The Employees

by Olga Ravn
The Employees cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
Technical
  • ID: 3999
  • Added: 2025-10-20
  • Updated: 2025-10-20
  • ISBN: 9780811231367
  • Publisher: New Directions Publishing
  • Published: 2022-02-01
  • Reviews: 3

The Employees takes readers on a unique journey aboard the Six-Thousand Ship, where the crew—both human and humanoid—express their grievances and observations through a series of staff reports and memos. As the ship encounters strange objects from the planet New Discovery, the crew becomes inexplicably attached to them, leading to mounting tensions and the threat of mutiny. Olga Ravn's prose is both chilling and exhilarating, offering a profound exploration of what it means to be human while delivering a biting critique of productivity-driven life. /n/n The novel's structure and tone are remarkably original, blending humor with existential dread. It was shortlisted for prestigious awards like the International Booker Prize and the Ursula K. Le Guin Prize, highlighting its literary significance and innovative approach to science fiction.

Reviews
LA Review of Books · 2022-06-04
profound 4.20

The novel delves into the human and humanoid employees' questioning of their work and humanity, offering a profound exploration of identity.

The LA Review of Books focuses on the profound themes of humanity and identity in The Employees. The reviewer appreciates how the novel makes both human and humanoid employees question their relationship to work and their own humanity. This exploration is seen as a significant strength, making the book a deep and meaningful read that resonates with contemporary issues.

Quick quotes

    The human and humanoid employees begin to question their relationship to their work and their humanity (or lack thereof).

    The novel offers a profound exploration of identity.

    This questioning is a significant strength, making the book a deep and meaningful read.

Stargazer Online · 2021-05-28
enthusiastic 4.50

The format of employee statements adds a unique layer to the narrative, and the language is both engaging and intriguing.

Stargazer Online raves about The Employees, praising its unusual format of employee statements which add depth to the story. The reviewer loves the engaging and intriguing language used throughout the novel. They find the structure refreshing and the content deeply engaging, making it a standout read.

Quick quotes

    I loved this one! The format was unusual, structured as a series of employee statements, all part of a workplace commission.

    The language was both engaging and intriguing.

    The book is a standout read with its refreshing structure and deep content.

The Guardian · 2021-05-12
thought-provoking 4.00

The novel is a disconcerting space opera that satirizes corporate language and late-capitalist workplaces. It offers a unique perspective on humanity and labor in the 22nd century.

The Guardian's review highlights how The Employees is both a quotidian space opera and a sharp satire of corporate culture. The reviewer appreciates the audacious take on workplace dynamics and the late-capitalist environment, finding it both disconcerting and thought-provoking. They also note the novel's exploration of humanity and labor, making it a compelling read that challenges conventional narratives about work and identity.

Quick quotes

    The Employees is not only a disconcertingly quotidian space opera; it's also an audacious satire of corporate language and the late-capitalist workplace.

    The novel offers a unique perspective on humanity and labor in the 22nd century.

    Ravn's work is a compelling read that challenges conventional narratives about work and identity.

Appears in Lists