But their group is more complex than they initially seem. She is found by a group of survivors - other immune people - taking Chen to their facility, where they promise she will be safe. In the present day, Chen - who readers discover is immune from the disease - is near death on a highway in Pennsylvania. Eventually, Chen discovers that she has fulfilled her contract and is one of the last people to escape New York City. And eventually, her entire company.Īt the suggestion of her ex-boyfriend, Chen decides to take up her old hobby once again and begins to take photos of the deserted New York City, something which she posts about in a blog. Eventually, as her colleagues succumb to the disease, she is the only person left in the office.

With no family in the same country as her, Chen doesn't want to leave New York City as most people do, so she stays. After all, no reputable company closes down in the face of a pandemic. Businesses have begun to shut down, but Chen's company pays her to stay in the office to make themselves look good. But the aforementioned pandemic, which had long been looming in the United States, is quickly growing out of control. In another flashback, Chen discovers that she is pregnant with her boyfriend Jonathan's baby (the two broke up just before Chen found out the news). Eventually, running out of money and being exceptionally unfulfilled, Chen decides to take a job at a company that produces high-quality versions of the Bible with unique design variations. In fact, she went to New York City after her parents’ death (her parents left her a sizeable inheritance which she used to drift through life). But Chen doesn't stay in Salt Lake City for very long. Chen and her parents immigrated from China to Salt Lake City, Utah in her youth as her parents sought a better life for everyone. The novel also features flashbacks of Chen's life. At the start of the novel, Ma lets readers know that society has collapsed as a result of the Shen Fever, a disease (turned pandemic) that makes those infected with it repeat routines without thought until they eventually die. The start of Severance introduces readers to Candace Chen, the main character and protagonist of the novel. Written by people who wish to remain anonymous

We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community.

Ma ling severance