A man walks on the street in Macau, China wearing a protective mask to prevent infection by the coronavirus.

The novel Severance, by Ling Ma, is a fast-paced, apocalyptic story. It was the perfect novel for me to read while recovering from my concussion. I read it way back in the early days of my recovery, when my brain was having trouble processing anything difficult or deep.

But this novel is suddenly way deeper than I had bargained for.

I keep a stack of books next to my computer that I intend to preview on this blog. The next one in the stack, slated for today, is Severance.

This is reminding me of another strange little problem I have. The last time I ordered in Chinese food, the fortune cookies hit a bit too close to home. So I’ve been avoiding ordering in Chinese food. Because sometimes it’s been a long day, and I just want a meal, and not necessarily a deeply cosmic encounter.

Maybe that’s just a personal problem. However, in a similar way, I feel cosmically creepy about previewing Severance today. The novel is about an outbreak of a fatal disease that originates in Shenzhen, China. The disease is transmitted through fungal spores.

So it’s different from the coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China, and is spread through coughing and sneezing.

Sometimes you just want to get lost in an apocalyptic novel, and not speculate on terrifying, present-day events.

But here we are. And this is life. So if you want to read a fun, fast-paced book, check out Severance by Ling Ma. And if you want to learn about ongoing tragic events in real life, click here to read the latest updates on the coronavirus.

And if you want a potentially cosmic encounter with your future, plus lucky numbers and a yummy meal, order in Chinese food.

My heart goes out to all those who are suffering from the coronavirus and its effects. Wishing everyone well. Sending blessings and peace and love.

Has anything hit too close to home in your life recently?