment building. In typical Fredrik Backman style, it is hilarious, creative, witty, relatable, satirical, and evokes an excellent heartwarming message. I had so much fun reading it and wish it had been longer! Backman will always be a must-read author for me. I highly recommend this quick, cute, and lovely short story for everyone! Thank you to NetGalley, Fredrik Backman, and Amazon Original Stories for the gifted ARC in an exchange for an honest review.

"The Answer Is No" is about:

1) The ability to annoy each other
2) A pile of garbage that keeps growing
3) A frying pan
4) Red wine, video games, and Pad Thai with peanuts
5) Lucas, our MC...who only wants to be left alone with the three items in bullet point #4

This is a 68-page novelette and/or 1H 59M audiobook written by Fredrik Backman in his indisputably witty satiric style and odd mix of characters who talk in his head until he puts them on paper.

These characters were a crazy mix of insanity I didn't know I needed and I'm delighted they arrived.

For animal lovers like me, there's a kitty in the story, too. I thought you'd like to know.

Now...I will patiently wait for Backman's next group of characters to arrive!

4.25⭐

Thank you to Amazon Original Stories and Fredrik Backman for the DRC via NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Fabulous short story, about a man in a flat who has found the ideal balance of life – happy, quiet solitude. It involves work, and takeaway deliveries, but no other people to upset his pleasure and leisure. But, of course, things are not going to be allowed to carry on like that. I'd say the DNA of it all is 20% Italo Calvino ("The Black Sheep" style, in particular), 20% Mitch Albom, 20% Antoine Laurain, and 40% Monty Python. It's a pleasant, amenable whimsy and quite a joyous thing. Right up my street – and I'm not alone in that.

My Selling Pitch:
Do you want to read a short story that feels like an outtake from Anxious People about the kooky neighbors?

Pre-reading:
Fredrik Backman is one of my favorite authors ever. I will pick up anything the man publishes.

(obviously potential spoilers from here on)
Thick of it:
Literally his writing is funny, gripping, and charming every single time you open it.

He makes me laugh every single time.

I also love apartments, but hate neighbors.

Oopsies, dill is my favorite because I’m a whore for pickles.

I think about that raccoon and the cotton candy way too much.

Post-reading:
This read like an outtake from Anxious People. It's funny. It’s charming. It’s too short to really have a satisfying narrative arc. I don't think you need to rush out and read it, but if you've liked the author’s other work, this feels like a deleted scene.

Who should read this:
Fans of quirky characters
Anxious People fans
People who like the movie Up

Ideal reading time:
Anytime

Do I want to reread this:
Nah, I’ll just remember it.

Would I buy this:
Probably wouldn't buy something this short, but I’m glad I read it.

Similar books:
* Anxious People by Fredrik Backman-full length novel with the same bouncy narrative voice and kooky escapades
* Cut and Thirst by Margaret Atwood-short story, ensemble cast

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Fun short story in the true Backman way. This contains satirical characters and it is still relatable, Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the chance to read this book.

I liked this, but it didn’t blow my mind and make me rethink my whole existence like Backman’s other novels. It was funny and thought provoking. Look forward to more from Backman.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this ebook!

This was honestly the perfect little novella, and I finished it in one sitting! Fredrick Backman is so talented, and I love his writing style. Even this novella just felt like such a cute great little story! The only thing I didn’t like about it was that I wanted to read more! He just makes you fall so in love with each of his characters and it’s so creative and unique:

I adore Backman’s writing style. His characters are sarcastic, witty and completely relatable. For me, he is one of the few authors who can make a short story feel complete where most leave me wanting more (not in the good way).

This was a fantastic story that I highly recommend!