Short Story Sunday: The Answer Is No

Short Story Sunday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Read a short story.
• Share your review/recommendation below.
• Include the title and author.

"If you imagine how you would spend a free evening, not an evening where you've planned things out but an evening in which all your plans have suddenly been canceled, and now you find yourself in your comfiest pants in a warm, cozy apartment, thinking: So...I can do whatever I want all night? That's Lucas's entire life." ~ pg. 5

The Answer is No is a new short story by New York Times bestselling author Fredrik Backman. It will make you laugh and smile reading about a man who prefers solitude in a world that won't leave him alone. And it's all because of a frying pan.

Lucas prefers nights of video games, wine and pad thai (with peanuts, of course)...alone. But when the apartment board rings his doorbell demanding to see his frying pan, his solitary world spins comically out of control. It is a hilarious absurd domino effect.

"I usually keep my peanuts next to a jar of peanut butter, so they understand what I'm capable of." ~ pg. 26

Backman's signature witty writing style and development of unforgettable characters is sharp in The Answer is No. It is a good introduction to this author if you've never read his bestseller novels or a nice holiday treat if you're already a fan. 

This Amazon Original short story is great for reading-on-the-go. Read while standing in line, waiting in a lobby or quick break from holiday shopping. Better yet, I recommend that you step away from your busy workday, find a quiet hidden spot and read this short story. It will give the break you so need! And if anyone dares to interrupt, the answer is no!

Happy Pub Day, Fredrik Backman! The Answer is No is available now.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins.

Title: The Answer is No

Author: Fredrik Backman
Published: December 2024
Pages: 68

Edition: Galley

Genre: Humor

Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤