potatq's review against another edition
4.0
Extremely relatable in the saddest way possible? Just finished this book currently at 7am with no sleep yet. I have so many thoughts going all at once that I cannot put it into words. I feel so weirdly empty and suffocated in my reality after reading this book.
There was no particularly heart-wrenching scenes but it felt sad all the same with its analysis of capitalism and the monotony of everday “adult” life. It is sad in a way that forces you to take a look and critique the way we live - how much we consume, how much of our happiness is based on material things and our ability to be “productive”. I saw from one review here saying that we are already zombies in a way. All churning the wheels of capitalism, playing our parts. We cannot escape it. We are a part of the system, trapped in our daily routines to make end’s meet whether we like it or not. To quote the book, “Money is freedom”.
Ending fell short for me because I was expecting something that wouldn’t leave me feeling this hollowness and questioning my existence. Some inspiration. The author could have explored deeper on the themes present in the book.
P.S. I think this book just triggered another existential crisis.
There was no particularly heart-wrenching scenes but it felt sad all the same with its analysis of capitalism and the monotony of everday “adult” life. It is sad in a way that forces you to take a look and critique the way we live - how much we consume, how much of our happiness is based on material things and our ability to be “productive”. I saw from one review here saying that we are already zombies in a way. All churning the wheels of capitalism, playing our parts. We cannot escape it. We are a part of the system, trapped in our daily routines to make end’s meet whether we like it or not. To quote the book, “Money is freedom”.
Ending fell short for me because I was expecting something that wouldn’t leave me feeling this hollowness and questioning my existence. Some inspiration. The author could have explored deeper on the themes present in the book.
P.S. I think this book just triggered another existential crisis.
cnxnoname's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the post-apocalyptic nature of Severance. Ling Ma presents a unique feeling on the struggle of working as a young woman and what it means to continue to live despite all the madness ensuing around you. It was weird.
This also felt a TINY TINY bit Annihilationy; the fever, the desolation, people still working in a group, the person who you're in love with, not knowing what happened to them. It was interesting, but the writing was also not awe-inspiring or anything. I could see this book taking shape as an indie film and I'd go to the theatre to see it.
The ending was kind of wack but it also felt very Children of Men so I'm not mad at it.
This also felt a TINY TINY bit Annihilationy; the fever, the desolation, people still working in a group, the person who you're in love with, not knowing what happened to them. It was interesting, but the writing was also not awe-inspiring or anything. I could see this book taking shape as an indie film and I'd go to the theatre to see it.
The ending was kind of wack but it also felt very Children of Men so I'm not mad at it.
betweenbookends's review against another edition
5.0
Severance is a surprisingly layered, sensitive and deeply humane novel following a young Asian American woman navigating the end of times. Part satire, part post-apocalyptic fiction and in part a commentary on modern-day consumerism and habit, Ling Ma examines the comfort we take in routine and ritual and wryly turns it on its head. In a world plagued by Shen Fever, the zombies aren’t the bloodthirsty monsters you’d expect, but people locked into a routine, some mundane task they repeat in a haze until their body gives out. The narrative follows Candace Chen alternating between her past, her parent’s immigrant narrative, her upbringing and job in a publishing firm and in the present where she’s trying to find some kind of normality with a band of survivors. Even as New York City, the majority of where the novel is set, gradually succumbs to this fever, Candace desperately clings to the fraying remains of civilization, continuing on with her office job until the last possible moment. That solitude that Ma examines is deeply affecting and haunting. I found this book seeping into my thoughts, occupying me even at times that I wasn’t reading it. It’s melancholic, profound, clever and ultimately a very moving book.
vdokk1's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
4.0
adoan's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
writing style incredibly boring; protagonist was not likeable; author lacked nuance considering the themes had potential to be explored; the entire plot could’ve been done in half the amount of pages
goblinsd's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lese's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
i think it would be easy to be upset with the plot of this book had i read it before covid. now i see it's more realistic than feels comfortable. the monotony and banal routine as a pandemic wreaks havoc. candace's voice was especially poignant as our disassociated point of view into this world.
rebeccasfantasyworld's review
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
robbo13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0