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The Answer Is No: A Short Story

    • Based on 26,262 reviews
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Arrives Friday, Jan 10
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Description

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. Read more

Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 1, 2024


Language ‏ : ‎ English


File size ‏ : ‎ 7877 KB


Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled


Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported


Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled


X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled


Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled


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If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Friday, Jan 10

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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Wonderful Satire
This 65-page novelette is a wonderfully satiric (and insightful) read. Lucas is a perfectly content loner, having decided at one point that people are the source of most problems in the world. A frying pan left on the sidewalk in front of the building where he lives sets off a cascade of events that he can’t avoid, starting with a visit to his apartment from “the board.” The story takes a stab at the absurdity of a lot of elements of modern life—bureaucracy, social media, the internet, cultish behaviors, tribalism, and the over-dramatization of just about everything! It was hilarious. But also relatable, and that makes at least one character opt for a fake coma to get a break from it all. The writing is great. The elements of the plot are clever, and the characters are a riot. The story unfolds from Lucas’s bewildered perspective as his quiet world is rattled. It’s one of the best omniscient POV’s I’ve read in ages, where the narrator’s satiric voice provides a running commentary. A highly recommended way to spend about 90 minutes. Perfect for fans of short reads, satire, quirky characters, and lots of humor. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2024 by D. W. Peach
    • Fun, humorous, short story.
Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone story. I got this on ebook through Kindle First Reads. Thoughts: This is the first Backman story I have ever read, and I will definitely be reading more. This was an adorable little story. It is about a man Lucas who is happy because he avoids the most disruptive thing in the world, other people. When he mistakenly gets drawn into a conflict over a misplaced frying pan everything goes to crazy town. This was humorous and funny and heartfelt. I liked Lucas and his routines and his attitudes. I thought it was entertaining to watch all that get turned on its head. Yes, this was incredibly predictable and a little bit ridiculous as well. However, it was a small-time commitment, had me smiling, and was fun and easy to read. My Summary (4/5): Overall I liked this. It was entertaining, humorous, thought-provoking, and heart-felt. It is a bit predictable and goofy as well. I would recommend for those looking for a quick humorous, heartfelt read. This was my first Backman read, and I plan to read more after reading this! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2024 by Karissa Eckert
    • Delightfully quirky
Lucas just wants to be left alone. His happy introverted world is upset when his apartment board appears at his door demanding to see his frying pan. Someone has discarded a frying pan in the recycling room and they are out to find out who did it. One thing leads to another, the frying pan sparks a debris pile and Lucas continues to be accosted by the board and other people. Backman is one of my favorite authors; he is beloved by many. In true Backman fashion, there is humor, keen observations of human nature, pathos in this delightfully quirky short story. Take a break this holiday season and sit down with this quick read. Anyone who has ever lived in a condo will really appreciate it! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2024 by shereadbookblog
    • Loved the humor.
This short story was a nice change of pace from what I am used to reading. It had funny moments, sad moments, and deep moments that all stem from someone leaving a frying pan in the wrong spot. It makes fun of some aspects of modern society like bureaucracy, soft language, and cults but also reflects on happiness and love. I would recommend reading it and I think it's worth the price. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2024 by RRR
    • Must Read.
I own several Fredrik Backman books, but haven't actually read any of them. I trust the people who recommend his books and know I will get to them eventually. I got this one as an Amazon First Read, and this was my introduction to Backman and I am smitten. The writing is superb. Lucas is happy. Lucas prefers to be alone, play his video games, drink wine and eat paid thai. His life is simple and uncomplicated and he prefers it. Other people are a complication, one he prefers to avoid. His life remains simple and easy until his doorbell rings one day. Things get out of control because of a frying pan, you see. This book makes SO many statements about our world today; statements you can and should absorb in your own way. This book is funny, clever, highly relevant, and will sit with you for a long time. I cannot wait to read more Backman! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2024 by Julie D Kelley
    • A Modern Tale with Layers of Meaning
A quick but laugh out loud and moving modern tale of human disconnection and connection. Love Backman’s quirky story telling approach and the way we builds characters and layers of meaning within this short story format.
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2024 by Chris L Porter
    • Fantastic Find
I recently read a novella from one of my favorite authors, which led to Kindle suggesting this amazing gem! Beautiful, inspirational, humorous, heartbreaking, at times I cried, this was incredibly moving! A poignant story about growth, change, being open to new perspectives and staying true to oneself. In the end, we are all responsible for our own happiness. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2024 by Kindle Customer 67
    • for a smile…and a break!
Sit down, grab a latte, and start turning the pages! This book will make you smile, pause, reflect, consider, laugh, and repeat! Enjoy the humor, the summary of human antics, and, the circle of behavior! Great book for a quick read!
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2024 by Amazon Customer

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