In The Answer Is No, Fredrik Backman presents a hilarious and relatable story about Lucas, a man who thrives on his solitary routine: video games, wine, pad thai, and a strict no-interaction policy. His quiet life takes an unexpected turn when the apartment board, a trio of meddling authorities, demands to inspect his frying pan. The frying pan was found near the recycling room, and instead of simply removing it, the board insists on finding the guilty party. What ensues is a comedy of errors as Lucas’s attempts to keep his life uninterrupted are hilariously foiled by this absurd situation. Through Backman’s witty writing, The Answer Is No portrays the challenges of maintaining solitude in a world that won’t leave you alone, capturing the chaos that can result from the smallest of misunderstandings. The story is a funny and poignant exploration of the frustrations and absurdities of modern life.
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories (December 1, 2024); Pages: 68 pages; ASIN: B0D5JLH3RJ
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Author biography Fredrik Backman is a Swedish author, best known for his bestselling novels A Man Called Ove, Beartown, and Anxious People. His works have been translated into over forty languages. He has also written nonfiction and novellas. Backman lives in Stockholm with his family. Instagram @backmansk
Summary: In The Answer Is No, Fredrik Backman humorously portrays Lucas, a man who loves his solitude until an apartment board’s absurd demand for his frying pan upends his peaceful life.