🛎️ Book Review: The Answer Is No by Fredrik Backman (Kindle Edition, Amazon Original Stories)
A delightfully absurd, emotionally resonant short story about solitude, bureaucracy, and the chaos of human connection—Fredrik Backman proves once again that he can turn the mundane into the profound, all in under 70 pages.
🧠 Overview
Published on December 1, 2024, The Answer Is No is a 68-page novella that follows Lucas, a man who has perfected the art of being alone. His ideal evening includes video games, pad thai (with peanuts), wine, and absolutely no human interaction.
But his peaceful existence is upended when the apartment board knocks on his door, demanding answers about a mysterious frying pan left near the recycling room. What begins as a petty inquiry spirals into a surreal community crisis involving cult members, protesters, a woman faking a coma, and a bureaucrat who refuses to acknowledge a growing pile of junk.
Through Lucas’s increasingly chaotic encounters, Backman explores the tension between isolation and connection, and the absurdity of trying to maintain control in a world that insists on intruding.
✨ Key Themes & Highlights
- 🧍♂️ Solitude vs. society – Lucas’s desire for peace clashes with the relentless demands of community life.
- 😂 Absurdist humor – From dishwasher debates to cult-like neighbors, Backman’s wit is razor-sharp.
- 🧠 Philosophical undertones – Beneath the comedy lies a meditation on happiness, boundaries, and the human need for control.
- 🗣️ Narrative voice – Lucas’s internal monologue is dry, neurotic, and deeply relatable.
- 🧩 Minimalist structure – A simple setup unfolds into a layered, character-driven farce.
“Don’t look on the internet for someone who is exactly like you. Look for someone who isn’t.” — The Answer Is No
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: ~3.92/5 from over 99,000 ratings
- 📖 Readers praise its humor, emotional insight, and Backman’s ability to make you laugh and cry in the same breath.
- 🧾 Some note that it’s more a character sketch than a plot-heavy story, but agree it’s a perfect afternoon read that lingers long after the last page.
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Short format – Best enjoyed as a one-sitting experience; not a full-length novel.
- 📚 Standalone – No prior reading required, though fans of A Man Called Ove or Anxious People will recognize Backman’s tone.
- 🧠 Subtle pacing – The story builds slowly through dialogue and internal reflection rather than dramatic action.
🏁 Final Verdict
The Answer Is No is a witty, poignant novella that captures the chaos of modern life through the eyes of a man who just wants to be left alone. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy dry humor, quirky characters, and stories that find meaning in the everyday.
