Severance by Ling Ma: A Comprehensive Overview
Ling Ma’s “Severance” is a captivating blend of dystopian fiction and a millennial coming-of-age story. It follows Candace Chen as she navigates work, relationships, and identity amidst a global pandemic. The novel explores themes of nostalgia, office culture, consumerism, and immigrant family sagas, and is both satirical and thought-provoking.
Overview of the Novel
Ling Ma’s “Severance” presents a unique post-apocalyptic narrative centered on Candace Chen, a millennial office worker navigating a world slowly succumbing to an incurable infection. The novel intricately weaves together two timelines: Candace’s life before the pandemic, marked by her monotonous job coordinating Bible production, and her experiences after, as she joins a group of survivors.
The story delves into themes of nostalgia and memory, with the infection causing individuals to become trapped in repetitive loops of their past routines. Ma’s work offers a satirical commentary on modern office culture, consumerism, and the rituals that define contemporary life. It also explores deeper themes of identity, connection, and the search for meaning in a world stripped bare.
Through Candace’s journey, “Severance” prompts readers to reflect on the value of human connection and the impact of our daily routines. The novel is both a moving family story and a quirky coming-of-adulthood tale, making it a compelling exploration of survival and the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Ling Ma: The Author
Ling Ma is a Chinese-American novelist and a professor at the University of Chicago, celebrated for her insightful and genre-bending narratives. Born in China, Ma immigrated to the United States and has since become a prominent voice in contemporary literature, exploring themes of identity, cultural displacement, and the human condition with a unique blend of satire and poignancy.
Her debut novel, “Severance,” garnered widespread acclaim, winning the Kirkus Prize and earning recognition as a New York Times Notable Book. The novel’s prescient exploration of a global pandemic resonated deeply with readers, solidifying Ma’s reputation as a perceptive observer of modern society. “Severance” originated from a short story written during her corporate job, reflecting her personal experiences with office culture and the feeling of being laid off.
Ma’s second book, “Bliss Montage,” further cemented her literary prowess, winning the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction and The Story Prize. With her distinctive voice and sharp social commentary, Ling Ma continues to captivate audiences and push the boundaries of contemporary fiction, earning her a MacArthur Fellowship in 2024.
Candace Chen: The Protagonist
Candace Chen, the central figure in Ling Ma’s “Severance,” is a first-generation American and millennial office worker navigating a world on the brink of collapse. She works as a Bible product coordinator, a job that highlights the absurdity and monotony of modern corporate culture. Candace is portrayed as somewhat detached and adrift, meandering through adulthood with a sense of quiet resignation.
The daughter of Chinese immigrants, Candace grapples with her identity and the weight of her parents’ expectations. She finds solace in photography, documenting the decaying world around her with a detached, almost clinical eye. Her emotional distance is partly a defense mechanism, shielding her from the grief of losing her parents and the overwhelming sense of societal breakdown.
As the Shen Fever pandemic sweeps through New York City, Candace remains at her job long after others have fled, driven by a combination of inertia and financial necessity. She eventually joins a group of survivors, but her past and her secrets continue to haunt her, making her a complex and compelling character in a world transformed by disaster.
Plot Summary: Before the Pandemic
Before the outbreak of the Shen Fever pandemic, “Severance” introduces us to Candace Chen, a young woman working a seemingly unremarkable job in New York City. She’s employed as a production coordinator for a Bible manufacturing company, overseeing the printing and shipping of Bibles to various countries. Candace’s life is characterized by routine and a sense of quiet detachment.
The narrative delves into Candace’s personal history, exploring her relationship with her recently deceased parents and her experiences as a first-generation American. Her parents’ immigrant experience and their aspirations for her future weigh heavily on her, shaping her perspective on work, life, and the pursuit of happiness.
We see Candace navigating the mundane realities of office life, the casual conversations, the corporate downsizing, and the pervasive sense of millennial malaise. Her relationships are fleeting, her ambitions undefined. This pre-pandemic existence highlights the rituals and routines of contemporary life, setting the stage for the dramatic shift that occurs as the world succumbs to the Shen Fever.
Plot Summary: During and After the Pandemic
As the Shen Fever sweeps across the globe, “Severance” charts Candace’s experiences as one of the few seemingly immune individuals. The fever turns people into repetitive, zombie-like figures, endlessly re-enacting mundane tasks from their past lives, trapped in loops of memory and routine. Despite the chaos, Candace continues to go to work, driven by a combination of habit, severance pay, and a strange sense of duty.
After the company shuts down, Candace joins a group of survivors led by Bob, a former IT worker with authoritarian tendencies. The group journeys towards a supposed safe haven called “the Facility,” facing dangers and challenges along the way. Candace grapples with her own memories and her pregnancy, while observing the dynamics within the group, the power struggles, and the sacrifices made for survival.
The post-pandemic world is a desolate landscape, stripped of its consumerist trappings but also its comforts and conveniences. Candace confronts the loss of civilization, the breakdown of social structures, and the ethical dilemmas that arise in the face of desperation. The journey tests her resilience and forces her to confront her past and her uncertain future.
Themes: Nostalgia and Memory
“Severance” deeply explores the themes of nostalgia and memory, particularly in the face of societal collapse. The Shen Fever, which turns people into mindless mimics of their past routines, serves as a powerful metaphor for the human tendency to cling to memories and rituals, even when they become empty or meaningless. The infected are trapped in endless loops of remembrance, unable to break free from the past.
Candace, too, is haunted by her memories, particularly those of her parents and her life before the pandemic. Her photography project, documenting abandoned objects, becomes a way for her to preserve and connect with the past. The novel questions the nature of memory, its reliability, and its power to shape our identities.
Ma suggests that nostalgia can be both comforting and debilitating. While it provides solace and a sense of continuity, it can also prevent us from fully engaging with the present and building a future. Candace must learn to reconcile her memories with her present reality in order to move forward and find meaning in a world irrevocably changed.
Themes: Modern Office Culture and Monotony
Ling Ma’s “Severance” meticulously dissects the themes of modern office culture and the soul-crushing monotony it often entails. Before the pandemic, Candace’s life revolves around her unfulfilling job as a Bible product coordinator. The repetitive nature of her work mirrors the larger societal trend of prioritizing productivity over personal fulfillment.
The novel satirizes the rituals and routines of office life, from pointless meetings to the constant pressure to conform. Candace’s detachment from her work reflects a widespread sense of alienation and disengagement in the modern workplace. The office becomes a symbol of the dehumanizing effects of late-stage capitalism.
Even after the collapse of society, the habits and routines ingrained by office culture persist, highlighting the extent to which these structures have shaped our identities. The survivors, in their own ways, recreate elements of the office environment, suggesting the difficulty of escaping the patterns of behavior imposed by modern work.
Themes: Consumerism and Rituals
In “Severance,” Ling Ma explores the pervasive influence of consumerism and the rituals that surround it. Before the pandemic, Candace’s life, like many millennials, is intertwined with consumer culture. She documents her experiences with a camera, turning everyday moments into curated content for online consumption. The novel questions whether these acts of consumption bring genuine satisfaction or simply fill a void.
The “fevered,” who are trapped in repeating loops of their routines, embody the extreme end of this consumerist cycle. They are forever stuck performing mundane tasks, driven by a desire for objects and experiences they can no longer attain. Their condition serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of a life defined by material possessions.
Even after the collapse of society, the survivors continue to engage in rituals, such as gathering supplies and establishing routines, which mirror the patterns of consumerism. These behaviors suggest that our attachment to consumer culture runs deep, shaping our identities and providing a sense of order in a chaotic world. The novel prompts us to consider the true value of our consumerist habits.
Satirical Elements in Severance
“Severance” employs satire to critique modern society’s absurdities, particularly those related to corporate culture and millennial existence. Ling Ma uses humor to expose the monotony and meaninglessness of Candace’s office job, where she coordinates the production of Bibles, highlighting the disconnect between faith and commerce. The repetitive nature of Candace’s work becomes a symbol of the soullessness of modern labor.
The novel satirizes the millennial generation’s obsession with social media and self-documentation. Candace’s constant photographing and filtering of her life reveal a desire for validation and a blurring of the line between reality and image. Ma also takes aim at the shallowness of contemporary relationships, portraying characters who struggle to form meaningful connections in a world saturated with superficial interactions.
Furthermore, “Severance” satirizes the consumerist mindset, depicting characters who seek fulfillment through material possessions and brand names. The “fevered” provide a dark commentary on this obsession, their repetitive actions highlighting the emptiness of a life devoted solely to consumption. Ling Ma uses satire to prompt readers to question the values and priorities of modern society.
Reception and Awards
“Severance” garnered widespread critical acclaim upon its release, earning numerous accolades and establishing Ling Ma as a prominent voice in contemporary literature. The novel won the 2018 Kirkus Prize for Fiction, a testament to its originality and compelling narrative. It was also recognized as a New York Times Notable Book of 2018, further solidifying its place among the year’s best literary works.
In addition to these honors, “Severance” was shortlisted for the PEN/Hemingway Award, highlighting its exceptional literary merit and its exploration of timely social issues. Critics praised Ma’s unique blend of dystopian elements, satire, and poignant character development. The novel’s exploration of millennial malaise, consumerism, and the immigrant experience resonated with readers and critics alike.
Reviewers lauded Ma’s sharp wit, insightful observations, and her ability to create a compelling narrative that is both humorous and deeply moving. “Severance” was celebrated for its originality and its ability to capture the anxieties and uncertainties of contemporary life, making it a significant contribution to modern literature.
Cultural Relevance and Interpretation
Ling Ma’s “Severance” has gained increasing cultural relevance, particularly in the wake of real-world events mirroring its dystopian themes. Its exploration of a pandemic, millennial anxieties, and the nature of work resonates deeply with contemporary audiences. The novel’s themes of nostalgia and memory are interpreted as responses to the rapid changes and uncertainties of modern life, prompting reflection on the value of connection and meaning.
The book’s portrayal of consumerism and ritualistic behavior is seen as a commentary on the emptiness and alienation that can arise from a hyper-commercialized society. Interpretations often focus on Candace’s journey as a search for identity and purpose in a world that often feels meaningless. The novel also offers a lens through which to examine the Asian American experience.
“Severance” invites discussions about the nature of work, particularly the monotony and alienation experienced by many in modern office environments. Ultimately, the novel’s cultural relevance stems from its ability to capture the anxieties and uncertainties of our time, inviting readers to contemplate their own roles in a rapidly changing world, and examine their own memories.
Comparison to Other Dystopian Novels
Ling Ma’s “Severance” distinguishes itself from traditional dystopian novels through its unique blend of satire, humor, and poignant reflection. Unlike overtly grim and cynical dystopias, “Severance” adopts a wry, offbeat tone, exploring the apocalypse through the lens of millennial malaise and corporate drudgery. While sharing thematic similarities with works like “Station Eleven” in its post-pandemic setting, “Severance” focuses more on the internal lives and emotional landscapes of its characters, particularly Candace Chen.
In contrast to the often grand, sweeping narratives of classic dystopias such as “1984” or “Brave New World,” “Severance” maintains a more intimate and personal scale, examining the impact of societal collapse on individual experiences. Its satirical elements differentiate it from more straightforward dystopian narratives, offering a critique of consumerism and modern work culture. Its exploration of nostalgia and memory sets it apart, highlighting the human need for meaning and connection in times of crisis. The novel’s focus on the Asian American experience adds another layer of depth.
Ling Ma’s Writing Style
Ling Ma’s writing style in “Severance” is characterized by its wry humor, sharp satire, and poignant observations on contemporary life. Her prose is often described as deadpan, creating a sense of detachment that mirrors the protagonist Candace’s own emotional distance. Ma seamlessly blends elements of realism with the surreal, crafting a world that is both familiar and unsettling.
Her use of language is precise and evocative, capturing the monotony of office work and the pervasive nature of consumerism. Ma’s narrative structure is also distinctive, interweaving Candace’s pre- and post-pandemic experiences to create a sense of fragmentation and disorientation. This technique allows her to explore themes of memory, nostalgia, and identity in a non-linear fashion. The novel’s tone is consistently ironic, highlighting the absurdity of modern rituals and the human desire for connection in a disconnected world. Her unique voice contributes to the novel’s cultural relevance.
