The Answer Is No by Fredrik Backman [Book Review]

Fredrik Backman’s The Answer Is No is a hilariously heartfelt short story about one man’s quest for solitude amid life’s chaos. Read my review!

Fredrik Backman strikes again with a short story that’s equal parts hilarious and heartfelt. The Answer Is No is an absurd yet deeply relatable exploration of modern life’s balancing act: craving solitude while being pulled into the chaos of human connection. True to Backman’s signature style, this story will test your patience, make you laugh aloud, and ultimately wrap you in warm, fuzzy feelings. Learn more about the short story, and then check out my five-star review!

What is the book about?

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. [Goodreads]

My thoughts

At the heart of The Answer Is No is Lucas, a guy who just wants to zone out with his video game. But life has other plans, and Lucas can’t seem to escape the interruptions. It all begins with a random frying pan on the sidewalk—yep, you read that right—and quickly spirals into a series of increasingly ridiculous encounters. As Lucas’ frustrations mount, so does his struggle to find peace in a world that refuses to give him space.

What makes The Answer Is No so brilliant is how Backman takes this wildly absurd premise and spins it into a poignant commentary on today’s relentless pace of life. The story captures that universal tug-of-war: the need to recharge in solitude versus the undeniable importance of human connection. It’s a theme we all struggle with, and Backman tackles it with his trademark humor and heart.

I found myself laughing at Lucas’s plight because, let’s face it, we’ve all been there—when the universe just won’t leave us alone. But I also felt for him. Backman has a way of making you feel every emotion his characters experience, and Lucas’ journey hits close to home. By the end, I was rooting for him and reflecting on my own balance between “me time” and the people who make my life richer.

This story felt personal, as if Backman had written it just for me. It’s the kind of tale that resonates deeply, especially in today’s world, where the pressures of life seem never-ending. If you’re a fan of Backman’s work, you’ll adore this short story. And if you’re new to his writing, this is a perfect introduction to his unique blend of wit and warmth.

I’m already pushing The Answer Is No on everyone I know because it’s exactly what we all need right now—a laugh, a moment to reflect, and maybe even a little hope.

Come be my friend on Goodreads!

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