A review by kelleykamanda
Severance by Ling Ma

challenging dark emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

4.5

When I first picked up this book, I was under the impression that it would be funny. As a book about the pandemic, something funny… while living in a pandemic… seemed enticing. This book is not funny. With that said though, it was incredibly engaging and immensely thoughtful. The author’s ability to find themes of race and family with additional themes of identity and cult mentality, all through two different storylines was impressive. An incredibly well written book. I’d recommend it to anyone in the right headspace. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Racism, and Terminal illness

Moderate: Drug use, Sexual content, Racism, and Xenophobia

Minor: Alcohol and Suicide

Though this book was written before the pandemic, it is about a global pandemic. At times it is very eerily similar. Due to this, many people might find this triggering.