China Book Club: 'Severance' by Ling Ma

Published in 2018 to a wealth of critical acclaim, 'Severance' is about a pandemic that comes from China and brings the world to a standstill - really.

Candace Chen is an unfulfilled Bible product coordinator, based in New York. The novel follows the challenges she faces before and after the incurable infection slowly obliterates global civilization.

To give herself a better chance of making it, Candance joins a group of survivors, led by the power-hungry IT tech Bob. They’re traveling to a place called the Facility, where, Bob promises, they will have everything they need to start society anew. But Candace is carrying a secret she knows Bob will exploit.