Severance on AppleTV took the world by storm when it premiered in 2022, and the nearly three-year wait for the show’s return has led to countless rewatches, online theories, and unbearable anticipation.
For those unfamiliar with the show, stop what you’re doing and go check it out. No, seriously. This psychological thriller follows Mark S. (Adam Scott) as he lives a split life. In one, he’s a lonely husband, grieving the loss of his wife. But when he clocks into work at the mysterious Lumon Industries, he’s a chipper team leader determined to reach goals and get rewards.
How can he be these two seemingly different people at the same time? Mark S. has had a surgical procedure that allows him to achieve the ideal work/life balance. He has undergone a procedure to split — or sever — his brain’s consciousness to divide his work memories from his personal memories. At work, he doesn’t know the grief he faces in the world outside of the corporation. In his outside life, he’s not quite sure what he does for a living, or what goals Lumon is working toward…
Eager for the new Severance season, and craving some more stories with workplace drama, commentary on capitalism and burnout, or looking for something to read while you procrastinate during work hours? Check out these nine novels set in or around the workplace.
Severance by Ling Ma
It’s only natural to start with a novel called Severance, which has no relation to the TV show at all. It is, however, a mind-bending psychological thriller about a millennial in the workplace at the end of the world. First-generation American Candace Chen is devoted to her job, selling and re-branding Bibles for a company trying to make a profit. She’s on autopilot, showing up to work, trying to be fulfilled, and so when a plague sweeps the city and families flee, Candace isn’t sure how to break from her routine. So, she keeps coming to work, with the promise of a big payout at the end of her contract.
Eventually, still unfevered, Candace must take to the road, where she joins up with a group of survivors, led by the power-hungry IT tech Bob. Can this company of people start society anew? Or will dark secrets come to the surface, and will Candace have to escape from the very people who rescued her? This dark and humorous satire tackles the reality of modern life, the ever-turning gears of capitalism and the lives of millennials.
The Very Nice Box by Eve Gleichman and Laura Blackett
At STÄDA, a trendy furniture company in Brooklyn, Ava Simon is working through grief. Her girlfriend died in a tragedy that turned her life upside down and closed her off from the world. Mat Putnam, Ava’s new boss, might be the key to opening back up again. He’s young and magnetic, and their relationship blossoms unexpectedly.
But when Ava realizes Mat isn’t exactly who he said he was, things take a turn for the worse. Ava must figure out how to unpack her grief while working at STÄDA, navigating insincere wellness culture, and dealing with Mat’s toxic masculinity. This blend of office drama, romantic comedy and thriller takes place in a parody of that one famous Swedish superstore. If you want a tech-startup, going-off-the-grid, queer romantic satire, check out the authors’ latest novel, Trust & Safety.
Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour
Darren is content with his life in Bed-Stuy, but his mother wants more for him. But when an exclusive invitation from the CEO of NYC’s hottest tech startup lands in his lap, Darren is ready to reinvent himself as part of the sales team. So, Darren takes it a step further and invents a new identity for himself as Buck, the tough go-getter. As the only Black person in the company, Darren does what he can to survive this cult-like company with questionable motives. Soon after a tragedy at home, Buck’s plan to infiltrate the company with young employees of color is underway. This satirical dive into race and the American workforce is a cautionary tale that reminds readers to chase their dreams, no matter what gets in their way.
Eat the Ones you Love by Sarah Maria Griffin
Nobody wants to move back into their parents’ house, but Shell Pine has no choice. She lost her job, broke it off with her fiance, and is pretty much out of options. So the “Help Wanted” sign in the local flower shop window looks about as good as it’s going to get. The attractive florist, Neve, catches Shell’s eye right away and the future begins to brighten.
In a twist any Little Shop of Horrors fan will love — the flower shop isn’t what it appears. An orchid, called Baby, is hungry for something, or someone, that will finally satisfy him. And he has his heart, and hunger, set on Neve. Can Shell protect Neve from being consumed? Exploring desire, the day-to-day of retail, and class, this is a near-future novel you’ll want to devour.
I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue
Jolene is a tech-savvy, highly capable administrator for Supershops Incorporated. But she is not a joiner; she doesn’t make attempts to engage with her colleagues during working hours, lunch or coffee breaks and certainly has no desire to socialize after hours. Jolene vents some frustration and amuses herself by inserting snarky, sarcastic messages in replies sent to her co-workers — in white font, so they remain invisible. As a punishment from HR after being found out, she’s restricted from sending emails.
But in a strange twist, the software meant to restrict her inadvertently provides her with access to the entire department’s business and private emails and direct messages. Months of reading emails detailing personal lives and concerns allow Jolene to realize she is not the only person with problems. Can she somehow use this to save her job, and her personal life? Workplace romance, awkward mixups and heartwarming character development make this a great read.
Hard Copy by Fien Veldman, trans. Hester Velmans
This book’s main character spends her days around printers. As a customer service assistant, she passes the time by printing letters for customers. In the dark of her office, she talks to her only friend, sharing secrets and opening up about her personal life, history and aspirations. The only problem? Her friend is the printer.
Of course, to everyone else in the office, it looks like she’s losing her mind. Placed on leave in order to recover, this young woman misses her printer friend dearly. And as it turns out, he misses her too — and he’s determined to get her back.
Anindita Ghose, author of The Illuminated praises the book, “Rounded with sharp observations and surprising humour, Hard Copy is an incisive commentary on social isolation – a young woman’s desperate search for connection in these late-capitalist times.”
Help Wanted by Adelle Waldman
This humorous workplace caper follows Team Movement, coworkers at New York’s big box store, Town Square. At 3:55am every morning, Team Movement clocks in, unloads trucks, stocks shelves, and do whatever they can to earn a living. The trouble is, hours are dwindling, and even working two or three jobs isn’t enough to keep them afloat. So when rumor gets around that their manager is leaving and a position might be opening up, the employees don’t compete for the role — they team up.
With a scheme they just might be able to pull off, these low-wage workers are ready to do whatever it takes. An ensemble cast of realistic characters makes for a riveting novel commenting on the systemic exploitation of everyday people trying to make a living in today’s economy.
Ripe by Sarah Rose Etter
Cassie is trapped in a corporate nightmare. She thought her Silicon Valley startup job would be a dream come true, but it’s filled with toxic managers, exhausting schedules, and morally questionable projects. Those who aren’t cut out for the start-up world live in poverty, unhoused, setting themselves on fire or jumping in front of trains. Is sticking around really worth it for Cassie?
When she discovers she’s pregnant at the same time as a her boss assigns a new project — something bordering on illegal — things get complicated. Cassie has to decide how much she’s willing to put up with, and where to draw the line. Otherwise, she’ll slip even further into the growing spiral of depression and anxiety she’s been clawing her way out of for years. Ripe explores what it’s like to be a millennial in a late-capitalist society.
Hot Singles in your Area by Jordan Shiveley
Noah needs a new job, and the advertisement proclaiming “no experience needed” is the perfect opening. Without regard for what the job could be, he signs his life away to a media company. Meanwhile, Malachia wanders the empty streets of the City of Silence, a lonesome human with no companions left in the city and a long-gone lover. When she stumbles on a figure hunched over the typewriter, she wonders if this could be the connection that will bring her back to her love.
Noah and Malachia work together to understand their realities and the sinister media powerhouse that looms over them. This bizarre and unusual story is packed with workplace satire, dubious job offers, and complex blends of fantasy and body horror.
English (US) · 