The Answer Is No

A Short Story

By: Fredrik Backman, Elizabeth DeNoma - translator

Narrated by: Stacy Gonzalez

In a hilarious short story from New York Times bestselling author Fredrik Backman, the absurdities of modern life cause one man’s solitary world to spin suddenly, and comically, out of control.

Lucas knows the perfect night entails just three things: video games, wine, and pad thai. Peanuts are a must! Other people? Not so much. Why complicate things when he’s happy alone?

Then one day the apartment board, a vexing trio of authority, rings his doorbell. And Lucas’s solitude takes a startling hike. They demand to see his frying pan. Someone left one next to the recycling room overnight, and instead of removing the errant object, as Lucas suggests, they insist on finding the guilty party. But their plan backfires. Colossally.

Told in Fredrik Backman’s singular witty style with sharply drawn characters and relatable antics, The Answer Is No is a laugh-out-loud portrait of a man struggling to keep to himself in a world that won’t leave him alone.

©2024 by Vecka 16 AB (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Translation © 2024 by Elizabeth DeNoma.

Love Backman, wrong narrator

I love FB. His writing is quirky and his characters are endearingly curmudgeon. The narrator is right for many books, and I like her, but anything by Backman should probably be read by someone who gets his style and doesn’t make the characters sound so shrill and annoying. I blame the director/producer. Too bad but I’ll have to read this with eyes to capture his voice.

Nice!

I enjoyed this short story way more than I expected.
The humor is great, and the story is really heartwarming. It doesn't need much to get us to understand the characters, and it doesn't feel rushed.

At some point, we've all probably been or wanted to be like Lucas—just minding our own business. We usually don't realize how our boundaries or lack thereof, can hurt or block the people who care about us, or invite inconveniences. It's all about finding that balance, plus a little reflection and self-love. Living is hard enough.

That's my take on the story. I totally recommend it, and the audiobook is awesome.

(P.S. The Board Animal is amazing—love Linda!)

Someone is probably going to be murdered

Fredrik Backman's "The Answer is No" is a short story that delves into the complexities of human connection and the desire for solitude in a bustling world. The protagonist, Lucas, is a man who cherishes his quiet existence, but his peace is shattered when a misplaced frying pan leads to a series of unexpected encounters with his nosy neighbors.

Backman's writing is witty and insightful, effortlessly capturing the absurdities of everyday life and the nuances of human behavior. The characters are endearingly flawed and relatable, each grappling with their own insecurities and longing for connection. The story explores themes of loneliness, community, and the importance of finding balance between our individual needs and our social responsibilities.

Overall, "The Answer is No" is a thought-provoking and entertaining read that resonates with anyone who has ever felt the urge to escape the chaos of the world and retreat into their own private sanctuary. Backman's ability to blend humor with poignant observations of human nature makes this a truly captivating tale.

A side note: no one can be made happy unless you read this book. Then, you'll laugh and smile.

Cute

A book written about a frying pan! lol moments! Cute story. Enjoyed listening to it. Thank you!

This author has a very unique and humorous way of looking at people

I really love the humor and the way the story says so much about people