Abyss

by

Hardcover, 160 pages

Published by Doherty Associates, LLC, Tom..

(1 review)

Severance meets Lovecraft in this surreal tale of corporate horror and existential dread.

Joe always had potential, but he doesn't expect much, and he hopes that his new job as an admin assistant won't expect much of him. But when he enters the offices of Ponos—a company he's never heard of and knows nothing about—he discovers that potential is exactly what they want from him.

A feverish dive into the inhumanity of both late-stage capitalism and the crippling anxieties of modern life, Abyss adds a new level of meaning to 'wage slave'.

2 editions

reviewed Abyss by Nicholas Binge

Lovecraftian Severance

Abyss is my introduction to Nicholas Binge's work, and I'll admit to finding this critically acclaimed author overhyped if this book is indicative of his voice. This novella is marketed as Lovecraftian Severance and delivers on that premise. But the heady office environment and eldritch being that's eventually revealed aren't unique or thought provoking. Instead of using these popular ideas and elevating them, Binge scratched at the surface, leaving me disappointed and aching for a headier, more intense alternative. While I have my gripes, the prose was easy to delve into and the mysterious nature of the office kept me engaged. I simply expected more.

If you're looking for an easy read with Severance vibes and Lovecraftian beings, this one's for you.

Thank you to Tor Nightfire and NetGalley for the advanced copy.