What is the reading level of "The Answer"?

The Answer is suitable for intermediate readers.

How long does it take to read "The Answer"?

The estimated reading time is approximately 2 hours.

The Answer

Name: The Answer
Author: Emil Petaja

Written by Emil Petaja

Not rated yet — tap a star to review it

Short stories Dreams

Chaptra reads alongside you — AI insights, chapter breakdowns and reader discussions for every book. Join free

About this book

"The Answer" by Emil Petaja is a psychological horror story written in the early 1950s. This dark tale explores themes of obsession, guilt, and the haunting nature of unresolved emotions, particularly as they pertain to love and loss. The narrative centers on John Reeve, a man tormented by recurring dreams that blend his past relationship with his wife, Lisa, and a sense of impending doom. In the story, John Reeve frequently finds himself in a dream where he strangles his wife, Lisa, followed by the persistent ringing of a telephone that he feels compelled to answer. The dream sequence highlights his deep inner conflict and unresolved feelings about their turbulent relationship, filled with jealousy and abandonment. As the plot unfolds, John grapples with the consequences of Lisa's sudden departure from his life, leading him to engage in these violent fantasies. In a climactic moment, he finally answers the ringing phone in his dream, only to be met with a sinister revelation when the voice on the other end identifies itself as "Satan." This twist leaves readers contemplating the themes of guilt and the darker aspects of human desire.

Read it with a club

Chaptra's fiction clubs — small groups reading the same books and talking as they go.

All clubs

CraxMe Readers Book Club

Fiction

385 members
227 discussions
Started December 2025

Welcome to the Readers Book Club. This is an informal group for like-minded people, where you can discuss books, share and recommend, track your reading progress, and lots more. Discuss Books — all about books. Discuss a particular book or genre, share your favourite quotes. Book Reviews — loved a book and highly recommend it? Or was it just average? Share your review and discuss with fellow readers. (May contain spoilers.) Group Reads — what is a book club without a group read! Buddy Reads — planning to read a book and looking for someone to read it with? Post in the Buddy Read request thread, find a reading buddy, and start discussing.

Read The Answer alongside people who are reading it too.

Open the club

Also here: Doorstops, First Lines Club

Chaptra Prime — paid clubs, every club feature, and unlimited reading support, for $5 a month or $60 once.

See Prime

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The Answer, written by Chaptra AI.

about 2 hours
intermediate
dark
mysterious
haunting

Emil Petaja's "The Answer" is a chilling psychological horror story from the early 1950s, delving into the tormented psyche of John Reeve. Plagued by recurring dreams where he strangles his estranged wife, Lisa, and is then haunted by a persistent ringing telephone, John's waking life is consumed by guilt and unresolved emotions stemming from their turbulent relationship and her sudden disappearance. The narrative masterfully blurs the lines between reality and nightmare, exploring the depths of obsession and the corrosive power of unaddressed emotional turmoil. The story culminates in a sinister twist as John finally answers the dream-phone, only to be met with the voice of "Satan," leaving readers to ponder the true source of his torment and the darker corners of the human soul.

“The telephone's ring was a hammer blow against the walls of my skull, a summons I could neither ignore nor escape.”

Key themes

Guilt: Guilt is arguably the most potent theme in the story, driving John Reeve's torment. His violent dream actions and the subsequent phone call are direct manifestations of his profound guilt over his past behavior towards Lisa and his feelings surrounding her disappearance. This guilt is not merely a fleeting emotion but a pervasive, self-punishing force that dictates his mental state.
Obsession: The theme of obsession is central to "The Answer," manifesting in John Reeve's relentless fixation on his past relationship with Lisa and the recurring nightmare. His inability to move past Lisa's departure and the turbulent nature of their love consumes his thoughts and dreams, blurring the lines between memory and hallucination. This obsession fuels his guilt and prevents any form of psychological peace.
Unresolved Emotions (Love & Loss): The story profoundly explores the haunting nature of unresolved emotions, particularly those tied to a turbulent love and subsequent loss. John Reeve's inability to process the complexities of his relationship with Lisa, marked by jealousy and abandonment, leaves him in a state of perpetual emotional limbo. Her sudden departure exacerbates these feelings, transforming them into a source of psychological torment.

Worth discussing

How does the recurring dream sequence function as a literary device to explore John Reeve's internal conflict?

Chapter-by-chapter breakdowns, character arcs and the full thematic analysis come with a free account.

Discussions

No one has started one yet

Join to discussJoin

Questions this book opens up

No discussions yet

Be the first to start a discussion about this book!

Reviews

No reviews yet

Be the first to review this book!