The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman | Book Review by Ronit J

[Review] The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman | A Tale Of Someone Who Loves To Be Alone

The Answer is No is a 2024 short story by Fredrik Backman that tells the story of Lucas, a simple man with simple likes and simple needs who loves his solitude. But, you can’t live your whole life without interacting with society, can you?

The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman Synopsis

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.

The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman Review

Fredrik Backman is one of those amazing writers of contemporary fiction who has a deep understanding of humanity, and almost always presents it in the literary equivalent of a warm cozy hug. The Answer is No is no exception.

I’ll start off by saying, I also love my solitude. Between socialising over the weekend and reading or playing video games at home, I will almost always choose the latter. Naturally, I felt an instant connection with Lucas. But, is that reason enough to like this story?

What I liked about The Answer is No:

It’s easy to make Lucas seem like a loner and a curmudgeon, but not when Backman is the storyteller. He makes Lucas as human as every other character in his works. A simple man with simple needs who just wants to be left alone. And this one simple desire is all that drives Lucas forward. So much so, that every action he takes to be left alone results in a hilarious series of drama and misadventures that not only show a relevant change in human society today, but does so with empathy.

Lucas has echoes of Backman’s Ove. Almost as if Lucas were a younger Ove in the modern day. Or a distant relative. Either way, I’m only pointing it out because the character reminded me of Ove. Lucas might not feel as deep or developed, but that’s kinda expected in this shorter format. Regardless, Lucas’ singular quirk is all Backman needs to snowball his plot. The secondary characters also feel like templates for maximum conflict, yet somehow feel almost real and relatable. The group of residents in that apartment complex that Lucas begrudgingly befriends was a fine example of the unlikely friendships trope. Even those who Lucas doesn’t really consider friends.

No one is malicious or cruel in this world. Everyone is just trying to live their lives in the least-conflict-ridden way. Except, when problems arise, these people have to come together to solve them. Even Lucas. In fact, all this eventually rewards Lucas with what he really wants—time alone. While the conflicts are a little bizarre, they reflect something inherently human, as do the resolutions. With that in mind, it’s best to enter this book with zero expectations. If you’ve never read anything by Backman, even better.

What I didn’t like:

I don’t think there’s anything in particular that I didn’t like about the story. Maybe I expected more. As a Backman story, it was everything I expected, yet something felt missing.

To be fair, it reads more like a novella and less like a short story. It’s a great read that you can finish in a single sitting. But, don’t expect the brilliance of “A Man Called Ove” or “Anxious People”.

Conclusion:

The Answer is No is a brilliant read. And it’s available on Kindle Unlimited. A sweet, heart-warming tale of someone who loves his solitude, Backman’s short is the perfect bite-sized fiction for when you just want to sit back and relax. The short story version of a warm hug, this one is an absolute must-read!

My Rating: ★★★★

Also Read:

Let me know what you think about this review in the comments below.

Subscribe to my newsletter, and grab a free copy of Abandoned by the Gods! Until next time!

ronitjauthor