Fly your book-nerd flag high! Get your book-nerd T-Shirts and more here!

The Answer is No: A Hilarious Slice of Absurdity

Fredrik Backman is one of the best, and many of his characters are among the most memorable I’ve ever read. “The Answer is No” might be a short story, but it’s still full of all the things I love about a Fredrik Backman book! It’s a silly, laugh-out-loud funny tale that I honestly could have kept reading for a couple hundred more pages.

About:

Lucas just wants three things in life: video games, wine, and pad thai (with peanuts—because who doesn’t?). People? Not so much. He’s perfectly content in his solitary routine. He works from home. Has his food delivered. His life is bliss—until his peaceful existence is hilariously disrupted when the (joyfully stereotypical) apartment board—and their self-appointed authority and importance—comes knocking. Their mission? To investigate a rogue frying pan left in the recycling room. What follows is a series of escalating absurdities as Lucas’s world spins wildly out of control.

Review:

I loved every minute of this short story! Backman’s writing style is, as always, fantastic, and his quirky characters are a delight. “The Answer is No” made me laugh out loud at the simple situations blown to ridiculous proportions. Backman has a gift for capturing the essence of humanity, and this story is a wonderful reminder of what HAPPY truly means. As the book suggests, sometimes, the best answer really is “no.”

The characters are caricatures in the best possible way. I especially enjoyed how Lucas identifies everyone by their clothing colors. The antics of the board members and the other residents have that classic comedy feel, reminiscent of old sketches like Abbott and Costello’s “Who’s on First.” This short story was the perfect palate cleanser, and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs a good laugh.

Sensitive Content:

Nothing to be concerned about, except that it’s a book for adults, about adults. I don’t know that younger readers would find anything amusing in this one.

Should you read it?

If you’re looking for a quick, funny, and heartwarming read, the answer is…YES! It’s a delightful escape into the absurdities of modern life, told with Backman’s signature wit and charm. This dad says “The Answer is No” is best for 16 and up.

Happy Reading!