Severance by Ling Ma
This novel is a satirical take on the post-apocalyptic genre, blending elements of horror, humor, and social commentary. It tells the story of Candace Chen, a millennial office drone in New York City, who finds herself one of the few survivors of a global pandemic known as Shen Fever. The disease turns its victims into repetitive, predictable creatures stuck in loops of their former routines. As society crumbles around her, Candace joins a group of survivors led by the enigmatic Bob, embarking on a journey to find a new sanctuary. Through Candace's eyes, the narrative explores themes of nostalgia, capitalism, and the search for meaning in a pre- and post-apocalyptic world, all while questioning what it truly means to be alive in a world that's slowly fading away.
The 2735th greatest book of all time
- Published
- 2018
- Nationality
- American
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 291
- Original Language
- English
- Avg User Rating
-
(3.9)
- Alternate Titles
- None
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This book is on the following 8 lists:
- 881st on Our Users' Honorable Mention Favorite Books of All Time (The Greatest Books Users)
- 100 Notable Books of 2018 (New York Times)
- Best Fiction Books of the 21st Century (So Far) (Kirkus Reviews)
- Ezra Klein Show's Most Recommended Books (Ezra Klein Show)
- Honi’s 100 Best Books of the 21st century (Honi Soit)
- The 24 Best Books of the Decade (BuzzFeed)
- The Great American Novels (The Atlantic)
- What the New York Times Missed: 71 More of the Best Books of the 21st Century (Lit Hub)