The Employ­ees: A Work­place Novel of the 22nd Century by Olga Ravn (translated by Martin Aitken)

Utilizing elements of the abstract and phenomenology, Ravn leads us down a path of corporate decisions and the unrest among coworkers over time.

Could I be a human if you called me one?

To me this book seems focused quite a bit on distance. The gap between human and humanoid, the empathy for each other. The gap between profit-focused business leaders and the employees who suffer from the choices. The many miles between Earth and the ship. The gap between what is known and unknown; the fantastic space that lessens with care or is widened with fear.

Of course, capitalism is a mainstay here too, a main focus of critique and examination. In a way it’s almost more poignant because most readers will be similar to the employees, but we’re forced to read through the lens of the corporate interviewer.

I enjoyed this! Also happy to read more translated fiction, as I really like seeing themes and concepts from parts of the world I am not living in. Will be keeping an eye out for more of Ravn’s work after this.