Severance

Candace Chen, a millennial drone, has isolated herself in a Manhattan office tower and lives according to strict routines. Following the passing of her Chinese immigrant parents, Candace craves stability and security. Her daily routine consists of going to work, troubleshooting the teen-targeted Gemstone Bible, and watching movies in Greenpoint with her boyfriend.

Candace's mundane life is disrupted when a plague of biblical proportions sweeps New York, known as Shen Fever. The city becomes chaotic as families flee, companies shut down, and the subways stop running. Her bosses request that Candace assist as part of a dwindling skeleton crew with an end-date payoff, which ultimately leaves her alone and unfevered. She photographs the vacant city and posts her observations on her anonymous blog, NY Ghost.

Candace's independence is short-lived as she is soon met by a group of survivors, led by an IT tech named Bob. The group is travelling to a place called the Facility, where they will have everything they need to rebuild society. However, Candace carries a secret she knows Bob will use against her. She is forced to decide whether or not to escape from her rescuers.

Severance by Ling Ma is a quirky, heartwarming, satirical novel that exposes the rituals, routines, and missed opportunities of modern life. It also tells a moving family story and a coming-of-age tale. Above all, it celebrates the connections that inspire us to do more than just survive.

作者简介

BorninSanming,China,LinggrewupinUtah,Nebraska,andKansas.SheholdsanMFAfromCornellUniversity,whereshealsotaught.Currently,sheserveasanassistantprofessoratheralmamater,UniversityofChicago.