You can never really guess where a Fredrik Backman story is going to go. But you can be certain that it will be brimming with his signature wit and shrewd observations of humanity while gracing its characters, and thus its readers, with much needed compassion.

When the world feels so unwelcoming, when you feel like you inhabit a body so foreign, when you are simply trying to learn how to live—his books will hold your hand while you (re)gain your footing.

this started off way too ridiculous with Facebook comic strip humor, but ended up having some really sweet moments with great thoughts about society and humanity

Very quick and easy read by a unique author. I enjoyed this one, it was very much in the vein of other Backman books that I have read- grumpy main characters who always learn by the end. It was an easy read as it was a short story. I still think that the message got through, though. As with a lot of other short stories, I left wanting just a bit more that we don't get because of the word limits. It was cute, and somewhat heart warming. A perfect New Year's Eve read to bring in the positivity to the new year.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

Special thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this short story. While I get the intended message, it was a little too odd for me. Glad it was a short story.

Don't we all just want to be left alone sometimes? All Lucas wants is a quiet life with his favorite things but the neighbors won't stop knocking and it leads him to a wealth of discovery- both about himself and others.

This was an extremely quirky story that laced in humor. I found it a bit odd and not my cup of tea however I do not regret reading it and look forward to trying Backman's newest novel "My Friends".

Thank you NetGalley for this Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

The Answer is No is the first book by Fredrik Backman that I've had the pleasure to read, and I can't wait to read everything on his backlist.
This was just the funniest, endeering, thought-provoking, and sarcastic mix of brilliant writing combined into a short story that hits your heart.
Lucas is happy being alone. He has no family, he works from home, he likes pad tai from his favourite take out restaurant that delivers at the click of a button and he enjoys playing video games and drinking red wine. What he doesn't like are people. Then, one day, there's a knock at the door of his apartment. He opens it to find 'the board' of his building, who is investigating who's left a frying pan outside the recycling room overnight. What could have been sorted out simply and quickly at Lucass suggestion becomes a huge mess and poor Lucas finds himself in the middle of the whole thing with endless knocks on his door and contact with people taking him out of his happy bubble.
This was so whitty and clever, and I loved how Fredrik took something simple that can happen to any one of us and made such a fun, heart-pulling story in under 100 pages.

The Answer is No is a hilarious satirical short story about an introvert named Lucas. Lucas is content on living his life playing video games, eating Pad Thai with extra peanuts and a glass of wine. But a frying pan interrupts those plans. I love this short story I laughed so many times out loud. Fredrick Backman understands a thing or two about humans. My first read from him and it didn't disappoint. I actually would have loved if this was longer, I would have loved to get know the character Lucas more.

I will preface this by saying this is the first I have read of this author, so I did not have any idea what to expect...and I'm not really sure what I read. I suppose it was a whole lot of jumble to say that sometimes you have to do something in order to create your own happiness.

It is told in the third person, and initially, I found Lucas so relatable - he's very much an introvert who is content with his own company. Some of the chaos that ensued was also relatable,but it sort of spiraled in the middle. The ending wrapped up interestingly and on a positive note though.

Publishing date: 01.12.2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

This is my first Fredrik Backman book, and I am not sure if this represents the rest of his work properly. Something about this felt a little ... off?
This is a comedy. Everything is on the nose. At a certain point it became absurd really. If you easily get second hand embarrassment or socially anxious from fiction, don't read this. These characters gave me several aneurysms.

Still, I did find the book funny. Not laugh-out-loud funny, but chuckle kind of funny.

Final ranking and star rating?
3 stars, C tier. This book was fine. Not what I expected of this author, but it has gotten me intrigued with the rest of his work. I think this might be a fine entrypoint if you have never read Backman, but I might be wrong. Cheap, short read. I recommend :--)

Fredrik Bachman is a genius when it comes to capturing human experience at its best. Heart-warming, thought provoking and true to his style, packed with a quirky cast of characters, you won’t be disappointed with this short read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance digital copy in exchange for my honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you so much @AmazonPublishing for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 01 December 2024)

SYNOPSIS | Lucas knows exactly what he wants: pad Tai, video games, wine and to be left alone. His solitude is interrupted when his neighbour comes to inform him that someone has left a frying pan on the floor next to the recycling room and chaos ensues.

WHAT I LIKED:
- the characters were caricatures in the best possible way
- thought-provoking quotes plopped throughout
- self-deprecating wit a plenty
- so very readable + relatable
- the final scene is quite satisfying

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- the middle took a bit of a detour, but overall its sort of just a silly little story

I've always enjoyed this authors writing and this short story didn't disappoint.. Fredriks characters are second to none and I loved the deeper meaning to this.

This is a typical Backman story centred around a guy who we would call an antisocial weirdo if he weren't that genuinely relatable. Ridiculously provocative, absurd and hilarious.

The Answer is No is a short story about how the ridiculousness of modern life ends up causing one man's solitary world to start spinning suddenly and out of control. This was such a cute story that was written well. I loved how this was funny as well. One of my favorite characters was the woman in the purple dress but they were all great. Overall, I highly enjoyed this short story and look forward to reading more books from this author. Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher for this short story in exchange of my honest review of The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman.

I have read several books by Fredrik Backman, some I have loved, and some, like this one, I haven't. I just didn't get this one. If it had not been a short story, I don't think I would have finished it.

I'm a massive fan of anything this author writes! This book took me on a roller coaster and was very provocating, which I appreciated, not to mention it was a quick read. 10/10 for me!!!!

Backman brings his witty humour, with relatable characters and scenarios in this short story.

Lucas just wants to be left alone, left to his own devices with his routines and favourite things - he is happy being by himself. But, he soon finds himself entangled in the search for the culprit who left a fry pan next to the shared housing recycling room - which leads to further chaotic and ridiculous event.

This had me laughing out loud and completely understanding and relating to how Lucas wanted his life to be. All of the side character easily reminded me of people I have know throughout my life and it was just a good time.

Thank-you @netgalley @amazonpublishing and Fredrick for this Digital Advanced Readers Copy, in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Original Stories, and the author for the chance to read this book.

This is a very short story that is absurd and hilarious! I didn't really know what to expect but had seen positive comments from others and really enjoyed it.
If you're in need of a laugh and have time for a quick read (under 100 pages), then give this a go - I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Fredrik Backman does a great job in writing this, it had that humor that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of this story. It was translated well and was glad I got to read this. It worked well overall and was invested in the characters and their story.

I love everything Fredrik Backman writes, and this was no different. A gorgeous little story, with characters I could have followed for an entire full length novel.