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Severance

By Ling Ma
3.89 goodreads logo

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( 125,686 ratings, 18,802 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Severance by Ling Ma explores a dystopian world where a mysterious pandemic called Shen Fever spreads, turning people into mindless automatons who repeat mundane routines. The story follows Candace Chen, an office worker in New York City, who navigates the collapse of society while reflecting on her life and attempting to survive. Blending satire with a poignant narrative, the novel examines themes of work, identity, and societal norms.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You may enjoy this book if you're drawn to stories that blend humour and satire with a touch of dystopian reality. It offers a unique exploration of themes like consumerism and cultural identity, set against the backdrop of a pandemic that challenges the boundaries between routine and chaos. If you appreciate narratives with a mix of dark wit and incisive commentary on modern life, this book might be a captivating read for you.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

An original, sharp and funny literary debut that explores themes of belonging, alienation, late-capitalism, overconsumption and the immigrant experience.

Maybe it's the end of the world, but not for Candace Chen, a millennial, first-generation American and office drone meandering her way into adulthood in Ling Ma's offbeat, wryly funny, apocalyptic satire, Severance.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Maybe it's the end of the world, but not for Candace Chen, a millennial, first-generation American and office drone meandering her way into adulthood in Ling Ma's offbeat, wryly funny, apocalyptic satire, Severance.

Candace Chen, a millennial drone self-sequestered in a Manhattan office tower, is devoted to routine—her work, watching movies with her boyfriend, avoiding thoughts of her recently deceased Chinese immigrant parents. So she barely notices when a plague of biblical proportions sweeps the world.

Candace joins a small group of survivors, led by the power-hungry Bob, on their way to the Facility, where, Bob promises, they will have everything they need to start society anew. But Candace is carrying a secret she knows Bob will exploit. Should she escape from her rescuers?

A send-up and takedown of the rituals, routines and missed opportunities of contemporary life, Severance is a moving family story, a deadpan satire and a heartfelt tribute to the connections that drive us to do more than survive.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Severance by Ling Ma has garnered widespread acclaim for its witty and terrifying depiction of apocalyptic events with a unique blend of humour and horror. Critics praise the novel's critique of late capitalism, millennial malaise, and consumer culture, highlighting Ma's ability to combine a workplace narrative with a haunting post-apocalyptic tale. The prose is lauded for its precision and emotional impact, as it navigates themes of immigration, identity, and societal habits, making it both a compelling and thought-provoking read.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781925773279

Publisher: Text Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 September 2018

Country: Australia

Imprint: The Text Publishing Company

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 235.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 304

About the Author

Ling Ma's writing has appeared in Granta, Playboy, Chicago Reader, Ninth Letter, Time Out, ACM and elsewhere. A chapter of Severance received the 2015 Graywolf SLS Prize. She lives in Chicago.

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    Maybe it's the end of the world, but not for Candace Chen, a millennial, first-generation American and office drone meandering her way into adulthood in Ling Ma's offbeat, wryly funny, apocalyptic satire, Severance. "A stunning, audacious book with a fresh take on both office politics and what the apocalypse might bring." -- Michael Schaub, NPR.org "A satirical spin on the...
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