Book Specifications
Title – The Answer is No
Author – Fredrik Backman
Pages – 68
Published – 2024
Genre – Short Story, Fiction , Humour, Novella
About the Author & his Works
Fredrik Backman, a Swedish author now known worldwide, has a truly unique storytelling style that pairs heartwarming humor with sharp insight into human nature. He first exploded onto the literary scene with A Man Called Ove, a novel about a curmudgeonly yet tender soul that became a New York Times bestseller and inspired a film starring Tom Hanks . His later novels, including My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, Britt-Marie Was Here, Beartown, Us Against You, and the novellas And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer and The Deal of a Lifetime, further cemented his reputation for emotionally resonant storytelling . Backman has also explored non-fiction and other short-form works, but his strength remains in crafting strong human characterisation and situations that feel both quirky and profound.
Book Review of ‘The Answer Is No’
The Plot
The Answer Is No is a short story—or novella—that distils all of Backman’s talents into fewer than 100 pages It introduces us to Lucas, a man who has built a life intentionally designed to avoid people. His perfect evening involves just three things: video games, wine, pad Thai ( with the mandatory peanuts), and absolutely no human interaction.
Then, in the most delightfully absurd twist imaginable, Lucas’s solitude gets rudely interrupted one fateful night when the apartment board—an officious and overweening trio—rings his doorbell demanding to see his frying pan, found abandoned near the recycling room . Instead of a quiet fix, this minor disruption sets off a cascade of increasingly outrageous events: Lucas catches a neighbor stealing his Wi-Fi, another neighbor lies about being in a coma to escape her onerous family, all this while a heap of junk piles up on the sidewalk. Before long, Lucas finds himself unexpectedly appointed president of the “Pile Committee” by the board, and then penalised when authorities reclassify the heap as a ‘hill’.
As the story unfolds, Lucas’s life devolves into chaos—but in the chaos, Backman infuses his trademark wit, warmth, and sharp societal observations. The absurdity reaches its crescendo when online chatter transforms Lucas into a kind of accidental cult figure—propagating that he’s an angel.
My Personal Reflections
The Answer Is No shines as a pithy, humorous exploration of introversion in an over-connected age. Lucas’s quest for solitude—and how comically it unravels—is both hilarious and oddly comforting. Backman highlights a modern problem: the freedom of saying “no” to social obligation, balanced against the unpredictable ways genuine human connection can still sneak in.
His writing remains sharp, playful, and emotionally intelligent, reminding us that even the simplest stories can carry great truths. Particularly in today’s world, where “always on” is normal, Lucas’s curated cocoon speaks volumes—and the story reminds us that sometimes it’s the minor disruptions that lead to the most meaningful connections.
If you’re familiar with Backman’s longer novels, you’ll feel right at home. If you’re new to him, this short story is an excellent introduction to his unique blend of warmth, wit, and wise insight
Who Should Read It?
-
Introverts familiar with the urge to escape social demands.
-
Fans of subtle, character-driven humor and satire.
-
Readers pressed for time but craving emotional appeal.
-
Anyone curious about how simple premises can reveal the absurd beauty of everyday life.
Highlights from “The Answer is No”
- “Because the doctors and nurses understand very well that all the modern pills and treatments are surely great, but sometimes what people really need most of all is a prescription for a break.”
- “Lucas opens the door with the defeated manner of a sausage that dressed itself up as a carrot to avoid being eaten by a bear, only to be found by a rabbit.”
- “But I think most people who want to be happy try to add things to their lives. But really what maybe they should be doing is taking something away.”
Parting Thoughts
Fredrik Backman’s novella delivers a concentrated dose of Backman’s signature depth and the comical. Though small in scope, the story delivers a witty and surprisingly warm foray into the concept of solitude versus connection.It is also a satire laced commentary upon the absurdity of red tapism. The Answer is No can be a perfect afternoon read that entertains but also prompts us to maybe hold our “yes” reflex to social demands. While Lucas believes that saying no to change and company is the best strategy to being happy , in the end he actually embraces both without sacrificing his happiness.
This said, some readers may find it less emotionally compelling than Backman’s more dramatic earlier works.
CHECK OUT THESE POSTS
Love in the time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson – A Witty Slow Burn Romance
5 Life-Changing Books That Will Transform Your Perspective on Life
10 Handpicked Christmas Classics : Books that Celebrate the Festive Spirit
7 Great Books that Talk about Emotional Health #EveryConversationMatters
Book Review: The Vegetarian by Han Kang – Exploring Identity,Obsession and Fragility
“This post is part of the Bookish League blog hop hosted by Bohemian Bibliophile”
Read more book reviews on my Goodreads PROFILE
Or check out my BOOKSTAGRAM
Images designed on CANVA
Leave a Reply