Severance: A Novel

In Ling Ma’s offbeat, wryly funny, apocalyptic satire, Severance, Candace Chen, a millennial office drone and first-generation American, finds herself navigating her way into adulthood amidst the end of the world. Perhaps it truly is the end of days, but not for Candace.

“Severance” has been described as a “stunning, audacious book with a fresh take on both office politics and what the apocalypse might bring” by Michael Schaub of NPR.org. Estelle Tang of Elle compares it to a satirical blend of “The Office” and “The Leftovers”.

The novel has received several accolades, being named a best book of the year by NPR, The New Yorker, Elle, Marie Claire, and various other publications. It has also won prestigious awards such as the NYPL Young Lions Fiction Award and the Kirkus Prize for Fiction.

Candace, who is sequestered in a Manhattan office tower, has found solace in routine following the loss of her Chinese immigrant parents. However, when a deadly fever known as Shen Fever ravages New York City, Candace’s world is turned upside down. As the city descends into chaos and she finds herself alone, Candace must decide whether to trust a group of survivors led by the manipulative IT tech, Bob.

Severance is not just a satirical take on the end times, but a poignant exploration of family, coming-of-age, and the human connections that drive us. Ling Ma’s novel is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.

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