Who Wrote 'Severance' And When Was It Published?

2025-06-27 04:13:52 211

3 Answers

Valerie
Valerie
2025-06-28 06:15:31
I stumbled upon 'Severance' while browsing dystopian fiction and was immediately hooked. The novel was written by Ling Ma, an author who masterfully blends dark humor with apocalyptic themes. It hit shelves in August 2018, right when people were starting to obsess over pandemic scenarios—uncanny timing. Ma’s background in writing and editing shines through her crisp prose and satirical take on office culture. The book stands out because it doesn’t just focus on survival; it digs into nostalgia and the absurdity of routine. If you enjoy workplace satire with a zombie-esque twist, this is your jam. For similar vibes, check out 'Station Eleven'—it’s less corporate but equally haunting.
Theo
Theo
2025-06-29 19:56:56
Ling Ma’s 'Severance' (2018) was a standout. Ma, who previously worked in journalism and publishing, crafts a world where a fungal pandemic turns people into mindless repeaters of their old routines—a metaphor for how we’re all stuck in our own loops. The book’s strength lies in its quiet observations. Candace, the main character, isn’t a hero; she’s just trying to make sense of loss while navigating a dead-end job. Ma’s prose is sharp, especially when describing the eerie familiarity of empty cities.

What’s cool is how she blends genres. It’s part horror, part office satire, part coming-of-age story. The pacing feels deliberate, like the slow creep of infection. For readers who prefer character-driven apocalypses over action-packed ones, this is gold. If you liked 'Severance,' 'Leave the World Behind' might appeal—it’s less about viruses, more about paranoia, but equally unsettling.
Kendrick
Kendrick
2025-07-01 15:56:54
Ling Ma’s 'Severance' is a brilliant piece of speculative fiction that dropped in 2018, right before the world went crazy with real-life pandemic fears. What makes Ma special isn’t just her timing—it’s how she layers her story. She’s a Chinese-American writer with a knack for dissecting immigrant experiences and millennial ennui, all while zombies (sort of) roam New York. The book’s protagonist, Candace, works in Bible production (yes, really) before society collapses, and Ma uses this setup to skewer capitalism and the grind culture.

Her writing style is deceptive—simple sentences that pack existential dread. The novel’s structure jumps between past and present, showing how memories trap us as much as viruses do. It’s not just about survival; it’s about what we cling to when everything falls apart. If you dig this, try 'The New Wilderness' for another take on societal breakdown. Ma’s work sticks with you because it’s funny, tragic, and way too relatable.
View All Answers
Scan code to download App

Related Books

Until I Wrote Him
Until I Wrote Him
New York’s youngest bestselling author at just 19, India Seethal has taken the literary world by storm. Now 26, with countless awards and a spot among the highest-paid writers on top storytelling platforms, it seems like she has it all. But behind the fame and fierce heroines she pens, lies a woman too shy to chase her own happy ending. She writes steamy, swoon-worthy romances but has never lived one. She crafts perfect, flowing conversations for her characters but stumbles awkwardly through her own. She creates bold women who fight for what they want yet she’s never had the courage to do the same. Until she met him. One wild night. One reckless choice. In the backseat of a stranger’s car, India lets go for the first time in her life. Roman Alkali is danger wrapped in desire. He’s her undoing. The man determined to tear down her walls and awaken the fire she's buried for years. Her mind says stay away. Her body? It craves him. Now, India is caught between the rules she’s always lived by and the temptation of a man who makes her want to rewrite her story. She finds herself being drawn to him like a moth to a flame and fate manages to make them cross paths again. Will she follow her heart or let fear keep writing her life’s script?
10
46 Chapters
Her Life He Wrote
Her Life He Wrote
[Written in English] Six Packs Series #1: Kagan Lombardi Just a blink to her reality, she finds it hard to believe. Dalshanta Ferrucci, a notorious gang leader, develops a strong feeling for a playboy who belongs to one of the hotties of Six Packs. However, her arrogance and hysteric summons the most attractive saint, Kagan Lombardi. (c) Copyright 2022 by Gian Garcia
Not enough ratings
5 Chapters
Fate Wrote His Name
Fate Wrote His Name
For centuries, I have watched humans from the skies, nothing more than a shadow in their nightmares. To them, I was a beast—a monster to be slain, a creature incapable of love. And for the longest time, I believed they were right. Then, I met him. Fred. A human who was fearless enough to defy me, stubborn enough to challenge me, and foolish enough to see something in me that no one else ever had. At first, I despised his presence. He was a reminder of everything I could never have, of the world that would never accept me. But the more I watched him, the more I found myself drawn to him. His fire rivaled my own, his determination matched my strength, and before I knew it, I was craving something I had never dared to desire. Him. But love between a dragon and a human is forbidden. When war threatens to tear his kingdom apart, Fred is forced to stand against me. And I… I am left with a choice that should be easy for a dragon like me. Do I burn his world to the ground? Or do I give up everything I am, just to stand beside him?
Not enough ratings
19 Chapters
She Rewrote the Script
She Rewrote the Script
The Garcia family's notorious illegitimate son — violent, obsessive, and dangerously unstable — had sent out a public marriage summons. One of us, my sister or I, was to become his bride. My father, with his career in ruins and his influence dwindling, had no choice but to agree. In desperation, I begged my boyfriend Eric Jordan to return home and make our engagement official. He did rush back, travel-worn and anxious — but only to ask for my sister's hand in marriage. Shattered, I demanded to know why. Eric frowned, his voice icy. "You're just a foster daughter of the Lynch family. You've eaten their food, lived under their roof for years. And if it weren't for Willa, you would've frozen to death on the street. Now's your chance to repay her. Don't be ungrateful." I refused to stay silent. He shoved me aside in frustration. "I told you — Willa and I are only pretending. Once she's out of danger and that lunatic forgets about the proposal, we'll divorce. I'll come back for you. However, stop embarrassing yourself like this — it's pathetic." What Eric did not know was… Willa Lynch escaped the marriage. However, I did not. Later, on the day of the wedding, as the bridal car passed the Jordan family estate, I looked out the window — and locked eyes with Eric. His face turned pale as a sheet.
8 Chapters
THE ALPHA KING'S CLAIM
THE ALPHA KING'S CLAIM
"Love me or hate me, either way I'm already on your mind. I win. You lose."***As the Alpha King of all werewolves and lycans, Aero needed to be fair to all. He ruled with an iron fist, a steady head and a balanced emotion. He was perfect in everything except for one. He had issues with the opposite sex. Since a child, he hated women. He never liked them and always avoided them. However, what if a woman suddenly materialized on his bed just as he was about to sleep? How could he avoid her then?***Genre: Werewolf Romance, Fantasy, Mystery, Adventure***Status: Complete***All Rights Reserved***JMFelic Books 2020***Official Published Book Cover
9.8
152 Chapters
One Weekend with the Billionaire
One Weekend with the Billionaire
“When done properly, this position can be most satisfying for a woman because it allows deep penetration." I open my mouth to respond, but all that comes out is a staggered breath and a small sigh. He chuckles, a low, rough rumble and then leans down and kisses the middle of my back. I feel the tip of him again at my entryway. He pushes in slightly, and my body comes to life again. My muscles react to his presence, contracting and loosening, as if my body is trying to suck him deep inside. He's my husband's boss, so this is supposed to be wrong. So why does it feel so right? *** Braxton Merriweather always gets what he wants. Now, he wants her--Julia Thompson, the wife of one of his workers. From the moment he first laid eyes on her, he knew he had to possess her in every way. When Jeff Thompson takes him up on the bargain he proposes, Braxton is shocked. He's even more surprised when Mrs. Thompson agrees. But now that he's had a taste of her, he wants more. How can he possess a woman who's already married to someone else? Julia feels trapped by her marriage to her high school sweetheart. In the two years since they've been married, he's changed, and not for the better. When billionaire Braxton Merriweather shows interest in her, she's flattered. And intrigued. Is it possible that one of the richest men in the world could really want her? And if so... what does she do about her husband? One Weekend with the Billionaire is a sexy story for mature readers. Previously published on some platforms as the award winning novel The Billionaire CEO's Bargain.
9.6
94 Chapters

Related Questions

What Is The Symbolism In 'Severance'?

3 Answers2025-06-24 14:45:15
The symbolism in 'Severance' cuts deep, reflecting our modern work-life dystopia. The severed workers literally split their memories between office and personal life, representing how capitalism fractures human identity. The sterile office environment symbolizes corporate dehumanization—workers become cogs without pasts or futures. The perpetually blank hallways mirror the soul-crushing monotony of routine labor. Even the name 'Lumon' sounds like 'lumen' (light), ironic since employees live in psychological darkness. The symbolism extends to their tasks—meaningless data sorting represents how modern jobs often feel purposeless despite consuming our lives. The breakout attempts symbolize the human spirit fighting systemic oppression, while the outside world remains mysteriously ominous, suggesting no escape is truly possible from societal structures.

Is 'Severance' A Dystopian Novel?

3 Answers2025-06-27 08:22:02
I just finished 'Severance' last week, and yeah, it's absolutely a dystopian novel, but with a twist that makes it feel fresh. The story follows office workers who undergo a surgical procedure to split their memories between work and personal life, creating two separate consciousnesses. The corporate control is terrifyingly subtle—no overt oppression, just a slow erosion of identity masked as convenience. The world-building shows a society where capitalism has won so completely that people volunteer to mutilate their own minds for career advancement. What makes it stand out from classics like '1984' is how mundane the horror feels. The protagonist's gradual realization that her 'work self' is becoming a different person is way more chilling than any dystopian trope about overt government control.

Does 'Severance' Have A TV Adaptation?

3 Answers2025-06-27 03:05:12
Yes, 'Severance' has a TV adaptation, and it's one of the most mind-bending shows out there. The series takes the original concept and cranks it up to eleven, exploring the eerie corporate dystopia where employees' memories are split between work and personal life. The visuals are stark and unsettling, perfectly matching the tone of the story. If you loved the book's psychological depth, the show adds even more layers with its stellar cast and atmospheric direction. It’s not just a faithful adaptation—it elevates the material. For anyone into dark, thought-provoking sci-fi, this is a must-watch. The pacing is deliberate, but every episode leaves you craving more.

How Does 'Severance' Critique Corporate Culture?

3 Answers2025-06-27 22:09:29
I've watched 'Severance' multiple times, and its critique of corporate culture is razor-sharp. The show exposes how companies dehumanize employees by splitting their identities—work selves devoid of personal lives. The Lumon Industries setting feels like a dystopian office where compliance is enforced through psychological manipulation. The 'innies' don’t even know their 'outies,' creating a chilling metaphor for how jobs erase individuality. The breakroom’s forced apologies mirror real corporate gaslighting, where dissent is punished under the guise of 'self-improvement.' Even the perks—like waffle parties—are twisted rewards for obedience, highlighting how corporations dangle meaningless incentives to control workers. The show’s brilliance lies in making the mundane—like filing or spreadsheets—feel terrifyingly oppressive.

How Does 'Severance' Explore Memory And Identity?

3 Answers2025-06-27 06:56:00
The show 'Severance' dives deep into the chilling concept of memory separation through its corporate dystopia. Lumon Industries' severance procedure surgically splits employees' memories between work and personal life, creating two distinct identities in one body. The work self (Innie) has no recollection of outside life, while the outside self (Outie) remains oblivious to workplace horrors. This creates terrifying existential questions - if you can't remember experiences, do they shape who you are? The series shows how the Innies develop unique personalities despite having no past, suggesting identity forms through present experiences. The frightening part is how easily corporate control can fragment human consciousness when memories become compartmentalized like files in a drawer.
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status