The Answer Is No Audiobook By Fredrik Backman, Elizabeth DeNoma - translator cover art

The Answer Is No

A Short Story

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The Answer Is No

By: Fredrik Backman, Elizabeth DeNoma - translator
Narrated by: Stacy Gonzalez
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About this listen

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.

©2024 by Vecka 16 AB (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Translation © 2024 by Elizabeth DeNoma.
City Life Satire Urban Funny Witty
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What listeners say about The Answer Is No

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Narrator doesn’t get Backman’s satire or rhythm

I read the short story on Amazon and loved it. I have listened to all of his other books and I couldn’t even make it 10 minutes with this reader. She was over the top and made the main character seem like an *#%hole rather than the humorous curmudgeons Blackman fans adore. The story had me laughing out loud 2-3x a page. This reader butchered it. It only took me about 30 minutes to read it. My recommendation is to read it instead of listening to it.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The story of a simple person just trying to do his own thing

Good, quick, funny book about humanity and how some folks just want to be left alone. Sometimes simplicity is best. Fun read. Lighthearted.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Lust love this writer!

This is a cute little story about a cute little apartment building. Backman at character and irony.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding!

One of my favorite authors! I loved this short story so much! The characters were fantastic 😊

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Never better!

How can Backman write so beautifully no matter the subject matter? Once again I loved every word!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Intelligent fun

The funniest two hours I’ve spent with a book. Would gladly spend more time with these characters.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

The narrator was so annoying.

I love this author!!! The narrators voice was so annoying that I could barely finish it. She either performed in a shaky voice or a high pitched voice that was so irritating.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Uplifting message

The humor is different but still funny. Short stories aren’t my normal style but I truly enjoyed this one and the message was perfect.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Funny, Silly, Outlandish Situational Comedy 🤣

Slow going at first but once it’s going it’s great story . I listened to the entire book in one sitting. This characters outlandish behavior was written I'm sure just make you shake your head in disbelief. It’s truly a great story about an interesting guy who just wants to be by him self . Feeling this way quite a bit in life I can relate. But the story has a great plot twist that begins with a skillet . Must listen for the steal price of 1.33 who can go wrong. I paid more for books that are so terrible and book is truly cute and clean read .

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Love Backman, wrong narrator

I love FB. His writing is quirky and his characters are endearingly curmudgeon. The narrator is right for many books, and I like her, but anything by Backman should probably be read by someone who gets his style and doesn’t make the characters sound so shrill and annoying. I blame the director/producer. Too bad but I’ll have to read this with eyes to capture his voice.

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