What were your thoughts on the book? Was it what you expected?
Explore the novel’s title. In addition to severance from a normal world of work, what else is severed in Candace’s life? What new connections does she form as a result of being severed?
As Candace navigates the business world and her family history, how does her understanding of her own identity shift? How does Mandarin serve as both a bridge and a barrier for her?
Candace chooses to inhabit L’Occitane in the Facility. If you had to be imprisoned in a mall, which store would you choose for your cell?
What is unique about the way Ling Ma weaves a darkly humorous thread through the story line? When did you find yourself laughing out loud? When did you find yourself worrying that a fungal apocalypse could actually happen?
What is the effect of the novel’s timeline? How does Ling Ma’s use of flashbacks stay true to the way memories reflect and illuminate each other?
As Candace learns how to shoot a gun and scavenge for necessities, she proves how determined she is to survive. What is the purpose of survival in the absence of quality of life? How do you personally define “quality of life”?
Severance is packed with references to beauty products, clothing stores and other brands that have defined American consumerism. After the pandemic, what replaces these labels in the survivors’ quest for comfort and camaraderie? When money becomes useless, what new forms of currency emerge?
If you had been in Candace’s situation, would you have left town with Jonathan?
Would you have accepted Spectra’s final contract --- and how committed would you be to making sure to fulfill it?
How is the novel shaped by the presence of the undead who, instead of being predators like traditional zombies, are stuck in a mindless, harmless act? If you succumbed to Shen Fever, what repetitive act would your body perform?
How does Bob derive power? Which of his followers did you trust the most, and which the least? How does their bureaucracy compare to Spectra’s?
From Candace’s NY Ghost blog to the nostalgia-laden stalkings, the survivors crave a connection to what they’ve lost. Under similar circumstances, which memories and images would you want to stockpile? How did you react to the closing scene? What do you imagine will happen next?
Compare Severance with [our previous book] Station Eleven. What were the similarities and differences? How did each approach survival and the end of modern day civilization?
Explore the novel’s title. In addition to severance from a normal world of work, what else is severed in Candace’s life? What new connections does she form as a result of being severed?
As Candace navigates the business world and her family history, how does her understanding of her own identity shift? How does Mandarin serve as both a bridge and a barrier for her?
Candace chooses to inhabit L’Occitane in the Facility. If you had to be imprisoned in a mall, which store would you choose for your cell?
What is unique about the way Ling Ma weaves a darkly humorous thread through the story line? When did you find yourself laughing out loud? When did you find yourself worrying that a fungal apocalypse could actually happen?
What is the effect of the novel’s timeline? How does Ling Ma’s use of flashbacks stay true to the way memories reflect and illuminate each other?
As Candace learns how to shoot a gun and scavenge for necessities, she proves how determined she is to survive. What is the purpose of survival in the absence of quality of life? How do you personally define “quality of life”?
Severance is packed with references to beauty products, clothing stores and other brands that have defined American consumerism. After the pandemic, what replaces these labels in the survivors’ quest for comfort and camaraderie? When money becomes useless, what new forms of currency emerge?
If you had been in Candace’s situation, would you have left town with Jonathan?
Would you have accepted Spectra’s final contract --- and how committed would you be to making sure to fulfill it?
How is the novel shaped by the presence of the undead who, instead of being predators like traditional zombies, are stuck in a mindless, harmless act? If you succumbed to Shen Fever, what repetitive act would your body perform?
How does Bob derive power? Which of his followers did you trust the most, and which the least? How does their bureaucracy compare to Spectra’s?
From Candace’s NY Ghost blog to the nostalgia-laden stalkings, the survivors crave a connection to what they’ve lost. Under similar circumstances, which memories and images would you want to stockpile?
How did you react to the closing scene? What do you imagine will happen next?
Compare Severance with [our previous book] Station Eleven. What were the similarities and differences? How did each approach survival and the end of modern day civilization?