The Answer Is No by Fredrik Backman: Review

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️

My first book of 2026 is in the books!

I’ve been a fan of Fredrik Backman since 2020 when I read Anxious People. It was hilarious, full of heart, and I enjoyed it immensely. I later read A Man Called Ove and loved that too. While his other heavy hitters like Beartown and The Winners are sitting on my ever-growing TBR list, I needed something short and sweet for a recent flight.

I stumbled upon The Answer Is No on Audible Plus. It was free and under two hours—the perfect length for a flight. And honestly? It delivered exactly what I expect from Backman: humor and heart.

The story follows Lucas, a guy who effectively wants to resign from "peopling." He works remotely, never leaves his apartment, and has three simple goals: play video games, drink wine, and eat Pad Thai. But his solitude is interrupted by a three-member condo board (one of whom has a hilarious and alarming affinity for violence), a woman in a purple dress stealing his Wi-Fi who somehow makes him popular, and a woman in a green shirt pretending to be in a coma just to get some "me time."

As a dad to a one-year-old who loves his video games and values his own "me time," I found Lucas’s plight incredibly relatable. It’s a chaotic spiral, but watching how the situation changes him was satisfying. He finds a way to build small, meaningful connections without giving up his solitude entirely.

If you’re looking for a quick, funny listen that hits home, give this one a shot.