A review by larnrosemurgy
Severance by Ling Ma

emotional hopeful reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Yet another pandemic book that is a wild time to read post-pandemic. The entire story felt very meditative while reading, with the protagonist weaving in and out of past and present within chapters and even paragraphs. Her whole deal seems to be her comfort in the monotony and finding solace in her past in the midst of this empty world— though her life before the fever was essentially the same, just framed differently. Plus, the author’s take on the “fevered” is a really good allegory for this meaningless routine we all fall into, but the fact that we find comfort in the stability of it gives it meaning, you know? I feel like I’m back in English class.

Anyways, this book was more of a mental exercise in calmness for me than anything else, it’s lack of stakes isn’t necessarily bad, just not quite what I was in the mood for.
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