Ling Ma

Ling Ma is a Chinese-American author best known for her debut novel 'Severance', which is a satirical science fiction exploring themes of work, immigration, and global pandemics. The novel received critical acclaim, winning several awards including the Kirkus Prize for Fiction. Ma's work often delves into issues of identity, displacement, and the human condition, making her a significant voice in contemporary literature.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Severance

    This novel is a satirical take on the post-apocalyptic genre, blending elements of horror, humor, and social commentary. It tells the story of Candace Chen, a millennial office drone in New York City, who finds herself one of the few survivors of a global pandemic known as Shen Fever. The disease turns its victims into repetitive, predictable creatures stuck in loops of their former routines. As society crumbles around her, Candace joins a group of survivors led by the enigmatic Bob, embarking on a journey to find a new sanctuary. Through Candace's eyes, the narrative explores themes of nostalgia, capitalism, and the search for meaning in a pre- and post-apocalyptic world, all while questioning what it truly means to be alive in a world that's slowly fading away.

  2. 2. Bliss Montage

    This collection melds the surreal with the everyday, weaving tales that blur the lines between reality and the absurd. The stories explore themes of identity, displacement, and belonging, often through the lens of immigrant experiences and the complexities of being caught between two cultures. With a blend of humor and poignancy, the narrative delves into the lives of its characters, presenting a montage of experiences that challenge the conventional, question the familiar, and invite readers into a world where the ordinary is intertwined with the fantastical. The result is a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition and the search for meaning within it.